When Can Babies Have Blankets?

Most new parents can attest to the fact that they aren’t getting enough sleep, hence this issue is often discussed among new parents. Every new parent wants the same thing: for their baby to sleep through the night without waking up too often. They’re prepared to do whatever it takes to reach their goal.

Sheet sets, comforters, bespoke quilts, and knitted afghans for the crib are some of the loveliest and most considerate gifts you can give at a baby shower. You may be eager to finally put your baby to sleep in their cot with the special blankets and pyjamas you’ve been saving for this moment.

When your baby becomes old enough, will you be glad to put him or her to bed with a blanket? Read on to learn everything you want to know about baby blankets before tucking your little one in.

When Can Babies Have Blankets?

When infants can roll over and move around on their own, typically around the age of six months, they are old enough to have blankets in their cribs. On the other hand, it is strongly suggested that you use a thin blanket that allows air to pass through it, such as a muslin or cellular blanket.

You should also make sure that the blanket is tucked safely under the mattress and that it does not hide the baby’s face. Always make sure to follow the recommendations for how infants should sleep safely that have been issued by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

It is essential to keep in mind that a baby’s crib should not have any kind of blanket in it before they reach the age of six months, not even those that are thin or breathable. This warning applies to blankets of all kinds. This is because babies who are smothered or suffer from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) are more likely to pass away if they are covered by blankets or other types of soft bedding materials.

It is recommended that rather than utilizing a blanket to keep the infant warm, a sleep sack or wearable blanket should be used instead. These have been thoughtfully crafted to prevent overheating without putting the infant in danger of suffocating. Because they provide a more secure alternative to loose blankets, they are also suggested for use on babies older than 6 months.

Because excessive layering might cause a baby to overheat, it is essential to maintain an appropriate temperature in the area where the infant is sleeping and to outfit the infant with a warm sleeper. It is also strongly recommended that no toys, cushions, or stuffed animals of any kind be placed in the baby’s cot, as these items can also provide a suffocation risk to the infant.

Before introducing any new things, it is always preferable to contact a pediatrician, and it is important to follow the safe sleep standards published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

Dangers In Using Blankets To Your Babies

Using blankets in a baby’s crib can pose several dangers, including:

1. Suffocation:

Suffocation is the state of being unable to breathe as a result of an obstruction in the airways or a lack of oxygen in the surrounding environment. Suffocation can occur in the context of utilizing blankets in a baby’s crib when a blanket covers a baby’s face and nose, making it harder for them to breathe. This can lead to suffocation.

This may occur if the baby can pull the blanket over their face, or if the blanket is placed too close to the baby’s face in the first place. Even thin blankets can put a baby at risk of suffocating, particularly if they are not tucked safely beneath the mattress and potentially conceal the infant’s face. This is especially true if the blanket is not tucked securely under the mattress.

2. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS): 

The unexpected and unexpected death of an infant younger than one-year-old that cannot be explained after an exhaustive examination is referred to as sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is not known for certain what causes sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), although it is thought to be related to several factors, one of which is the sleeping environment of the newborn.

There is a correlation between the use of blankets in a baby’s cot and an increased incidence of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This is because blankets can make it harder for a baby to breathe by covering their face and nose. Additionally, blankets can trap heat and cause a newborn to get excessively warm, which can lead to overheating and an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends putting babies to sleep on their backs, using a firm sleep surface, maintaining the room at a comfortable temperature, and avoiding the use of soft bedding, including blankets, in a baby’s crib to cut down on the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Before introducing any new components to your baby’s sleeping environment, it is essential to first check with a pediatrician and adhere to the safe sleep standards that have been established by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

3. Overheating: 

When a person’s core body temperature rises to dangerously high levels, they are said to be overheating. When utilizing blankets in a baby’s crib, the baby can overheat if the blanket acts as a heat trap and causes the baby to get excessively warm. This may take place if the baby is overdressed for the temperature of the room, if the blanket is too thick, or if the room itself is too warm.

The incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) is enhanced in newborns who are overheated, making this a risk factor that should not be taken lightly (SIDS). Studies have revealed that the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is raised in newborns who sleep in environments that are too warm.

It is recommended that you use lightweight blankets that are breathable, such as muslin or cellular blankets, and that you make sure the room temperature is comfortable for the infant. This will help prevent the baby from overheating. In addition to this, it is essential to dress the infant adequately for the temperature of the room while resisting the temptation to overdress them.

4. Entanglement: 

Entanglement is the term used to describe the situation in which anything, like a blanket or a toy, causes an infant to become entangled or stuck in it. In the context of utilizing blankets in a baby’s crib, entanglement can occur when a baby becomes tangled in the blanket, which can lead to asphyxia or damage.

Entanglement can also occur when a baby becomes tangled in other objects in the crib. This may occur if the baby can move around too much while sleeping, or if the blanket is not secured tightly enough around them.

It is recommended that you choose a lightweight blanket that allows air to pass through it, such as a muslin or cellular blanket. Additionally, you should ensure that the blanket is tucked firmly under the mattress and that it does not cover the baby’s face. This will help prevent entanglement. You mustn’t put any toys, cushions, or plush animals in the infant’s crib because these items might also present a risk of asphyxia or entanglement for the child.

5. Loose Blanket Can Be A Choking Hazard: 

Babies run the risk of choking if they are wrapped in a blanket that is too big for them because it can easily become tangled around their face or head and restrict their airways. This may occur if the baby can move around too much while sleeping, or if the blanket is too large for them to comfortably use.

It is recommended that you use a lightweight blanket that allows air to pass through it, such as a muslin or cellular blanket, and that you make sure the blanket is tucked firmly under the mattress and does not hide the baby’s face. This will help avoid this from happening. You mustn’t put any toys, cushions, or plush animals in the baby’s crib because these items can also present a suffocation risk to the infant.

How Do I Keep My Baby Warm Without A Blanket?

There are several ways to keep a baby warm without using a blanket, including:

1. Dress The Baby In Warm Clothing:

If you want to keep a baby warm without using a blanket, one of the most efficient things you can do is dress the baby in warm clothing. This may consist of a warm sleeper or onesie as well as footed pyjamas to keep their feet toasty during the night. It is essential to dress the baby adequately for the temperature of the room, taking care not to overdress them.

Overdressing a newborn can result in the baby becoming overheated, which in turn increases the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) (SIDS).

In addition, it is essential to make certain that the baby’s clothes are not overly constrictive or tight, as this can prevent the infant from moving freely and make it difficult for the baby to breathe.

Dressing the infant in cotton or another material that allows air to circulate is highly recommended. It is also crucial to dress the infant in layers so that you may alter their attire to the temperature of the room as necessary. For instance, a onesie with long sleeves and a sleeper, with a thin blanket or a baby blanket draped over the top of them both.

2. Use A Sleep Sack Or Wearable Blanket:

If you want to avoid using a traditional blanket to keep your child warm, an effective alternative is to use a sleep sack or a wearable blanket. These have been thoughtfully crafted to prevent overheating without putting the infant in danger of suffocating. They often lack sleeves, which enables the child to have complete freedom of movement while also keeping the core of their body warm.

Cotton, fleece, and wool are just a few of the materials that may be used in the construction of sleep sacks. They are also available in a variety of thicknesses, allowing you to choose one that is suitable for the temperature of the space in which it will be used.

Wearable blankets are very similar to sleep sacks, with the exception that they are often made of a softer, stretchier cloth and feature a zipper or snaps that make it easy to put the baby in and take the infant out of the wearable blanket.

It is vital to follow the size and safety instructions while purchasing and using a wearable blanket or sleep sack, as some of these products are intended for different age groups and have special safety guidelines, such as avoiding using them with infants younger than six months old.

3. Keep The Room Temperature Comfortable: 

It is essential to keep the room temperature at a level that is suitable for the infant as a means of keeping them warm without the need for a blanket. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that the temperature of the room be maintained between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit as this is the range that is thought to be comfortable for infants.

