Colin Snow
It is important to take precautions when letting a 10-month-old sleep with a blanket. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping soft objects and loose bedding out of a baby's sleep area for at least the first 12 months. This is because blankets can pose a risk of suffocation, strangulation, and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). While some parents choose to introduce blankets earlier, it is important to ensure that the baby can move the blanket on their own and that it does not cover their face. To keep a baby warm without a blanket, parents can use a sleep sack, swaddle, or wearable blanket.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Safety | Blankets can be a hazard in the crib. About 3,600 babies die unexpectedly every year while sleeping due to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation. The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that it is not safe for a baby to sleep with a blanket while they are less than a year old. |
| Alternatives | To keep the baby warm, parents can use a sleep sack or a wearable blanket sleeper. |
| Exceptions | Some parents have let their 10-month-old babies sleep with a blanket. |
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What You'll Learn
The risk of SIDS decreases after 12 months
It is generally advised that babies under one year old should not sleep with a blanket. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents wait until their baby reaches at least 12 months of age before introducing a blanket into their sleep space. Introducing a blanket too early increases the risk of accidental suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
SIDS is the sudden and unexplained death of an infant between the ages of 1 month and 1 year old, and it is the leading cause of death in this age group in the United States. While the exact cause of SIDS is unknown, there are known risk factors, and certain precautions can be taken to reduce the likelihood of it occurring. One of the most important precautions is to ensure that a baby's sleep space is safe and that they are placed on their back to sleep, both for naps and at night-time.
The risk of SIDS decreases significantly after a baby reaches 12 months of age. This is because most 12-month-olds have developed the physical ability to roll over, sit up, or move their head if their face becomes covered by a blanket or soft toy, reducing the risk of suffocation. Additionally, by 12 months, babies are more likely to have developed a consistent sleep pattern and may be sleeping for longer stretches at night, which can also contribute to a reduced risk of SIDS.
While the risk of SIDS decreases after 12 months, it is important to continue following safe sleep practices for babies. This includes using a firm mattress in the baby's crib, ensuring that the crib is free of loose items such as blankets, pillows, toys, and stuffed animals, and maintaining a cool and comfortable temperature in the baby's room. It is also recommended to continue room-sharing with the baby for at least the first year of life, as this has been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS by up to 50%.
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Soft bedding increases the risk of suffocation
The AAP's recommendation is based on data around infant sleep deaths and guidelines for reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). About 3,600 babies in the United States die unexpectedly every year while sleeping, often due to SIDS, suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation. Blankets increase the risk of all four.
Even when a child is older, a blanket with long strings or ribbons on the edges can wrap around their neck and choke them. Therefore, it is important to consider the design of the blanket, in addition to the age of the child, when deciding whether it is safe to introduce a blanket into their sleeping environment.
If your baby needs extra warmth, there are safer alternatives to blankets. For example, you can keep their room between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit at night, dress them in a sleep sack or swaddle, or use a firm mattress in their crib.
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Swaddling is safer than loose blankets
Swaddling is an ancient practice of snugly wrapping a baby in a blanket or a sheet to help them feel secure as it mimics the mother's womb. It is a popular practice for generations and is commonly practised in hospitals and homes. Swaddling can be done safely from birth until the baby starts trying to roll over (usually around 3 to 4 months but can vary). It is important to ensure that the baby sleeps on their back while swaddled.
Loose blankets increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), accidental strangulation, and suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises against introducing blankets until the baby is at least 12 months old. The AAP also recommends placing babies on their back to sleep in their own sleeping space, such as a crib with a fitted sheet, and no loose blankets, pillows, or toys.
It is important to learn the correct technique for swaddling to ensure the baby's safety. The swaddle should be snug but not too tight, and the baby's hips and legs should have some flexibility to prevent hip dysplasia. Modern swaddles with fasteners, such as zippers or Velcro, can be safer and more convenient than traditional swaddling with a blanket.
