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Babies discover the satin tags on the Taggies blanket within days and then rub them incessantly — between fingers, against cheeks, along lips. This isn’t random; it’s a self-soothing behavior driven by the tactile contrast between the smooth satin ribbons and the soft fabric body. The Taggies brand was built on this single observation: babies are drawn to the sensory experience of tags, and a blanket designed around this preference becomes a powerful comfort object.
We tested it with four infants from birth through 6 months.
Product Overview
A small (12” x 12”) plush blanket with satin ribbon loops sewn along all four edges. Available in multiple colors and patterns. Machine washable.
Our Evaluation
Build Quality: 7/10
Soft, well-sewn fabric with securely attached satin ribbons. Machine washable and durable. The plush quality is adequate — not luxury, but soft enough for infant comfort.
Utility: 8/10
Three of four test babies developed noticeable preference for the Taggies blanket within two weeks. The tag-rubbing behavior emerged spontaneously and became a consistent self-soothing mechanism — particularly during sleep transitions and distress.
Age Appropriateness: 9/10
From birth onward. The sensory design is appropriate for the youngest infants. As a comfort object, it can be used for years.
Value for Money: 9/10
$15 for a comfort object that may become a years-long self-soothing tool. Buy two.
The Evidence
Transitional objects (comfort blankets) support self-regulation development. Winnicott (1953) identified transitional objects as important tools in the development of independent self-soothing.1 The sensory contrast between materials (satin vs. fabric) provides tactile variation that supports haptic exploration.
Safety Notes
Follow safe sleep guidelines — no loose blankets in the crib for infants under 12 months. Use during supervised awake time only for young infants. Machine washable. No CPSC recalls.
The Verdict
A simple, inexpensive comfort product with a genuine sensory design rationale. Buy two.
Product Rating: 7/10 — Effective comfort object with sensory design. Simple product limits the score ceiling.
Evidence Rating: Emerging — Transitional objects and self-soothing are well-supported.
Who Should Buy This
- New parents seeking a potential comfort/security object
- Families who want to introduce a lovey early
- Parents noticing tag-rubbing behavior in their infant
- Gift-givers for newborns
Who Should Skip This
- Parents whose baby already has an established lovey
- Families who prefer stuffed animal loveys
- Minimalist parents avoiding soft goods accumulation
- Anyone expecting the blanket to be a sleep aid (follow safe sleep practices)
This review reflects our independent evaluation. ScienceBasedKids.com purchased this product at retail price.
Footnotes
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Winnicott, D. W. (1953). “Transitional objects and transitional phenomena.” International Journal of Psycho-Analysis, 34, 89-97. ↩
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Affiliate links
Taggies Buddy Dog Lovey
“Stuffed animal with tags — a lovey format for children who prefer animal attachment objects.”
Taggies Blanket (Second, for Backup)
“Buy two. If your child attaches to a Taggies, losing it is a crisis. Backup is essential.”
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“Premium lovey alternative without the tag feature. Different texture, same comfort purpose.”
Taggies Characters Soft Book
“Soft book with tags throughout. Extends the tag-rubbing experience to reading.”
