In the middle of the night, when you quietly tiptoe in your baby’s nursery and see their tiny hands curled up with soft breathing. You must have thought of covering them with a blanket, but the question, “When can babies sleep with a blanket?” must have run through your mind. After all, we adults feel relaxed and love snuggling up in the blanket and feeling cozy while sleeping. That’s why it is very natural to think the same for your baby. But then all the advice about keeping the crib free from loose items for the baby’s safety comes to mind and confuses you about whether you should cover up the baby with a blanket or not.
If you’re a first-time mom, you must have thought about it once until now. But don’t worry. We are going to discuss when it is safe to introduce your baby to a blanket.
Is it safe for babies to sleep with blankets?
If you are looking for a straightforward answer, then “no”. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) strongly condemn the presence of loose blankets, pillows stuffed toys on the crib due to the risk of infant death due to suffocation. Babies under 12 months of age have limited mobility, that’s why they can’t tell if they are feeling uncomfortable in the bed. Also, they can’t even move the blanket away from their face if it is obstructing their breathing.
Instead of using loose blankets, sleep sacks, and wearable blankets are way better and safer to use for newborns as they are lightweight and can perfectly wrap around the baby’s body to give them warmth as they sleep. Additionally, if you don’t want anything to cover the baby, it is better to keep the room temperature (between 68-72°F or 20-22°C). In this way, your baby can stay cozy without having a load of a blanket or a sleep sack.
When can I introduce a blanket?
It is safe to introduce a blanket to your child once they are 12 months old and not earlier. It is because, by that time, they’ve grown enough to communicate if they are uncomfortable or if something is bothering them one way or the other. However, some paediatrics also suggest waiting atleast 18 months to introduce your baby to the blanket. By this age, the babies get the strength and coordination to move the blanket away when necessary. While introducing a blanket to your child for the first time, opt for a breathable material like cotton instead of wool or polyester because it is lightweight and small enough to avoid any risks. Avoid heavy quilts and adult blankets as they are big and heavy and can cause risks for the baby while he’s asleep.
Also, it is very important to monitor how your baby reacts to the blanket. If they tangle themselves or are having difficulty adjusting to the blanket on their own, change the blanket immediately to something smaller and lighter in weight that your baby can adjust themselves.
