Madonna sleeps with a stuffed toy every night: Expert says it's more common among adults than you think

Madonna has never shied away from sharing deeply personal moments with her fans. This time, it wasn't a chart-topping song or a glamorous red carpet appearance that caught attention, it was a stuffed toy.

In a recent interview with Vogue while showing her home, the pop icon revealed that she sleeps every night with a plush toy gifted to her by one of her sisters, saying it has become a cherished source of comfort.

She said, "This is my do-do. Her name is Octavia. I sleep with her every night," Madonna said. "A couple of years ago I was really sick in the hospital. I was in a coma and this beautiful nurse that was taking care of me, her name was Olivia. She was screaming at me every day, telling me I needed to get up, I needed to get out of the ICU, and she really gave me a lot of courage and hope. When I got out of the hospital and came home, my sister gave me this octopus. I looked at her and all I could think about was my nurse who took care of me."

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While some might find the revelation surprising, psychologists say Madonna is far from alone.

Why do adults hold on to stuffed toys?

According to Saikishore, Clinical Psychologist at Aster Whitefield Hospital, comfort objects are much more common among adults than many people realise.

"Emotionally supportive objects, like stuffed toys, are often referred to as transitional objects in psychology," he explains. "While people associate them with childhood, many adults continue to rely on them during periods of stress, illness, grief or major life transitions because they provide familiarity, stability and emotional grounding."

They don't replace therapy but can help

Experts stress that a comfort object is not a treatment for anxiety, depression or trauma. However, it can become an important coping mechanism.

"Hugging or holding a familiar object can create a sense of warmth and safety, reduce the body's stress response and help regulate emotions during difficult moments," says Saikishore.

He notes that this can be particularly valuable for people recovering from serious illness, coping with bereavement or navigating long-term health conditions, where emotional resilience plays a crucial role in recovery.

Madonna herself endured a life-threatening bacterial infection in 2023 that left her hospitalised in intensive care. Since then, she has spoken candidly about gratitude, healing and the importance of family, making the emotional significance of the stuffed toy easier to understand.

More common than people admit

According to Saikishore, psychologists frequently encounter adults who keep a favourite stuffed toy or another comfort object close by.

"Some people use it to cope with loneliness while living away from family. Others find comfort in it during hospital stays, cancer treatment, pregnancy loss or after traumatic experiences," he says.

The intention, he adds, is not to behave childishly. "It's a form of emotional self-soothing, much like someone else might turn to a favourite blanket, prayer beads, music, journalling or photographs of loved ones."

When is it healthy, and when is it not?

Keeping a stuffed toy beside the bed or hugging it during stressful moments is not, by itself, considered unhealthy.

"What really matters is whether the object supports healthy functioning rather than replacing it," Saikishore explains. "If it helps someone feel calmer and emotionally steadier without interfering with relationships, work or daily responsibilities, it can be a completely healthy coping strategy."

However, if someone becomes entirely dependent on the object or uses it to avoid dealing with deeper emotional issues, professional psychological support may be beneficial.

Comfort looks different for everyone

Mental health experts increasingly emphasise that there is no single "correct" way to find comfort during life's difficult moments. For some, it's meditation. For others, music, books or faith. And for people like Madonna, it may simply be a stuffed toy gifted by someone they love.

"Healthy coping mechanisms take different forms for different people," says Saikishore. "For some adults, a simple stuffed toy can represent reassurance, hope and emotional stability during life's most challenging periods."

Madonna's confession may have surprised fans, but psychologists say it also helps normalise an important conversation- growing older doesn't mean outgrowing the need for comfort.