We strive to give our babies the best comfort we can offer. I know it does not feel fine to put your baby to sleep without any comforts you have in your bed like pillows, and blankets but the baby needs to sleep alone till they grow up a little. It just broke my heart to think that those cute blankets I bought in my baby shopping spree are only a suffocation hazard for the newborn. But the safety of the baby comes first and the blankets can wait, right?
Keep reading to know why a blanket is dangerous to your baby, blanket safety tips, and recommendations for alternatives.
CONTENT
- When can my baby sleep with a blanket?
- Why are blankets dangerous to babies?
- Can a baby have a swaddle blanket in the bassinet?
- Are blankets safe while co-sleeping/bed-sharing?
- How can I cover my newborn safely?
- How to keep the baby warm at night?
- The best temperature for the babies
- When is it safe to use a security blanket?
When can my baby sleep with a blanket?
According to the American Association of Pediatricians, a baby should not be put to sleep with a blanket or loose soft bedding at least for the first year of their life. The crib should be completely empty with not even crib liners or bumpers.
Even though the blankets and soft bedding can be light, they can block the baby’s airway, restrict their movement and increase the risk for SIDS. Till the baby becomes one, you can use a sleep sack or such an alternative for a blanket to ensure the baby is warm in his sleep.
When the baby is old enough, he can start using a light soft blanket that does not bring in the risks of suffocation and strangulations. Heavy quilts, weighted blankets, and comforters are not suitable for babies or not even for toddlers. Make sure you use a blanket of light breathable fabric such as muslin leaving no room for any accident.
Why are blankets dangerous to babies?
There is a large number of infant death reporting from the United States which are caused by strangulation and suffocation accidents happened in the bed during sleep. The saddest finding by the research conducted in the country reveals that 50% of the parents still offer blankets, pillows, and other comforters to their babies in sleep even when they are educated about the possible dangers. If it happens at a larger rate how can someone be so sure that it will not happen to your baby?
The American Association of Pediatrics states that babies should never be allowed to sleep near a blanket, pillow, or quilt as they are hazardous to newborns. These items can easily block the oxygen supply of the baby by obstructing the airway. Babies move while sleeping and these comforters can trap the baby in a suffocating position making it unable for him to roll over. Blankets and other comfort items are also a known risk factor leading to SIDS. When you know the danger clear and fine, the best is to avoid that risk and not offer your baby any blanket at least for 12 months.

Can the baby have a swaddle blanket in the bassinet?
Swaddling is a popular lesson in parenting classes and courses which you might have enjoyed. It is fascinating to watch cute videos where someone demonstrates a quick way to swaddle your baby into a warm bundle. The popularity of swaddling has promoted the misconception that swaddling blankets are fully safe.
A swaddling blanket is a soft light fabric but still carries the risk of suffocation and strangulation if the baby manages to unwrap it. A newborn can be smothered easily by a blanket irrespective of how light it is. There are safer swaddling techniques but they will also have the risk of being unwrapped which is not zero. Considering the number of suffocation and strangulation-related infant deaths happening in the US each year, you should decide whether you use a swaddling blanket or not.
Are blankets safe while co-sleeping/bed-sharing?
Co-sleeping is a debating topic around the world. There are varying opinions clashing each other but the American Association of Pediatrics does not recommend co-sleeping or bed-sharing considering its risk for the baby. They identify co-sleeping as a cause of SIDS and other sleep accident-related infant deaths. But it is unavoidable that we fall asleep with the baby in our beds or in sofas while feeding them or trying to make them sleep.
American Association of Pediatrics states that it is safer for a baby to fall asleep in a bed free of breath obstructions such as blankets and pillows rather than in a sofa or a chair. When you take the baby to the bed for feeding, remove the blankets and pillows, so you do not have to feel guilty if you fall asleep with the baby on the bed.
It is recommended for the babies to sleep on a firm surface with no suffocation and strangulation hazards close to their parents. Nevertheless, you are free to choose what is best for you and your baby. If you decide to co-sleep and share the bed with your baby, make sure there are no blankets, pillows, quilts, or other possible suffocation hazards in the bed.
How can I cover my newborn safely?
Babies love to be warm and comfy in their sleep. But the comforters go out of the options list due to the safety risks that we discussed before. There are many alternatives available in the market to make your little ones warm and safe while they sleep. Velcro swaddles, sleep sacks, and fleece footed pajamas are safe substitutions for babies which you can use without a worry.
How to keep the baby warm at night?
Swaddles are the traditional method of keeping babies warm in the few months of their life. But as the baby moves, the blanket gets undone creating a suffocation risk for the baby. Velcro sleep sacks and swaddle wraps are a safe, convenient alternative for swaddles that can be purchased easily at affordable prices. When the baby grows old and refuses to be swaddled, these sleep sacks can be used to keep the baby warm.
There are sleep sacks that look like an ordinary pajama as well as ones that can be worn over a pajama. Both of these options are safe and comfortable for your baby so you can go with whatever your baby prefers.
If you are putting a sleep sack over a normal pajama, make sure the baby is not overheating. Multiple layers can make it too warm to sleep and the baby’s body is not that good at regulating temperature. Traditional footed pajama is also an alternative for your baby in case you do not like sleep sacks. Find the pajamas that fit well to your baby as extra-large ill-fitting footed pajamas will not serve the purpose.

The best temperature for the babies
We think the babies love to be warm and comfy like we do. But the research reveals that babies tend to sleep better in cooler temperatures than the temperatures we usually consider comfortable. The safest temperature range for babies to sleep is between 65-70 degrees of Fahrenheit. Sleeping at this level of temperature avoids over-heating the baby and minimizes the risk of SIDS.
When is it safe to use a security blanket?
Security blankets are smaller in size so less risky for a baby. But there are security blankets that are made of heavy materials or with soft toys which can be hazardous to the baby. You can use a security blanket as long as it is small in size, breathable, and light.