It is essential to keep a thermometer in the room to keep track of the temperature and guarantee that it remains within the acceptable range. In addition to that, you may monitor the temperature in the baby’s room with the help of a room thermometer, which you can put there and then adjust as necessary.

It is also very vital to take into consideration the levels of humidity in the space. Dry skin, which can cause discomfort, can be caused by a room that is too dry, while uncomfortable skin can be caused by a room that is too humid, which can also raise the chance of mould growth.

4. Use A Heated Mattress Pad: 

There is a gadget known as a heated mattress pad that may be placed on top of the baby’s crib mattress to keep the baby warm. It is common for these mattress pads to incorporate a low-voltage heating element that brings the pad up to a reasonable temperature, which in turn heats the infant.

It is critical to make use of a heated mattress pad that has been developed specially for infants and to adhere very closely to the directions provided by the manufacturer.

In addition to this, it is essential to keep a close eye on the temperature of the pad and make sure that it does not become excessively warm. It is recommended that the temperature be maintained between 98 and 100 degrees Fahrenheit as this is the range that is thought to be comfortable for infants.

Additionally, you need to make sure that the pad is correctly fastened to the mattress of the crib. This will prevent the pad from moving around and posing a risk of suffocation or entanglement for your child.

5. Use A Baby Blanket:

One alternative to utilizing a conventional blanket to maintain a baby warm is to make use of a baby blanket. Because of their diminutive size and low weight, baby blankets are not as prone to cause asphyxia or strangulation in infants as larger blankets are.

They are also more manageable in size and typically come square, which makes it simple to tuck them around the infant without obstructing their view of the world.

Some baby blankets are made to be used as swaddling blankets, which means that they may be wrapped around the baby to keep them warm without running the risk of suffocating them. Infants who are not yet able to roll over and move around on their own independently may benefit from this in particular.

When using a baby blanket, it is essential to check that the blanket is not excessively huge or heavy, that it is tucked safely under the mattress, and that it does not conceal the baby’s face. You mustn’t put any toys, cushions, or plush animals in the infant’s crib because these items might also present a risk of asphyxia or entanglement for the child.

6. Use A Room Thermometer: 

It is possible to keep a baby warm without using a blanket if you use a room thermometer to determine whether or not the temperature in the room is at a level that is appropriate for the infant. A room thermometer can be utilized to keep the temperature of the baby’s room within the acceptable range of 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.

This range is recommended by medical professionals. This can assist prevent overheating, which can be deadly for infants, as well as cooling, which can also be dangerous.

Traditional thermometers that use mercury, digital thermometers, and smart thermometers that can be controlled and monitored through the use of an app on a smartphone are some of the varieties of room thermometers that are currently on the market.

It is essential to position the thermometer in the baby’s bedroom, preferably close to the baby’s crib, to obtain a reliable reading of the temperature in the area where the baby sleeps. In addition to this, it is essential to check the temperature on the thermometer at regular intervals and make appropriate adjustments as required.

Conclusion

So, when can babies have blankets? It is suggested that infants do not have blankets in their cribs until they can roll over and move around on their own, which typically occurs between the ages of 4 and 6 months. This is because babies who are smothered or suffer from Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) are more likely to pass away if they are covered by blankets or other types of soft bedding materials.

It is recommended that a wearable blanket or sleep sack be used to keep the infant warm before the baby reaches the age of six months. These have been thoughtfully crafted to prevent overheating without putting the infant in danger of suffocating.

It is necessary to make sure that the room temperature is appropriate for the infant, which should be around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit. Additionally, it is important not to overdress the baby to prevent the baby from overheating. It is also strongly recommended that no toys, cushions, or stuffed animals of any kind be placed in the baby’s cot, as these items can also provide a suffocation risk to the infant.

Before introducing any new things, it is always preferable to contact a pediatrician, and it is important to follow the safe sleep standards published by the American Academy of Pediatrics.

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