When Can Babies Sleep With A Blanket?

Want to know when can babies sleep with a blanket?

Then this guide will tell you everything you need to know about babies and blankets.

You know what it feels like to sleep without a blanket.

You can become awfully cold and in general just not as comfy as you would feel wrapped in a big cozy blanket.

If you’ve recently had or are expecting a baby you may feel the need to wrap them up and leave them feeling a freshly made burrito.

However it’s really not recommended as it can increase the risk of suffocation for new born babies.

But that leaves the question, well when is it okay to start giving your baby a blanket and pillow to cozy on up with.

After all that’s what we do when we’re cold right?

So let’s talk about what age can babies sleep with a blanket!

And if you love this guide to are blankets safe for babies, then make sure to check out these guides on how many blankets does a baby need, how to dress a newborn baby for sleep, and newborn baby sleep tips. Or even our guide on the best sleep sacks for toddlers.

blankets in the crib

When Can Babies Sleep With A Blanket?

Well at first you want to make sure that your baby is comfortable sleeping on a firm mattress in their night time attire

This will minimize any risk of accidental suffocation and allow your baby the correct space to move freely in their sleep around their crib.

It’s also not recommended to have any soft objects in the crib with the baby at first as tempting as it is. This too can cause an accidental suffocation.

It is recommended that you leave it at least 12 months before placing a blanket and pillow inside your baby’s crib while they sleep.

blanket in crib

Larger Objects

It is recommended that you do not place any large objects such as toys with any loose fitting things like eyes as this can increase the risk of choking if they begin to wear and fall off.

Another aspect of this is that you don’t want any objects that could crush your baby while they sleep at night, this can be a danger as your child rolls around the crib as it could fall on top of them leaving them without the ability to move.

Small children are known to be very active when sleeping so you may find that instead of something like a blanket, a sleepsack or “Footsies” may be your best option, these allow you babies to remain warm while they sleep and completely minimizes the risk of suffocation that they may face otherwise.

Until your baby reaches an older age you may find these to be your best option when thinking of what they could sleep in.

Once you have decided that your child is old enough and big enough it is recommended that you use a tight fitted blanket and tuck it into the side of the mattress so as to not allow your child to tug and pull it out from underneath.

It is also recommended that you pull it no higher than your child’s chest height. 

baby sleeping with a blanket

Night Time Tips

Like previously mentioned it is imperative that you keep the crib as an open space for the first year of the baby’s life.

It’s important to note that zero “special mattresses” have been found to reduce the risk of suffocation amongst babies but that being said it has been found that pacifiers have been shown to reduce the risk of suffocation so if you use one with your child it is recommended to allow them to sleep with it for a while. 

Another element of your baby’s sleeping routine that you should take note of is that it’s suggested that the crib should be in the same room as the parents bed.

This is suggested for the first 6 months although nobody would think any differently of you if you decided to leave it that way for the first year all together.

It is however, not recommended that the baby shares the same bed as you particularly if you are a smoker or perhaps on certain medications that can make you a restless sleeper, not only does it increase risk for the baby but it can in general keep waking them up if you are rolling about in your sleep.

Although if you deem it necessary to have your baby in the same bed as you then you should take into account that you should remove your blankets and pillows as once again this can lead to suffocation amongst infants.

It is also not suggested that you allow your baby to sleep with you if you haven’t had much sleep over the previous 24 hours. 

Another is when you are preparing your baby for bed to dress them in one more layer than you would dress yourself for bed, this allows them to remain at a comfortable temperature while they sleep without the added risk that a blanket possesses.

You can check to see if your baby is too warm or too cold by simply checking the back of the neck to see if it is in fact sweaty.

Of course you should make sure that your baby’s sleeping area remains on the cooler side of things in general so as to not allow them to over heat. 

You may also like our guides on the best heater for nursery and best fans for nursery!

Final Thoughts on Baby Sleeping With a Blanket

Although it seems like a brilliant idea at first to make your baby look and feel as comfortable as possible, for the first 12 months of the baby’s life you should avoid the urge to place them under a blanket with a pillow surrounded by their toys.

It simply isn’t safe for you to do this. To minimize the risk of suffocating you need to leave the area of the crib a completely open space.

To keep your child warm during this period you should dress them in just one more layer than you would dress yourself in and to leave the pacifier in the child’s mouth as it is seen to reduce the risk.

If you decide that your baby is ready to sleep with a blanket or pillow that you make sure that it is tucked tightly around a firm mattress and ensure that you do not pull that blanket above the baby’s chest height.

Of course these are recommendations and should be taken as such. You should be considering how much of an active sleeper your baby is when making this decision.

And if you’re looking for more great guides, then check out these sleeping guides on how to keep a baby warm at night, best nightlight for baby, what should baby wear under sleep sack, and where to put a humidifier in a nursery.

When Can Babies Sleep With A Blanket