When Can My Baby Sleep With A Blanket?

Why Do Parents Want Their Children To Have A Blanket?

She'll tell you there's no point in buying a baby a blanket if you question her about it. Even in frigid temperatures, the wearable blankets and sleep sacks are secure and comfortable.

Despite the advice of pediatricians to wait a year before wrapping their infant in a blanket, many parents can't resist the temptation to use Grandma's soft and cozy baby blanket. (Don't go there!) Some of the justifications are listed below.

Blankets Can Be Comfortable

Nothing is less tempting to adults than a mattress without sheets. In their good intentions, new parents may rush to wrap their infant in a quilt, afghan, or other baby blanket that they have received as a gift.

As parents, we tend to have preconceived notions of how things ought to be; for example, because we use a sheet, blankets, and a comforter on our beds, we assume that this is how a bed should look like.

However, most toddlers are extremely active when sleeping, and a blanket becomes an inconvenience since it constantly comes off or lumps up.

Be assured that your infant is safe and will sleep soundly without a blanket if you dress them appropriately for bed (but not too warm).

Blankets Have Meaningful Importance

You probably want to show off the quilt or afghan your friend or family member made for the baby as soon as possible. These are often made by hand and with care. Before thinking about the dangers of sudden infant death syndrome, parents may choose to wrap their newborn in a special blanket.

You can hang a blanket on the wall, drape it over a rocking chair or glider, or use it on the floor for tummy time if you're in a hurry to use it.

It Can Offer Both Comfort And Security.

According to Becker Friedman, if your child develops an attachment to his or her blanket and uses it as a "lovey" or comfort object, this can serve as a useful sleep association and cue that it is time for sleep. “Attachment to a blanket of affection can be one of the first stages in helping a youngster acquire a feeling of independence,” she explains.

Another pro? Instead of waking you up, your child may instead come to snuggle up their partner before bed or when returning to bed. Attachment to a lovey can be fostered well before a baby's first birthday but waiting at least a year before letting it sleep in the crib is a good idea.

The Dangers Of Sleeping With A Blanket Too Soon

If you put your infant to bed with such a blanket too soon, you should know that there are numerous potential dangers involved. Several of the most typical are listed below.

Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

The scariest aspect of SIDS is the lack of a definitive cause, with only a collection of associations between specific behaviors and fatal consequences. That's why the AAP recommends against doing anything that has been linked to SIDS, such as putting a baby under a blanket inside the crib too soon.

Sudden Unexpected Infant Death (SUID)

The acronym "SUID" refers to "sudden unexpected infant death," which can be caused by either natural or unnatural circumstances. Causes of SUID include sudden infant death syndrome. As such, it denotes that the reason of death is unknown.

Accidental suffocation, trapping, and strangulation are also potential causes of SUID. Many forms of SUID are essentially preventable, as there is a clear association between bedroom and newborn death.

Having Trouble Sleeping

Transitioning to a blanket before your kid is 12 months old can make bedtime and sleep more difficult. When children are able to establish reliable sleep associations, they learn to sleep well.

You should expect some resistance whenever you make a change to your child's sleep schedule, sleeping arrangements, or other factors affecting sleep.

Sleep disruptions caused by adjustments, such as switching from a wearable blanket to a traditional one, should be transitory. Your good baby sleeper will return as soon has you get beyond the initial adjustment period.

And since blankets aren't absolutely necessary, you shouldn't feel guilty about not providing one if your kid has trouble falling asleep.

Keep in mind that there is no drawback to using a wearable blanket far into your child's toddler years, which is why many parents hold off on ditching the sleepwear until the kiddo is ready for a big kid bed.

Instead of using a loose blanket, wearable blankets provide a more secure option. A wearable blanket can serve two purposes: keep a baby warm and prevent a determined crib jumper from crossing the rails and escaping the confines of the crib.

Overheating

Babies, like many adults, have problems falling or staying asleep as the temperature rises. One cause of youngsters waking up in the middle of the night or the wee hours of the morning is overheating. An additional risk factor for sudden infant death syndrome within the first year of life. This is why it's unnecessary to cover your youngster with two layers of blankets—the traditional wearable blanket and a regular blanket.

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 inside a sleep sack or a reusable blanket sleeper.

These all-in-one garments are designed to cover your baby's body but leave her head uncovered; they fasten with snaps, zippers, or a stretchy gather at the bottom.

Remember, though, that if your home or your baby's room tend to get quite warm, she may well not require this additional layer. In all seasons, a room heated with between 68-to-72-degree Fahrenheit is excellent for a restful night's sleep. Overheating, brought on by the combination of cranking up the temperature and over-bundling, can raise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

To check if your baby is comfortable at night, place your hand at the base of her neck. If her skin is cold to the touch, she has to add additional layer, and if she is hot and sweating, she is overheated. You can also use how you feel to determine if your baby's sleepwear is the proper weight for him or her. If you feel cold in bed, she undoubtedly does, too.

