16 Best Stuffed Animals for Babies, According to Parents

The best loveys can be soothing for babies and toddlers alike. My 2-year-old daughter loves soft swatches of fabric to rub against her face as she unwinds. Featuring an ultra-soft mini blanket paired with a plush giraffe head, this security blanket offers the soft, snuggly feel she loves. In fact, in her nanny share, her buddy owned this exact Hudson Baby lovey.

My daughter constantly borrowed it, happily cuddling it around the house until her friend requested it back! Christine also agrees that it’s an infant staple: “This was my go-to for my older son (in the lion version), and it was a simple, classic lovey that he loved to clutch in his baby bouncer,” she says. When it inevitably collects its fair share of drool, snot, tears and mud, simply toss it into the washing machine.

Age rating: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Machine washable: Yes

When you’re little, it doesn’t get much better than a soft, squishy animal to hug—and this delightfully under-stuffed plushie is about as sweet as they come. I knew a floppy buddy like this was the right pick for my kiddo because whenever she gets excited, scared or totally overwhelmed, her instinct is to give something a big squeeze. The Mary Meyer Snuggables collection is made for those big feelings, featuring a perfectly slouchy tummy paired with gently weighted hands and paws.

As a safety-obsessed mom, I always double-check the eyes on plushies (and recommend you do the same), since loose parts can become a choking hazard. Mary Meyer looks out for our kiddos here, too—rather than being glued on, the plastic eyes are sonic-welded in place, meaning they’re securely fused to the fabric so they can’t easily be pulled loose.

Age rating: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Machine washable: Yes

Squishable is the ultimate choice for parents who know that, despite their carefully curated registry, their baby will bypass the teddy and fixate on something adorably quirky—like a big round moth, a plump caterpillar or a squishy slice of pizza. Despite their silly, unconventional concepts, Squishables still feature big friendly eyes and sweet smiles that make them irresistibly cute. Plus, their ultra-plush stuffing makes them extra huggable, while features like stalk eyes or dangly legs give little fingers the perfect appendage to grip for fine-motor development. Squishable collaborates with independent artists to design their whimsical plushies, and for every photo fans share of their favorite Squishable, the brand donates a dollar to charity.

We were gifted a Squishable after a memorable hike with friends on a trail littered with big, slimy banana slugs. Lo and behold, a yellow, squishy (and thankfully non-slimy!) Squishable banana slug arrived at our door. At 6 months old, my daughter held him tight by his antennae. Now, at two, she wraps her whole arms around him every night at bedtime—he was even a guest of honor at her recent birthday party.

*Age rating: 0+ months | *Batteries required:* No | Machine washable: No

Care Bears were a sweet fixture of my childhood, and I'm sure I'm not the only mom for whom that's the case. Decades later, their pastel colors and cheerful designs make them as huggable as ever. Available in both classic plush and an extra-fluffy cozy fabric, this medium-sized plushie is firm enough to sit upright on a nursery shelf, yet soft enough to join your toddler for tea parties, teeth-brushing routines or bedtime cuddles.

Beyond the nostalgia and adorable aesthetic, Care Bears are a great tool for teaching little ones about big feelings. With dozens of different belly badges representing distinct moods and traits—like Funshine, Cheer, and Grumpy—they help toddlers explore an emotional vocabulary far beyond basic “happy” and “sad.” “Sometimes it is much easier for a child to tell me, ‘Bear is scared,’ than to say, ‘I’m scared,’” says speech pathologist Luba Patlakh. “That gives us an opening to talk about feelings, coping strategies, and problem-solving without putting the child directly on the spot.”

Age rating: 12+ months | Batteries required: No | Machine washable: Yes

This plush toy features a muted, vintage color palette and sweet linen accents. The whimsical, lifelike design makes it feel like a little storybook friend—perfect for imaginative play or adding a touch of nature to baby’s nursery. “One Christmas, Santa brought my kids a Mon Ami duck, and it was an instant hit,” shares Christine, a contributing writer and editor for The Bump. Her kiddos especially love Mon Ami’s cuddly touches, like its ultra-soft body and floppy feet. Whether perched on a nursery bookshelf or tucked into a toddler’s arm for bedtime stories, Mon Ami has an old-world charm that we adore.

Age rating: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Machine washable: No

“The first bear I bought for my son was from Steiff,” Christine shares, and she’s far from alone. The iconic brand invented the Teddy Bear in 1902, and has continued to make top-tier stuffed animals ever since. In fact, gifting a Steiff bear as a baby’s first plushie is a beloved tradition in Germany, meant to welcome a newborn with a keepsake that lasts a lifetime.

The beloved bears are hand-crafted by talented artisans, this sweet bear is made using super-soft fabrics and has stitched features for safety. We love that this plush toy is certified as free of harmful substances by an independent testing organization. It comes in pink, blue and classic beige and even has the words “my first Steiff” embroidered on its paw. How cute is that?

Age rating: 0+ months | Batteries required: No | Machine washable: Yes

Some of the best stuffed animals for toddlers feature elements that spark pretend play. Case in point: This darling baby giraffe that comes with a diaper, bottle, and pacifier. Seeing your toddler taking care of another “baby” isn’t just ridiculously cute or fun for them—occupational therapist Brittany Ferri says taking care of a plush buddy helps build important skills and build early empathy.

Age rating: 18+ months | Batteries required: No | Machine washable: No

For any dino-loving kid (or any kid who just loves a good cuddle), this 10-inch triceratops is an easy win. As part of the hugely popular Squishmallows line, Jerome has that signature marshmallow-soft feel and perfectly squishy texture that kids of all ages are drawn to.

He also excels as a source of comfort when little ones aren’t feeling their best. “A friend gifted my son this dinosaur stuffed animal when he was sick last year, and it’s been one of his go-to comfort toys ever since,” Christine shares. Jerome is lightweight, easy to hold and features a sweet, approachable design that makes him especially lovable. Whether your toddler needs a soft place to lean during quiet time or a soothing buddy to hold during sick days, this plush pal delivers ultimate comfort.

Age rating: 18+ months | Batteries required: No | Machine washable: No

Every kid gets their sensory fix in a different way. Mine is all about deep pressure—she’ll cannonball off the couch into a pile of pillows and beg to be wrapped up like a burrito. If that sounds like your kid too, a slightly weighted stuffie can be a nice fit. It gives them a grounding feeling that can bring comfort and calm, such as helping a kiddo sit calmly during circle time at school, Ferri says. However, she adds, hold off until the toddler years, once your child can sit up on their own and has the arm strength to move and position it themselves.

This plush octopus is a great option to reach for. It has eight floppy tentacles, each featuring a different fabric. From sequins and satin to corduroy and fluffy fur, tots can dive in and explore a variety of textures. Plus, hidden inside each tentacle is a small marble that kids can push up and down to ease anxiety and work on their attention span.

Age rating: 3+ years | Batteries required: No | Machine washable: Yes