When Can a Baby Sleep With a Blanket – Toddler Safe Sleep Practices

One of the most common questions that new parents ask about their baby’s sleep schedule is when it is appropriate for your baby to sleep with a blanket. The typical answer to this question is 12 months. However, as a parent it is important to understand why this is, so you can have valuable information about your baby and their sleep schedule, and avoid similar hazards.

In this article, we will take you through why a blanket can be hazardous to a baby, and explain when it is appropriate to introduce a blanket to their sleep schedule. We will also cover a couple of blankets that we think are a great choice for when you are finally ready to give them a blanket. 

Why Can’t They Sleep With a Blanket?

As many parents know, a blanket actually presents some pretty serious risks to a baby’s sleep.

The main risk, of course, is smothering, suffocation, and SIDS. Blankets are simply too loose for newborns up to a year old. These risks are serious and real, and not something you want to risk at all.

In fact, blankets aren’t the only thing that presents this risk. It extends to anything soft or overly loose within your baby’s sleeping environment. Your baby needs a firm, predictable sleeping environment, and you should, therefore, exclude things such as pillows, soft or deep mattress pads, comforters, stuffed animals, sheepskins, soft toys, or bumper pads. As a general rule, avoid anything that is overly soft or loose, and only allows your baby to sleep on a firm mattress pad or approved baby product.

Before you buy anything for your baby to sleep with, research the risks and know the proper usage. You will be happy you did, as a safe sleep is one of the most essential parts of caring for a newborn.

Parents often have the concern that their baby will be cold with no blanket, but this is actually not true. As long as your room is of a proper temperature, and your baby is wearing snug, warm pajamas, then your baby will be quite comfortable without a blanket.

So make sure you avoid these hazards as a parent. Your baby will be very comfortable without these things, and you can have that all-important peace of mind that they can safely sleep through the night.

When Can They Sleep with a Blanket?

So, the all-important question, when can we give a baby a blanket? The general rule here is 12 months.

The general thinking here is that by the time your baby is a year old, they are able to roll over, sit-up, and get objects away from their faces. As long as your baby is able to do this, they should be safe to sleep with a blanket or even things such as stuffed animals.

At this point, the risk of dying from SIDS is diminished, and their increased mobility diminishes the risk of suffocation as well.

Of course, if you are truly unsure about whether or not your baby can handle sleeping with a blanket, it is always a good idea to talk to your doctor about any concerns you may have. All babies are different, and your baby may have a special set of needs that your doctor can make you aware of.

So while it is always important to keep in mind these general rules, and the reasons behind them, it is also important to remember that your baby is special. General rules don’t always apply to every baby, so it is always better safe than sorry. Talk to your doctor, you will be glad that you did.

Products

Once you are sure your baby is ready to sleep with a blanket, or with various other things such as stuffed animals or pillows, you will find that there are many options out there! In fact, the choices can be quite overwhelming.

Here are a couple of great blanket options for your baby that we are sure you will enjoy:

TILLYOU Allergy-Free Quilted Cotton Baby Blanket for All-Seasons

This is a great blanket that was specifically designed to meet your baby’s needs.

At 39 x 39 inches, it is a great size for a crib or a bed and perfectly sized for your baby.

It is also hypoallergenic and free of fire retardants or odor. This blanket is great if your baby has very specific needs or sensitive skin.

Of course, the most important feature of a blanket is that it is soft, and this blanket is just that. It is made of 100% padded microfiber filling. It is soft and warm enough for even winter nights.

This is a great blanket that is suitable for many babies’ varying needs, with a very fair price tag.

Hudson Baby Plush Blanket with Furry Binding and Back

Another great, soft choice for your baby. This is a fuzzy, soft blanket that your baby will find very comfortable. It is also machine washable, which any parent knows is a plus.

This blanket is designed for softness above all else, and just by looking at it you can see that it achieves this. It is very stylish, and comes in pink or blue options!

Conclusion

We hope that this article has given you some insight on when your baby can sleep with a blanket. We also hope that you now understand why this is. As a parent, it is important to understand general guidelines, but it is almost more important to understand why these guidelines are there. This way, you can adapt and overcome any similar risks that might present themselves. We hope you have found this article educational, and have also enjoyed our recommendations for when it comes time to give your baby a blanket of their very own.