The regulations surrounding baby bedding can appear stringent at first, but they were developed with a focus on safety. It's up to you whether you want to use a sleep sack or a blanket once your kid is old sufficient for either. Whatever the case may be, she'll sleep well all night.

Baby Sleep Safety Guidelines

It's recommended that parents wait until their child is a year old before giving them a blanket to sleep under.

Always Put Your Baby To Sleep On Their Back.

Babies should always sleep on their backs for naps and overnight sleep until they reach 12 months of age. In time, as part of typical growth, babies may start to roll over by themselves while sleeping. Even during this time, it is best to put your baby down for naps and sleep with their back supported.

Place Your Child In A Crib

The safest place for your infant to sleep at night is in a crib or similar sleeping arrangement, such as a bassinet or bedside sleeper. Children should be kept well away from other pieces of furniture such as couches and chairs.

Using anything—including a car seat, carrier, swing, or stroller—designed for a baby as a primary sleeping space is strongly discouraged. In the event that your infant falls asleep while using one of these products, you should transfer them to a firm mattress as soon as possible. When a baby becomes bigger, some parents switch them to a toddler bed.

Make Use Of A Firm Mattress That Fits The Crib.

Safe and relaxing sleep for your baby is ensured using a latex mattress in the crib, which also helps reduce the danger of suffocation and maintain a cooler sleeping environment.

Memory foam is not a good material for a mattress since it can be overly soft or conforming, which can cause accidents. The crib and the hard mattress must be the same size, and there must be no room around either.

Keep All Objects, Including Bedding, Away From The Crib.

Keep your infant's crib clear of loose materials like blankets, cushions, toys, and plush animals until he or she is at least 12 months old. The risk of suffocating in an unexpected situation is elevated when using these products. However, a pacifier is safe for your baby and might even lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.

We advise opting for a top sheet that will stay put on the diaper genie without bunching or slipping. It's a common misconception among new parents that laying a blanket or other piece of bedding flat below their infant is the same as covering them.

No other bedding, including the fitted sheet, should ever be placed in the crib with a sleeping baby.

Do Not Sleep In Your Bed With Your Baby

There is a higher risk of harm or asphyxia for infants who share beds with their parents. Alternatively, you may try sharing a room.

These dangers can be reduced by placing the infant in a separate sleeping space within the same room, like a cot or bassinet, from the parents' bed. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome can be reduced by half if a baby shares a room with an older sibling during the first six to twelve months of life.

Establish A Consistent Bedtime Routine

Establishing a regular bedtime routine is beneficial to children's general sleep health, which is important because sleep is vital to a child's growth in the early stages of life.

Consistent pre-sleep behaviors, such as reading a book, singing lullabies, cuddling with your child, or giving them a bath, can help babies develop a difference among night and day and prepare children to drift off to sleep each night.

Positive associations with sleep can be fostered by early exposure to good sleep practices and the modeling of healthy sleep behaviors.

Other Ways To Keep Your Child Safe While Sleeping

While your baby sleeps, there are a few things to remember besides the blanket. When putting them to bed, keep the following in mind:

• How your infant prefers to get some shut eye. Although laying your baby on their back is best for them, if they learn to roll over on their own, they may wind up on their belly or side. As a result, you won't have to turn them over during the night if this occurs.
• A bed with a hard surface. Baby should never sleep on a fluffy blanket or pillow. It is important that the surface on your baby's crib feels flat and hard when you press down on it. Do not put them to sleep with a cover or pillow that could obstruct their breathing.
• The ambient heat. Babies should be kept at a comfortable temperature. To avoid overheating, avoid putting them to bed in footie pajamas and a swaddle when the weather is warm.
• To try nursing. Breast milk contains all the nutrients a baby needs to grow and thrive. Try pumping and giving your kid a bottle if you don't want him or her to nurse. Breast milk helps infants fight off illness and infection, keeping their airways free so they can breathe.
• Give a pacifier a try. There is a correlation between pacifier use and a reduced risk of sudden infant death syndrome in babies. Pick a pacifier with a broad enough base so it won't pose a choking risk to your child.
• Do your best to abstain from tobacco use. Babies are particularly vulnerable to the effects of second-hand smoke, which they inhale when exposed to a smoker in the immediate vicinity. The ashes, tar, and nicotine found on someone else's clothing, bedding, or water supply are all examples of third-hand smoke. Your baby's highly sensitive lungs are at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) if they are exposed to secondhand smoke.

