Transitional objects, like a blanket, provide special comfort to help babies progress emotionally from dependence to independence by giving them a “good feeling.” They are pleasant to touch and can comfort babies while they sleep. Blankets are dangerous for newborns as they increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), but what about toddlers?
Blankets are considered safe for sleep after 12 months of age. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that allowing toddlers to sleep with a blanket is safer after they are a year old, and the risk of SIDS decreases even more if you hold off on giving your child a blanket until they are 18 months old. As toddlers develop a better ability to move and control their muscles, they can pick up and move items at will.
Today we’re looking at the best time for your child to sleep with a blanket safely.
Key points
- Experts recommend only letting your baby sleep with a blanket after twelve months old
- Babies who sleep with a blanket have a higher risk of SIDS because these objects are asphyxiation hazards
Content In This Article
- Why Are Blankets A Safety Issue?
- Is It Safe To Swaddle My Baby In A Blanket?
- How Do I Keep My Baby Warm Before They Can Use A Blanket?
- What Kind Of Blankets Should I Use?
- How Can I Introduce A Blanket To My Toddler?
- Safe Sleep Guidelines For Toddlers
Why Are Blankets A Safety Issue?
Experts caution parents against allowing their newborn to sleep with a blanket or soft bedding because of the risk of SIDS they present to their baby. SIDS is often diagnosed when a baby unexpectedly dies from suffocation, strangulation, overheating, or an unknown cause.
Babies cannot always control their movements during their sleep. Therefore, allowing them to sleep with loose bedding significantly increases their risk of SIDS because your baby could pull the blanket over their face or accidentally wrap it around their neck, and they could suffocate.
So, you can see why blankets are a big no-no for infants, especially when sleeping. It’s not just blankets – stuffed animals, pillows, and sleep positioners are also a huge risk. According to the Sleep Foundation, blankets are not safe for sleeping babies younger than 12 months.
Is It Safe To Swaddle My Baby In A Blanket?
It is perfectly safe to swaddle your baby in a breathable blanket until they move around more. Swaddling a baby can keep them feeling safe and secure during those first newborn weeks. You are wrapping your baby tightly in a blanket on purpose, so they can’t move around much but stay warm and cosy.
Many parents might link the risk of a baby sleeping with a loose blanket to swaddling a baby. When you give your baby loose bedding, they can move it around. The ability to move the blanket poses a risk because they can pull it over their faces or into a position that would block their airways.
Swaddling is best used for newborns under four to six months old, though. According to Healthy Children, infants start to get stronger and learn to roll over between two and six months old. Babies who roll over when swaddled might not be able to roll backwards, which might prevent them from clearing their airways.
So, swaddling is age-dependent. Once a baby shows signs of being able to roll over, swaddling should be discontinued.
How Do I Keep My Baby Warm Before They Can Use A Blanket?
There are many other ways that you can use to keep your baby warm, such as a wearable blanket, a heater, and more. These methods will keep your child warm and cosy in the evenings, even if they’re older than 18 months. Below we have detailed some ways to keep your baby warm:
- Dress Your Baby Well
You can dress your baby in a warm set of clothes or layer them if the temperature or your baby’s room is cold. However, avoid adding too many layers, as you don’t want them to overheat. A good way to gauge how you would dress them is to add only what you would comfortably wear at the same temperature.
- Swaddling Your Baby
The swaddle can make your baby feel comfortable and safe as it mimics the womb because of the restricted space. It’s safe for infants who haven’t learned to roll over, and a properly wrapped swaddle blanket is an excellent way to keep your baby warm. You’ll close their arms and legs using a thin blanket, restricting their movements.
When the swaddle just isn’t enough, then you can give your baby some warm clothes to wear with it. Likewise, if you think they will overheat in the swaddle, layer them with less.
- Using A Sleep Sack
The swaddle sleep sack or wearable blanket sleeper is a brilliant alternative to swaddling when your baby is older, and it’s no longer safe. The sleep sack is a baby-sized sleeping bag that keeps their arms out and moveable while their legs are covered in a non-restrictive sleeping bag. Sleep sacks come in different TOG ratings, so you can choose the best for the temperature, keeping your baby warm all year round.
