I never realized so many adults sleep with a favorite stuffed animal.
By Marie Coyle
@MarieCoyle (29394)
April 12, 2023 10:49pm CST
A friend of mine told me her sister, who is in her 40's, sleeps with her teddy bear. When she is gone overnight anywhere, teddy goes along, too. I have not ever been aware of adults sleeping with stuffed animals, but I guess it's a real thing.
Supposedly, some 40% of adults actually do sleep with one. And close to the same percentage of adults have one or more stuffed animals put away from their childhood.
I do still have my old stuffed teddy. He was a gift to me when I was born. I don't recall sleeping with him, but I was told I did until I was about 6 or 7. Then he got put away. I don't have any other toys from my childhood, but I do have my teddy. He's old...had to have new eyes once. Kind of fragile. No, I don't sleep with him.
Different people said it gave them some feelings of comfort to sleep with them, a feeling of peace and contentment. Well, I guess that's fine, whatever works. Different strokes for different folks!
20 people like this
21 responses
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
13 Apr 23
Pretty has a stuffed animal she sleeps with but doesn't take it on trips with her. Until we moved to this house, I still had a lot of toys from my childhood. When Pretty sorted what could come with us and what couldn't, she put my toys into the boxes/bags to go to the thrift store. *shrug* We knew we wouldn't have room for too much extra here.
The stuffed animals I bought for her when she was little and the stuffed animals that were gifts to me when I was growing up are all packed in totes out in the garage. If we ever get a bigger house, they will go back on display, like they were at our last house.
4 people like this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
Well, it sounds like you have quite a few, hopefully someday, you will have a place to display them all.
2 people like this
@DaddyEvil (137142)
• United States
13 Apr 23
@MarieCoyle We actually do. They just aren't as important as our babies that sit in the chair in the living room.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
@DaddyEvil
I understand. Sometimes, certain things like that just make a person feel good.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (460346)
• Switzerland
13 Apr 23
@MarieCoyle I was researching for Italy and I found statistics (in Italian). Only 5% of the kids in rural areas sleep with their "teddy bear" (or a blanket or other stuffed toys) compared to 35% of kids in less rural areas. It seems no adults in Italy.
1 person likes this
@LadyDuck (460346)
• Switzerland
13 Apr 23
@MarieCoyle Both my brother and I never went to bed with a stuffed toy. I think it's more a habit in your country. My niece used to let her dog sleep on her feet, but she also never took a stuffed toy to bed. I noticed many kids (even 3 years old and older) sucking their thumb in your country. This was also a surprise to me.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
@LadyDuck
I never thought of it. My kids had their favorite stuffed animal, but like me, it was given up in childhood and put away.
None of mine sucked their thumb. I didn't have to deal with that. But I have seen babies suck their thumbs shortly after birth sometimes.
1 person likes this
@toniganzon (72279)
• Philippines
13 Apr 23
Oh I knew a lot of adults do that. I also did it with a favorite doll that was gifted to me by my boyfriend when I was in my 20s. But when I had my son, I seemed to have lost interest in that doll as well.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
There is nothing like the real deal...I would have ditched the doll for the baby, too! 
@1creekgirl (40635)
• United States
13 Apr 23
I never slept with stuffed animals, but my cousin gave me a little stuffed dog I named Wolfie after I was diagnosed with cancer in December. He's perfect for softly supporting my arm and I sleep with him every night!
1 person likes this
@1creekgirl (40635)
• United States
13 Apr 23
@MarieCoyle Thanks, Marie. It would be better if I could eat. I have thrush on my tongue which makes food taste even worse than the chemo does. Picking up med for it tomorrow.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
Awe...I am glad Wolfie is helping you through this terrible time.
I hope today is a good day for you, Vicki.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
@1creekgirl
Oh, thrush is so hard to get over. I hope the meds you get work for you!
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118791)
• Gainesville, Florida
15 Apr 23
My daughter has a handful of stuffed animals on her bed during the day, but she doesn't sleep with them at night. She also has a little stuffed dog that she has had since she was a little baby, and she used to sleep with that one all the time. But, like you said above, it started to show its age and become a little fragile, so she now keeps it safely in her closet. She refuses to ever get rid of it.
