When Can Babies Sleep With Blankets?

Sheet sets, comforter, hand-stitched quilts, and knitted afghans make some of the most endearing presents for a baby shower. You could be itching to finally put the baby's blanket and other sleep accoutrements to work in the crib.

However, it is best to wait till your child is sufficiently mature to deal with the blanket change before introducing one at night or during nap time. In this article, we'll discuss the potential dangers of using a baby blanket, as well as several strategies for keeping your infant toasty while you decide whether or not to try one.

Parents may feel compelled to wrap Baby up in a blanket every night out of concern. But there's a risk of SIDS if a baby's cot has anything flimsy or loose in it (SIDS). Learn more about the correlation and the appropriate time to introduce a baby's first blanket at sleep time.

It's the toddler years, and you and your child have figured out how to sleep through the night. You've figured out what your kid needs to sleep peacefully (usually! ), but he's gotten good at sleeping thru the night.

But as soon as you think you have a handle on things, the rules shift. Helping your child sleep safely requires a different set of rules than when your child was a baby. The good news is that the rules are less stringent now that he is older and no longer at danger for a sudden infant death (SIDS).

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Is It Safe To Put Blankets On Babies To Sleep?

In a nutshell, no, because there is no safe way to place blankets in a crib. It is estimated that about 3,600 infants in the United States die unexpectedly each year while sleeping, most often from sudden infant deaths (SIDS), asphyxia, entrapment, or strangling; the use of blankets increases the risk of all four.

Because infants are susceptible to suffocation, the safest place for them to sleep is in a naked crib that is devoid of all bedding, including blankets, pillows, bumpers, fleece, sheepskin, and stuffed toys. At night, a fitted sheet pulled in securely on all sides is all your infant needs.

Positioners, wedges, special mattresses, and other surfaces that claim to lower the incidence of sudden infant death syndrome should be avoided because of insufficient evidence showing their efficacy.

When Can I Use A Blanket?

According to American Academy of Pediatrics, there is no definitive age at which using a blanket, quilt, or comforter is completely safe (AAP). However, most medical professionals agree that healthy infants over the age of 12 months, and ideally 18 months or older, are no longer at risk from soft bedding in the crib.

Because of the risk of entanglement, parents are advised to wait until their child is at most 18 months old before covering her with a blanket during night or during naps. After the first year and a half, the tuck-in process can include a thin blanket as well as a small, special lovey.

Even if you plan to put your baby on front of the blanket rather than under it, you should avoid using soft bedding since it could easily become wrapped around your baby as she moves during the night or get stuck inside the crib corners.

When is it safe to stop swaddling my baby for bedtime?

Concerned about the no-blanket rule, given that infants are typically wrapped in a blanket for comfort? You may swaddle your newborn at night without any worries, and in fact, doing so is advised as a technique to soothe a fussy infant and get them to sleep.

Babies are secure in a swaddle blanket or swaddle sleep sack for the first two months of their lives, when they begin to experiment with rolling over. However, you shouldn't put another blanket on top of a swaddled infant because doing so raises the risk of asphyxia by covering the baby's face.

How Do I Keep My Baby Warm In The Absence Of A Blanket?

If your little one is younger than 12–18 months old, or if you simply don't like to use softer bedding for her at any age, she will be completely comfortable sleeping in a sleep sack or even a reusable blanket sleeper. These one-piece garments are designed to protect your baby's body but leave her head uncovered; they fasten with snaps, zippers, or an elastic waist gather at the bottom.

However, if your home or your baby's bedroom tends to get quite warm, she may well not require this additional layer. In any season, a room heated with between 68 and 72 farenheit will provide the most comfortable sleeping environment. Overheating, which can occur when the thermostat is turned up high or when a baby is wrapped in too many blankets, may raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

The nape of your baby's neck is a good place to check to see if she's getting adequate heat at night. When her skin is cold to the touch, she needs to add an extra layer, but when she is really warm or sweating, she is too hot. It's also a good indicator of whether or not the sleepwear your kid is wearing is the appropriate weight if you feel comfortable in it. If you feel the chill when you go into bed, she undoubtedly does, too.

