Baby Sleep Management
Updated on 14 June 2022
Medically Reviewed by
Kusum Sabharwal
Obstetrician & Gynecologist - MBBS| DGO
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According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, parents should never put quilts, comforters, blankets, pillows, or any other soft, loose bedding where the child sleeps. This is a precaution against sudden infant death syndrome, better known as SIDS. Studies have shown that adding these soft blankets and other material increases the chances of SIDS by fivefold, regardless of the position they are sleeping in.
Therefore, experts recommend that you wait until after your baby’s first birthday before handing over a blanket. That’s because after one year, a baby usually has pretty good control of their hands and upper bodies, and can thus move away anything that might be a suffocation hazard, like a blanket or pillow that has been left in their sleeping area.
But regardless, later is better than sooner when it comes to giving your baby a blanket. Babies who move around a great deal at night run the risk of getting tangled up in blankets. When they try to get loose, they can get frustrated, and that leads to nighttime waking and crying. But when they try to stand up in their crib, that tangled blanket might trip them, leading to falls, bumps and bruises. Given that, some experts recommend waiting until your baby is eighteen months old before giving them a blanket.
Precautions to Take When Babies Sleep with Blankets
If you do choose to let your baby sleep with blankets, there are certain steps you should take to ensure that he is safe.
Precautions |
Descriptions |
Use only thin blankets |
Make sure that the blanket you use is very thin, as thicker blankets could trap a baby and suffocate him. The blanket should be made of cotton, nothing else, and should be long enough to tuck into the mattress at the base of the crib or bassinet. The blanket should come up to the baby’s chest – never put a blanket over a baby’s shoulders. |
Try to avoid using blankets |
Even if it’s okay to do so, you might want to avoid blankets. That’s because blankets can heat a baby up quickly and make them feel restricted, both of which are not good for sleeping. A nice, heavy sleepwear can be perfect for the baby instead of a blanket. |
Consider sleep sacks |
A sleep sack, or a big gown that covers the baby’s entire body, can make a great alternative to the blanket. Babies love being swaddled, but when they get older they want more room to move. The sleep sack is perfect for this transition, and it is much safer than any blanket. Sleep sacks are also a great way to keep a baby warm. |
Keep the clothing appropriate |
When the room is too cold, it can be very tempting to cover your baby with a blanket. To avoid that temptation, make sure the baby is dressed appropriately in the first place. Cold weather calls for warmer clothing, such as heavier sleep sacks, cozy socks and perhaps small cardigans that fit snugly around the upper body. You can also try dressing your baby in a cotton one-piece, and then add footed pajamas or a sleep sack on top of that. Remember, layers keep a baby warm, just like they keep parents warm! |
Watch the room temperature |
You can avoid the problem of needing blankets altogether by keeping the baby’s room toasty warm. Install a heater in your baby’s room if necessary, one that is kept well away from the crib or sleeping area. Drafts can make a room very uncomfortable, so make sure the windows and doors are closed. Windows should have good weather seals on them. Finally, turn up the heat in the house, so that when you bring your baby out of their room, they will not be shocked by the colder air in the rest of the home. |
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Medically Reviewed by
Kusum Sabharwal
Obstetrician & Gynecologist - MBBS| DGO
View Profile
Written by
Ravish Goyal
Official account of Mylo Editor
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