1 person likes this
@moffittjc (118791)
• Gainesville, Florida
18 Apr 23
@MarieCoyle I told her she’s not allowed to ever get rid of it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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18 Apr 23
@moffittjc
She will be very glad to have it later on in her life, your advice is good, Jeff.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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17 Apr 23
If it makes her heart happy to keep it, it's worth it. I'm not ditching my teddy, either.
1 person likes this
@TheHorse (207500)
• Walnut Creek, California
14 Apr 23
@MarieCoyle Honestly, they tasted kind of like chicken even when they were alive.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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14 Apr 23
I am glad to hear you store your ex girlfriends properly in the freezer, so they don't spoil. 
1 person likes this
@youless (112164)
• Guangzhou, China
13 Apr 23
When I was a child, I had a lot of stuffed toys in my bed. Even I had a few of them when I lived in the university dorm. My son has a polar bear stuffed toy since he was a baby. He loves that bear and we even travelled with this bear
Now he is an university student but he also keeps this bear in his bed. It's alright for me. We all have a child at heart
Now he is an university student but he also keeps this bear in his bed. It's alright for me. We all have a child at heart1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
I see nothing wrong with his bear.
If it gives a person some peace and comfort, there is nothing wrong with that.
1 person likes this
@Jenaisle (14079)
• Philippines
13 Apr 23
I don't have a cuddly bear as a sleeping companion, but I have my favorite cuddle pillow. Its scent and softness makes me feel safe and comfortable. But I don't bring it with me when I sleep in another place. I guess there are people who feel the same way as I do?
Have a nice weekend.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
I am of the opinion that a cuddle pillow or a stuffed animal is a healthy thing, if it makes a person feel safe, why not?
1 person likes this
@rakski (112925)
• Philippines
13 Apr 23
@MarieCoyle oh yes, I heard of it. I will try to see if we have here
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
Here in the US they have something called a body pillow. It's like 4-5 foot long, it's huge. If you buy one, you can even get pillow covers for them to match your bedding. Many people sleep with those to supposedly help their back or aches.
1 person likes this
@RasmaSandra (74074)
• Daytona Beach, Florida
13 Apr 23
Stuffed animals are a comforting thing just as long as you don't go overboard. I have a collection of small stuffed animals my husband brought for me at one time from trips he took and have them sitting on a bedside table,
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
I think that's nice. As long as you enjoy them, that's all that matters.
1 person likes this
@Dena91 (15934)
• United States
13 Apr 23
I haven't slept with a stuffed teddy bear since I was 6-7.
I found one at a thrift shop and bought it when we first got Buttons as a kitten. She was thrown in our yard, and Mike eventually got her to come inside. She slept with it until she was 2-3 years old.
When I noticed she stopped snuggling with it I put it in the other room. One day she kept going to where it was, looking for it, so I brought it back out for her. She passed away in 2021. I still have the teddy bear out. It brings me comfort knowing how much she loved it.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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14 Apr 23
Oh, Dena. That is such a sweet story, thanks for sharing it with us!
1 person likes this
@MoonMaa (571)
• United States
13 Apr 23
I used to love stuffed animals as a kid. I have one now who is named "Puffy" who sleeps at the end of my bed. My nephew came over and tried to take Puffy from me. LOL I had to hide Puffy. I have always loved soft things: blankets, clothes, etc. Don't judge me. LOL
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
Oh, I'm a complete sucker for soft things. Especially those super soft blankets in cold weather. I would not judge, I am the same.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
I agree, so harmless, so simple, just a bit of comfort.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
I don't know of any adults in my family that do this, but the little ones still do.
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
Judy, I agree! In the turmoil we are trying to live in, if it gives someone some peace and comfort and happiness, that has to be a good thing.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
Yes, it could.
There is nothing wrong with seeking comfort.
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
My teddy was put away for years. I now display him on a small dresser, it's my room, and I do like seeing him there. So that's where he resides for now. He has not demanded any breakfast, at least not yet!
1 person likes this
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
I think that is fine. If it's right for you, it's a good thing, Valerie.
@MarieCoyle (29394)
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13 Apr 23
I am not tossing mine, either. It means a lot to me, one of the very few things I have from my childhood.