The regulations surrounding baby bedding can seem daunting at first, but they are put in place for the baby's safety. It's up to you whether to use a blanket or a sleep sack once your kid reaches a certain age. She'll sleep comfortably and warmly in either case.

What Are The Safe Sleep Guidelines And Toddler Sleep Tips That I Must Follow?

When your child reaches the toddler years (between the ages of 1 and 3), he is no any more at risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), and you can relax many of the guidelines for safe baby sleep. However, there are still a few things you should keep in mind to keep your child safe as he sleeps:

• Once your little one reaches a certain height, he can transition to a bed. When your child reaches 35 inches in height, or the height of a side rail on his current bed is less than 3 of his height, it's time to make the switch to a toddler bed or even a double bed with a side rail. To maximise his chances of adjusting, make the change as near to his third birthday as possible. Although younger children might not be ready for a big bed, most youngsters transition to a toddler bed between the ages of 18 months and 3 1/2 years.
• Prepare a cozy place to rest your head. Make sure that your child's cot or bed is not near any window blind pulls, curtains, or electrical cables. Also, keep an eye out for picture frames, mobiles, and other objects that a toddler could potentially bring into his crib or bed. The good news is that pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals are no longer as dangerous as they were when your kid was a baby. You can put your child to bed with a light blanket and a pillow, but make sure that pillow isn't large enough that he can use it as a fake step ladder to get out of bed. And you should still stay away from large plush toys.
• The safety of crib climbers must be ensured. Oftentimes, a toddler's need to get up and about and discover their surroundings will lead them to attempt to climb from out their cribs. Keep your child's crib bedding on the lowest heat to prevent him from climbing out. Also, keep your baby's crib free of any crib bumpers or plush animals that your child might use as a stepping stool. Even if you take all of these measures, it's possible that your toddler will figure out how to escape his crib. If this is the case, and if it happens regularly, he needs to transition to a child's room or a double bed with such a side rail.
• Don't worry about forcing your toddler to sleep in an awkward posture. Once your child has reached his one birthday, you can stop putting him to sleep upon his back. Allow him to continue sleeping in whichever position he finds most comfortable now that he is mature enough to do so securely.

Is It Necessary For My Toddler To Sleep On His Back?

Not if he has any say in the matter. Your child can safely sleep on his or her stomach after their first birthday, when the risk of asphyxia is reduced. Which means it's fine to put your child to sleep upon his back, stomach, or side.

We have the best range of baby nursery blankets to keep your baby just right day and night. 

When Can My Toddler Sleep With A Blanket?

After 18 months, a thin sheet or lovey can be placed in bed with your kid. However, if he is sleeping in a crib, make absolutely sure that his blanket & stuffed animal are too little for him to use as a footstool.

When Can My Toddler Sleep With A Pillow?

When your child is 18 months or older, you can give him a pillow to sleep with instead of a blanket. However, keep in mind that large stuffed animals and other stuffed toys should be kept out, as they still provide a suffocation concern and could be used to help him escape the crib.

Is It Safe For My Toddler To Play With Bumpers And Stuffed Animals?

The risk of asphyxia or strangulation from bumpers is far lower for toddlers than it is for infants. However, you should still keep your distance from them because your child can employ them as a stepping stool to escape from his crib.

What about stuffed toys? If your child enjoys having toys in his crib or crib, small ones are great. But don't give more than one or two; otherwise, your child may try to use them as stepping stones to get out of the crib. Also, keep your child away from toys that are too big for them or include long, dangling parts like ribbons or threads.

When Should I Lower My Toddler's Crib Mattress To Prevent Him From Falling Or Climbing Out?

When your baby is between 4 and 7 months old, or when he can sit up unassisted, or when he can pull himself to the a standing position, it's time to lower the mattress in his crib in preparation for his transition to a big kid bed. If your toddler can escape from his crib despite the mattress just at lowest heat, it's time to switch him to a toddler bed or even a twin bed with a side rail.

When Should I Transition My Child From A Crib To A Toddler Bed?

He must be consulted about the timing of the transition. The typical age range for this transition is between 18 months to 3 1/2 years old, while it's recommended to wait until as near to age three as feasible. Your child can continue to sleep safely in his crib up until he reaches 35 inches in height, provided he is content there and doesn't try to climb out often. Putting him in a bed is the next logical step.

