Sleeping with Stuffed Animals and Negative Dreams

I'm not sure where to put this cus its about dreams but I guess depression works. does anybody else sleep with stuffed animals and are more prone to nightmares, sad, disturbing dreams without them? I've noticed that, as a person who's slept with stuffed animals for years, I am way more prone to negative dreams without it. sometimes they still happen with the stuffed animal, and I wake up and it's on the floor. it feels weird. my parents have teased me somewhat (not to my face) for cuddling and sleeping with stuffed animals but it's like a dream catcher for me, it makes me feel safer. it's hard to sleep well without it. anybody else?