 Conclusion

Soft bedding and toys should only be added to the crib once the baby is a year old. Your child's gestational age matters more than its birthdate. SIDS risk increases for infants under six months. Avoid comforters, weighted blankets, and blankets with strings, ties, or ribbons while switching. Dr Sears recommends waiting until your child is one year old to ensure mobility.

Even in subzero temperatures, wearable blankets and sleep sacks keep you warm. If you're worried about SIDS, don't cover your baby's cot. Instead, encourage a baby's lovey attachment from birth. Routines help kids sleep well. Wearable blankets keep babies warm and prevent them from going over crib rails.

When the thermostat is turned up, or too many blankets are used, an infant's body temperature rises, increasing the risk of SIDS. Before giving a blanket at night, parents should wait a year. After that, infants should sleep on their backs. Some parents switch their infants to toddler beds when they reach a specific size. Sharing a room with an older sibling for the first six to twelve months lowers SIDS risk by 50%.

A consistent nighttime routine is critical to a child's growth. Too soft pillows and blankets might suffocate babies. Keep the room cool for babies. Pacifiers reduce SIDS risk, according to research (SIDS).

Content Summary

• It is not recommended by pediatricians that infants under the age of one-year-old sleep with a blanket.
• Infants younger than six months of age are most at risk for sudden infant death syndrome. However, cases have been reported in infants as old as 12 months.
• Blankets, cushions, bumper pads, and plush animals should not be placed in the crib until the baby is at least a year old.
• There are other ways to prevent sudden infant death syndrome than avoiding traditional blankets.
• Instead of using a blanket, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends newborn sleep gear, such as a reusable blanket, to help keep your infant warm and comfortable.
• Dr Sears recommends waiting until your child is one year old to ensure they are fully mobile, meaning they can roll over both ways, sit, and stand up.
• Nothing is less tempting to adults than a mattress without sheets.
• In their good intentions, new parents may rush to wrap their infant in a quilt, afghan, or another baby blanket they have received as a gift.
• Be assured that your infant is safe and will sleep soundly without a blanket if you dress them appropriately for bed (but not too warm).
• Blankets Have Meaningful Importance You probably want to show off the quilt or afghan your friend or family member made for the baby as soon as possible.
• According to Becker Friedman, if your child develops an attachment to their blanket and uses it as a "lovey" or comfort object, this can serve as a useful sleep association and cue that it is time for sleep. "
• Attachment to a blanket of affection can be one of the first stages in helping a youngster acquire independence," she explains.
• Attachment to a lovey can be fostered well before a baby's first birthday, but waiting at least a year before letting it sleep in the crib is a good idea.
• If you put your infant to bed with such a blanket too soon, you should know that numerous potential dangers are involved.
• The scariest aspect of SIDS is the lack of a definitive cause, with only a collection of associations between specific behaviours and fatal consequences.
• That's why the AAP recommends against doing anything that has been linked to SIDS, such as putting a baby under a blanket inside the crib too soon.
• The acronym "SUID" refers to "sudden unexpected infant death," which can be caused by either natural or unnatural circumstances.
• Causes of SUID include sudden infant death syndrome.
• Accidental suffocation, trapping, and strangulation are also potential causes of SUID.
• Transitioning to a blanket before your kid is 12 months old can make bedtime and sleep more difficult.
• When children can establish reliable sleep associations, they learn to sleep well.
• Instead of using a loose blanket, wearable blankets provide a more secure option.
• This is why covering your youngster with two layers of blankets is unnecessary—the traditional wearable blanket and a regular blanket.
• To check if your baby is comfortable at night, place your hand at the base of her neck.
• You can also use how you feel to determine if your baby's sleepwear is the proper weight for them.
• The safest place for your infant to sleep at night is in a crib or similar sleeping arrangements, such as a bassinet or bedside sleeper.
• Keep your infant's crib clear of loose materials like blankets, cushions, toys, and plush animals until they are 12 months old.
• These dangers can be reduced by placing the infant in a separate sleeping space within the same room, like a cot or bassinet, from the parent's bed.
• The risk of sudden infant death syndrome can be reduced by half if a baby shares a room with an older sibling during the first six to twelve months of life.
• Establishing a regular bedtime routine is beneficial to children's general sleep health, which is important because sleep is vital to a child's growth in the early stages of life.
• While your baby sleeps, there are a few things to remember besides the blanket.
• When putting them to bed, keep the following in mind: How your infant prefers to get some shut-eye.
• Baby should never sleep on a fluffy blanket or pillow.
• It is important that the surface of your baby's crib feels flat and hard when you press down on it.
• Please do not put them to sleep with a cover or pillow that could obstruct their breathing.
• Babies should be kept at a comfortable temperature.
• If exposed to secondhand smoke, your baby's highly sensitive lungs are at greater risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).