Are Mobiles Hung Above The Crib Safe?

No. Toddlers who are capable of standing and grab a mobile are at risk of being entangled in it and maybe strangling themselves. Crib mobiles should be taken down once the infant has been in the crib for four months, as recommended by experts. Do not wait to remove the mobile from your child's crib if he or she has outgrown it.

Can I Share A Bed With My Toddler?

There's no need to move out of your child's room if you have been sleeping there since he was an infant. You should still consider the benefits and risks of co-sleeping before making any decisions (which can refer to either room-sharing or bed-sharing, or a combination of both). Consult your child's doctor if both you and your tiny one that has been sharing a bed or if you are considering doing so. Even though bed-sharing does not put infants at danger of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), it may not be the best sleeping arrangements for your toddlers and your family as a whole; your doctor may advise you on this.

Is My Child At Risk For Sids?

Children older than one year old weren't at risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

As your precious infant matures into a curious and capable toddler, you can gradually loosen the rules about naptime. As a result, you can relax. You've most than earned it at this point.

There are around 55% of American infants that are sleeping on unsuitable bedding, according to this survey.

If you're a new mom or caretaker, you've probably got a huge stack of baby blankets and lovable plush animals. Hardly any new parents can resist the temptation to fill their baby's bed with plush toys and blankets.

At some point soon, you'll be able to stuff the crib full of bedding and pillows. However, you should use extreme caution for the time being.

Soft and fluffy bedding is a major risk factor for SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). The risk of sudden infant death syndrome is increased by as much as two to three times, according to research.

The risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is highest for infants between the ages of 2 and 4 months. After four months, the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) begins to decline and reaches a statistically insignificant level at 12 months. SIDS is caused by a confluence of circumstances. There is nothing you can do about the fact that some of these characteristics are inherent to your DNA. Some are influenced by your surroundings, while others are not.

At twelve months, healthy infants may move around the crib with relative ease and readjust if something is obstructing their airway, such a blanket or stuffed animal. Any younger, and a baby's airway may be blocked if they rolled over into a soft blanket. Our bodies are designed to respond to hypoxia by waking up and adjusting. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome increases if a sleeping infant is suffocated by bedding or toys in his or her cot.

Until your baby is at least 12 months old, avoid putting any loose bedding, such as blankets or stuffed animals, inside their crib.

When Is It Okay For Baby To Sleep With A Blanket?

Swaddling your newborn can begin straight away with the use of a receiving blanket. However, until he turns one, you should avoid putting him to sleep with any loose bedding or soft objects due to the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Your infant now has the motor ability to turn over and move items out of the way of his face, which may be obstructing his airway.

Around the age of a year, many babies begin to get quite attached to specific "blankies," which might also help them cope the anxiety issues from saying nice things or good-night to you.

Is it chilly where you live, and you're scared that your baby won't be warm enough without a blanket? On chilly evenings, wear footed pajamas or a sleeping bag. These accessories won't obstruct your child's vision or pose a suffocation danger.

But Won't She Be Freezing?

It's natural to worry that infants won't stay warm enough without a heated blanket, but babies can get enough heat from their clothing alone to get a good night's sleep. The ideal temperature for your child's bedroom is between 70 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit, and he shouldn't wear more than one layer of clothing on top of what you're wearing. Soft, breathable fabrics like cotton are ideal, and the clothing should suit your child closely. Swaddles, sleep sacks, and footie pajamas are all great options. Then, check on your child every so often to make sure he's not overheating or underdressed. When you notice your baby's chest is hot, his cheeks is red, his breathing is rapid, and/or he is sweating, it's possible that he is overheated. Your kid may be too cold if his chest feels cool.

My Baby Nursery has a wide range of baby cot nursery blankets to choose from. 

So, When Is It Appropriate To Allow My Baby To Snuggle Up With A Blanket?

You can put your child's favorite stuffed animal or the blankie Grandma knitted in the crib after their first birthday. The danger of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is greatly diminished by the time a baby is able to turn over and shift blankets away from his or her face. If you are concerned about your child's growth, though, it is important to discuss this with your doctor.