In summary, swaddling can be a safer alternative to loose blankets for infants until they start trying to roll over. It provides warmth, security, and comfort while reducing the risk of SIDS and accidental suffocation. However, it is crucial to follow safe swaddling practices and guidelines to ensure the baby's safety.
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Keep the crib relatively empty
It is important to keep your baby's crib relatively empty, especially during the early days. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping soft objects and loose bedding out of the sleeping area for at least the first 12 months. This is because babies can suffocate under blankets, pillows, bumpers, and stuffed toys. In fact, the AAP advises that it is not safe for a baby to sleep with a blanket while they are less than a year old.
Soft bedding in a baby's sleeping area increases the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Therefore, it is recommended that babies sleep in their cribs with no loose bedding—just a tight-fitting sheet. You can put a thin, tight-fitting mattress pad under the sheet to protect against diaper leaks. The mattress should be firm and fit snugly in the crib, with no space between it and the crib's walls. It should not be made of memory foam, which can be too soft and pose a safety hazard.
Babies have not yet developed the muscle strength and coordination to deal with crib items the way an older child or adult can. Even when a child is older, a blanket with long strings or ribbons on the edges can wrap around and choke them. Therefore, it is important to keep the crib clear of blankets, pillows, toys, and bumpers. These items pose many of the same suffocation risks as loose bedding and can also be used by older children to climb out of the crib.
If your baby needs another layer for warmth, you can use a sleep sack or swaddle. A properly wrapped swaddle blanket or a swaddle sleep sack can be used safely from birth until your baby starts trying to roll over (at around 3 or 4 months). Make sure your baby sleeps on their back while swaddled. During the winter months, you can keep your baby warm by maintaining a room temperature between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Babies only need one more layer than an adult to keep warm. So, if you're comfortable in pajamas with a blanket, they'll be okay with a onesie layered under a sleeper and a sleep sack or swaddle.
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Wearable blankets are safer than loose blankets
It is recommended that babies under 12 months old sleep in a crib with no loose items, such as blankets, pillows, toys, or stuffed animals, to prevent the risk of suffocation. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) advises that it is not safe for a baby to sleep with a blanket while they are less than a year old. The AAP recommends keeping loose blankets and sheets out of a baby's sleep space for the first 12 months of life to reduce the risk of sleep-related injury.
Sleep sacks, or wearable blankets, are a safer alternative to loose blankets for babies. They provide an extra layer of warmth without restricting a baby's arms and can be used from birth. Sleep sacks have been shown to be as safe as, if not safer than, other bedding for infants. They provide the warmth and comfort of a blanket without the risk of suffocation or strangulation.
Loose blankets can pose a hazard in a baby's crib, increasing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation. The ideal temperature for good sleep for a baby is between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit in all seasons, and they only need one more layer than an adult to keep warm. So, if an adult is comfortable in pajamas with a blanket, a baby will be warm with a onesie layered under a sleeper and a sleep sack or swaddle.
Sleep sacks can also help cue that it's time for sleep, making bedtime easier. They are available in various sizes and can accommodate children up to 2 years old or even larger sizes for toddlers up to 5T. The AAP recommends using sleep sacks once a baby starts showing signs of rolling, as they provide a safe alternative to swaddling or using loose blankets.
In summary, wearable blankets, or sleep sacks, are safer than loose blankets for babies under 12 months old. They provide warmth and comfort while reducing the risk of sleep-related injuries and SIDS.
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Frequently asked questions
No, it is not recommended that a baby sleeps with a blanket before they turn one. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping soft objects and loose bedding out of the sleeping area for at least the first 12 months.
Soft bedding in a baby's sleeping area increases the risk of suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). About 3,600 babies in the US die unexpectedly every year while sleeping, often due to SIDS, suffocation, entrapment or strangulation.
You can keep your baby warm by dressing them in a sleep sack or a wearable blanket sleeper. These one-piece outfits come with snaps, a zipper or an elasticated gather at the bottom and are made to cover your baby's body, but not their head. You can also keep your baby's room between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit at night.
