When Can Babies Sleep with Blankets?

The blanket is soft and comfortable, so you may want to put a blanket in your baby’s crib. Or you may be eager to decorate their sleeping space with homemade comforters and patterned quilts. But did you know that this is a very unsafe sleeping habit?

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), any soft or loose item (such as a blanket) placed in a crib increases the baby’s risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and accidental choking.

So when can babies start sleeping with blankets on them, and how do you keep them warm? Read on to learn more about this safe sleep guide.

Why Is It Dangerous for Babies to Sleep with Blankets Covered?

When a baby sleeps on a blanket, it may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or the sudden and unexpected death of the baby. Rachel Moon, M.D., a pediatrician at Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C., and a member of AAP’s SIDS task force, said experts don’t know the exact cause of SIDS. But many believe that this is due to an “immature arousal center” that causes babies to not wake up when they can’t breathe properly.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says about 3,400 babies die from SIDS each year, although that number has declined since the launch of the “Safe Sleep” (formerly known as “Back to Sleep” campaign) in 1994. The campaign, which encourages parents to put their babies to sleep on their backs, has been shown to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Another common risk factor for SIDS is: keeping blankets, pillows, stuffed animals, or other items in the crib.

According to the recommendations of the AAP Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Task Force, “soft objects such as pillows and pillow-like toys, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and loose bedding such as blankets and ill-fitting sheets may block the baby’s nose and mouth.” Airway obstruction may pose a risk of choking, stuckness, or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).”

In other words, your baby may accidentally press their nose and mouth into the blanket during the night, which can lead to asphyxia and sudden infant death syndrome. If something is blocking the baby’s breathing, the baby simply does not have the strength to move the head and neck.

Sleeping under a blanket also increases the risk of getting trapped and strangling. For all these reasons, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts say that babies should not sleep in their cribs with blankets covered.

An important thing to note is that these recommendations do not apply to swaddling clothes. Many experts recommend swaddling because it soothes babies and promotes better sleep. Steven A. Shapiro, director of pediatrics at Abington-Jefferson Health, said just make sure you don’t wrap babies too tightly, as they still need to kick and squirm.

When Can My Baby Sleep with a Blanket?

You can wrap your baby with a receiving blanket right away. But because of the risk of SIDS, you should not use any soft objects or loose bedding in your crib until your child’s first birthday.

In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until your baby is at least a year old before letting them sleep with a blanket. “Research has not shown us when it is 100% safe to put these items in a crib, however, most experts agree that these items pose little to no risk to healthy babies at 12 months of age,” the organization said. ”

Note that some experts recommend waiting until your baby is 18 months old before giving your baby a blanket, especially if you’re born prematurely. Be sure to check with your child’s healthcare provider for more information about when babies can sleep with a blanket

Once a baby is over a year old, their motor skills are sharp enough that if they have trouble breathing, they can roll over and push objects away from their face. Coincidentally, after a year, many babies begin to become hyper-attached to certain “blankets”, which may help them cope with separation anxiety when saying goodbye or goodnight.

When introducing blankets, start by choosing a blanket that is lightweight, breathable, not heavy or bulky, and when they are older, you can prepare thicker quilts and quilts for them. Keep in mind that this guide applies to bedtime and nap time.

You Don’t Need a Blanket to Keep Your Baby Warm

Are you worried that your child will catch a cold without a quilt? Here are some tips to keep warm:

  • Dress your baby in multiple layers, but be careful not to over-tie them up, as this can also increase the risk of SIDS. The general rule is to give your baby an extra layer than you would in the same situation.
  • On cold nights, rely on swaddling clothes or sleeping bags. These wearable items do not cover the child’s face and pose a risk of suffocation. When your baby shows signs of trying to roll over, you should stop swaddling.
  • Make sure the nursery is set to the appropriate temperature (68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit).

Also remember to take steps to prevent SIDS. Your baby should sleep on his back and there is nothing in the crib except the fitted sheet. The sleeping surface should be firm and flat. Sleeping in the same room with your baby for the first few months, but not sharing a bed, can also increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Related Articles

Discover

10 Best Baby Bathtubs for Everyday Use

Your baby's first bath is one of the earliest milestones you can enjoy with...

Introduction to Solids

It's time to move on to the exploration phase of eating real food. Keep...

How to Clean Your Child’s Bath Toys

We've all been in a situation where you go and pick up your child's...

Best Infant Formula

I recommend that you have some formula on hand, whether you're breastfeeding or not...

Best Crib Buying Recommendations

Between nighttime sleep and daytime naps, your child will spend thousands of hours in...

Nourish Your Child with These Organic and Non-GMO Infant...

We all know the old saying "breasts are the best", but not all moms...

How White Noise Can Help Your Baby Sleep

Although most parents now wrap their babies in swaddling clothes, I am surprised that...

7 Best Protein Foods for Babies

When you think of baby food, rice cereal, applesauce, and pumpkin puree usually come...

How to Keep Kids Safe During a Heat Wave?

For most healthy adults, heat waves are a sweaty and uncomfortable annoyance, but for...

The Best Swaddling: What to Look for in a...

There are a lot of baby swaddling clothes out there, and each one claims...