- Turn Up The Temperature
Keeping your baby’s room between 20 to 22°C is ideal for making it nice and cosy. Using a heater or an air conditioner is an easy way to keep your baby warm and comfortable and help them sleep well through the night, but you shouldn’t turn up the heat too much. You want the temperature to regulate well to avoid your baby overheating.
What Kind Of Blankets Should I Use?
When you start allowing your baby to sleep with a blanket, it needs to be one in which they can move around. Large and thick blankets can be heavy and increase the risk of SIDS, as your child might not be able to move out from underneath it in their sleep.
Instead, use a thin, breathable blanket that is appropriately sized for your toddler so that if it happens to go over their face, they can pull it off quickly.
Avoid blankets that are segmented or have strings or ribbons hanging from them. These blankets increase the risk of your child wrapping them around their necks by accident and choking on them. Instead, always buy a blanket that is one whole piece of material.
According to Red Nose Australia, weighted blankets should be avoided as they have been associated with deaths in infants and young children.
How Can I Introduce A Blanket To My Toddler?
Once your baby is old enough to safely sleep with a blanket, you can introduce it to their sleep routine. Below we have detailed a few tips on how to do this:
Safety Comes First!
No matter how cute or cosy the blanket looks, your top priority is ensuring it is safe for your baby. The comforter should be an appropriate size, lightweight and free of choking hazards. The best material is something breathable, such as cotton or bamboo. Make sure it has no string or loose thread, and avoid fluffy blankets that could shed throughout the night.
Sleep With It For A Few Nights
There’s nothing more comforting for babies than their parents’ scent. Many parents find that sleeping with their baby’s blanket for a few nights before introducing it to their bed makes them more likely to sleep soundly with it. This is because your familiar scent will give your little one massive reassurance.
Encourage Your Toddler To Use Their Blanket
Toddlers might not care for a blanket that has randomly been placed in their sleep space. So, you can encourage them to use it by placing it in their hands, tucking it into the cot, or positioning it under their armpit as they rest. Repeat this as often as needed, allowing them to acknowledge it’s there. As they get more used to the blanket, they will eventually start finding it themselves.
Give Your Toddler Their Blanket At Every Sleeptime
As always, consistency is the key! Ensure that you give your toddler their blanket every time they go to sleep, be it a short nap or nighttime sleep. This will help your child develop a sleep association with their blanket and get them to settle quickly.
Never use the blanket during playtime or daycare; this will cause them to associate it with playtime and have adverse effects when getting them to sleep.
Safe Sleep Guidelines For Toddlers
Many parents are concerned about safe sleep guidelines for newborns, as this is when the risk of SIDS is highest. However, there are still several guidelines that you should consider when safely putting your toddler to sleep. We have detailed some tips for safe toddler sleep below:
- Keep your toddler’s bed away from strings, ties, window blind pulls, curtains, and electrical wires
- Make sure furniture has been securely attached to the walls, as well as picture frames, mobiles, and other things your toddler might be able to pull into their bed
- Prevent adding anything to the cot that could be used for climbing, such as large stuffed animals, thick blankets, and pillows
- Allow your child to dictate how they sleep, including their position, their bedding, and their stuffed toys
- Make sure their mattress is firm, comfortable, and breathable
- Keep the bedroom at a suitable temperature between 18 and 22 degrees Celsius
Final Thoughts On When Can Toddler Sleep With Blanket
Allowing a baby to sleep with a blanket can increase the risk of SIDS, but this risk reduces after their first birthday. That is why most experts suggest waiting until your child is at least 12 to 18 months old before allowing them to sleep with a blanket.
However, the risk of SIDS does not disappear completely after this milestone, so it’s essential to follow our baby bedding rules to choose the right time to start introducing your toddler to sleeping with a blanket. Consider a wearable blanket, as these cannot be pulled up to cover your child’s nose and mouth.