Managing every risk to babies and young children can be a daunting commitment, but we parents embrace it wholeheartedly. Children can introduce us to a whole new world of worry - from diaper hazards to bedding issues.
Blankets, pillows and other items in cribs have been linked to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For this reason, they are a dangerous addition to your child's sleeping area during the first year of life.
Let’s find out with to my granddaughter blanket!
Additionally, objects such as pillows, toys, or cushions can pose a serious choking hazard (1).
Choking hazards for children under one year of age also include:
Cell Phone: If you have a cell phone over your crib, check frequently to make sure it is safe, won't fall, and is safely out of your baby's reach.
Sheets: Even thin, lightweight sheets can be dangerous for small babies. Make sure to buy the correct size sheets for your baby's mattress.
Car Seats: Placing an infant carrier in a crib is extremely dangerous. It could tip over or tip over, crush or choke your baby.
See also: How to choose the perfect baby blanket
The dangers associated with SIDS dropped sharply a year later, but they have not completely disappeared. Every child develops at their own pace. Your child's time to get blankets, pillows, and stuffed animals is different than your neighbor's.
Short answer? When your baby's motor skills have developed enough to move freely and put things on and off, you can give him a blanket. This will happen sometime between 1 and 2 years old.
Blankets provide warmth. So if you find your baby is cold or needs extra comfort before this milestone, try wrapping them up or putting them in a sleeping bag.
If they've passed these milestones, it might be time to introduce a blanket. Make sure it's not too thick and doesn't have heavy edges.
Things you may interest: How do you store sheets and blankets?
Once your child moves from the bassinet or crib to the toddler's cot, you have your hands free. You can have pillows, blankets and stuffed animals - as long as they don't present a choking hazard.
But it's better to wait for that transition. Babies only need a flat, exposed surface to sleep on. You hardly need a pillow, and the risk is so small that it's not always worth the risk.
Experts say that by 18 to 24 months, all risks from crib pillows are eliminated (2). Young babies who are able to roll and move can still choke on pillows until they are at least a year old.
See also: Travel Blanket
After this year-long milestone, sleep safety remains paramount.
Follow some simple safety measures to ensure your child has a safe and enjoyable night's sleep:
Just because they are no longer at risk for SIDS doesn't mean your child won't be harmed in other ways. After putting your child in a large crib and giving them all the blankets and comfy animals they want, you still need to pay extra attention to safety.
Large, heavy blankets or pillows that cannot be zipped can be dangerous to children under 3 years of age.
If your child is over 1 year old and still in their cradle, don't keep them around too much.
A small, thin blanket and a stuffed animal or two will do. Use the promise of more sleeping friends to encourage them to transition to the crib.
Product Image of Jellycat Bashful Blush Bunny Baby Cute Toy Blanket
Thin fabric blankets called lovies are a great introduction to larger blankets. Find a good baby, use it to supervise your child, bring some comfort to your child, don't take chances.
Test your baby first and keep an eye on your little one for the first few days of use.
There are a number of ways parents can ensure the ideal temperature for a sleeping baby without using a blanket.
Fold clothes for baby
Instead of covering your baby with a blanket, try tucking their clothes in for extra warmth at night. In order to safely put on your baby's pajamas, at the same temperature, do not wear an extra layer of pajamas worn by adults.
Set the bedroom temperature
Set the thermostat in your baby's room to 20 to 22 degrees Fahrenheit7. The ideal sleeping temperature helps babies sleep well through the night. Additionally, overheating increases the likelihood of SIDS, making a comfortable room temperature even more important.
wrap your baby in a diaper bag or sleeping bag
Swaddling babies can give them extra warmth on cold nights and help them feel more secure. Sleeping bags or wearable blankets provide similar warmth and security, but zip up. It's important to make sure your baby's sleeping bag is the right size so it doesn't come loose or have excess fabric that could create a choking hazard. If you wear multiple layers, consider wrapping or sleeping bags as a layer of clothing. Again, make sure to stop changing once the baby starts rolling in any direction to avoid a choking hazard.
Safe Sleep Guide for Babies
In addition to waiting until a baby is a year old to start sleeping with a blanket, there are other guidelines parents can follow to promote bedtime safety.
Always put your baby to sleep on their back
Until your baby is 12 months old, you should always put him on his back for naps and sleep at night. Over time, they may start rolling over on their own during sleep as part of normal development. Also during this time, make sure you put your baby to sleep on their back first.
put baby in cribA crib or similar, such as a bassinet or rollaway bed, is the safest place for your baby to sleep at night. Other furniture, such as sofas and chairs, can be very dangerous for young children. Even equipment made for babies, such as car seats, carriers, swings and strollers, is not recommended as a regular sleeper. If your baby falls asleep in one of these devices, it's best to put them on a firm mattress as soon as possible. Later, when the toddler is older, parents may be more willing to introduce a toddler bed.
Use a firm mattress suitable for your crib
Using a firm mattress in a crib also reduces the risk of suffocation and lowers the temperature, ensuring a safe and comfortable sleeping environment. Mattresses should not be made of memory foam as it can be too soft or pliable and pose a safety hazard. Also, a firm mattress should fit snugly against the crib with no gaps between the crib walls.
Keep the crib clear of items, including bedding
Before your baby is 12 months old, make sure their crib is free of loose items such as blankets, pillows, toys and stuffed animals. These items increase the likelihood of accidental suffocation. However, pacifiers can be used by babies and may even reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
A fitted sheet is recommended that fits snugly against the crib mattress and does not bunch or unravel. Sometimes parents mistakenly think that blankets or bedding are OK if they are laid flat under the baby instead of tucked in. With the exception of a fitted sheet, no bedding should be left in the bassinet when the baby is sleeping, no matter where it is placed.
A blanket isn't the only thing to consider when your baby is resting. Also consider the following when putting them to sleep:
Baby's sleeping position. While it is recommended that your baby lie on their back, if they start rolling on their own, they may lie on their side or on their side. In this case, you don't have to put them back at night.
A firm bed. Make sure your baby never sleeps on a plush surface.
When you press your hand against the surface of the bassinet, it should feel flat and firm. Don't put them on blankets or pillows so they don't cover your face while you sleep.
temperature. You want your baby to be warm but not hot. Make sure they don't overheat in their pajamas and swaddles when it's warm outside.
Try breastfeeding. When you breastfeed, you are providing your baby with the nutrients he needs. If you don't want your baby to breastfeed, try pumping and offer a bottle. Their breast milk helps them fight disease and infection and allows their lungs to breathe freely.
Try a pacifier. Babies who use a pacifier at lunchtime and bedtime have a lower risk of SIDS. Make sure the safety nipple you choose has a wide enough base to not pose a choking hazard.
Avoid smoking. Secondhand smoke is the smoke your baby breathes in when a smoker is around. Thirdhand smoke is the residue left on clothing, blankets and fountains. Because your baby's lungs are very sensitive, there is a higher risk of SIDS around smokers.
While blankets may look comfortable and appealing, they can also be dangerous in a crib with an infant. Before you add anything to your child's sleeping space, it's important to consider whether it's safe.
If you're wondering if your child is ready to use a pillow or blanket, consider the AAP's advice, consider your baby's mobility, and talk to their doctor at their next appointment.
As the person who puts your child to sleep each night, you need to make sure they feel safe and comfortable with your decision to use the blanket. The final decision is yours!
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