When is the right time to let a child go to sleep with a blanket?

Katherine - posted on 04/23/2010

my 4 month old is a blanket baby she uses a light receiving blanket every night... but if your not comfortable letting her sleep all night with a blanket give it to her while she is falling asleep and then before you go to bed gently take it away she probably wont even notice its gone..

Laurie - posted on 04/21/2010

Thank you for all your responses! VERY HELPFUL!

Amanda - posted on 04/21/2010

My son slept with a blanket when he was born but when he became 4-5 Months I had to keep it away from him cause he would always cover his face with a blanket Now he just turned 1 and i've put a blanket back with him since he was about 8-9 Months Old and had no problems with it so far

Heather - posted on 04/21/2010

hi laurie - we use sleep blankets at nap time and night time. my daughter moves way too much to keep a blanket on her, but more than that i am nervous to put a blanket in with her. when the weather was cooler, i used a microfleece halo sleep blanket at night. during naptimes, a cotton halo. now that it's gotten warmer, we've been switching off between the cotton halo and a muslin aden + anais sleep blanket.

Tammy - posted on 04/21/2010

my daughter is 11 months old and she has slept with a blanket ever since we brought her home from the hospital. she wont go to sleep without it now, has to rub her fingers in it or rub it against her face in order to fall asleep at night

Michelle - posted on 04/21/2010

my son is 10 months old and i already cover him up with a blanket. he is still living and he does sleep alot better when covered. so i think u can cover her up with a blanket now.

Crystal - posted on 04/20/2010

both my sons have slept with a blanket now is fine to start be carfull of the one u use hold the blanket to your face and see if you can breath fine if you can its a good blanket to use start with a naptime and see how she does does she sleep with her face in it if so shes not ready if not she is choose one big enough to cover her but not big enough to swoddle her in

Melissa - posted on 04/20/2010

its usually recommended to not use a blanket until ur baby can roll over on their own both ways

Sandrella - posted on 04/20/2010

My baby's six and a half months and has never slept with a blanket. For the first five weeks, my husband and I took shifts sleeping, as she would sleep on our chest-chest-to-chest. Then I swaddled her and she was able to sleep in her crib. For the past couple of months, after getting too big to be swaddled, I just put her in her crib just in her sleeper. I make sure the room is nice and warm, and I have a humidifier running too so the air isn't dry from the heat. She's always moving around in her sleep, and I never find her in the same position I put her in! I put her on her back and she usually rolls over to her side to sleep. When I check on her before going to bed, she's usually on her tummy, or still on her side but in a different part of the crib. I don't think I'm going to use a blanket on her until she's old enough not to be moving around so much-maybe when she's two. She loves her freedom! You know your baby best, so do what you feel is right for him/her.

Julie - posted on 04/20/2010

Both of my kids had blankets from the day they came home from the hospital and I have never had a problem with them. they both tend to kick the blankets off them anyway.

Diane - posted on 04/19/2010

My son has been using a blanket from about 4/5 months old. We use a crocheted blanket for him, so if it does cover his face it is more breathable. Also, I don't put the blanket on him until after he falls asleep, so he doesn't play with it and pull it over his face. Now that he is nearly 11 months he will change positions a lot at night and he often shoves the blanket underneath him, and snuggles with it, but since he is able to move the blanket around on his own I don't worry too much about it.

Cassie - posted on 04/19/2010

I started putting a blanket in with my daughter when she was born. The nurses at the hospital didn't complain about putting a blanket on my daughter. My daughter has to have a blanket on her or she will be a cranky girl. She is 10 months old and she is doing good with a blanket. I was told not to put a blanket on my daughter, but she wouldn't go to sleep without one.

Lisa - posted on 04/19/2010

Does your daughter crawl or roll over? Does she have good head control? If yes, then my opinion is to go right ahead and give her a nice soft blanket. Personally, both of my kids have slept in our bed at some point and have had blankets in their cribs from day one. They are both fine. Do what you are comfortable with. You are the mom and you will know what is best for your baby.

Rachelle - posted on 04/19/2010

i've always gave my daughter a blanket she wont sleep unless its over her head lol i was never told not to

Katie - posted on 04/19/2010

I have never heard not to give a baby a blanket...both of my kids had a blanket from the time they were born. The only thing I heard was no pillow, but not a blanket, if she sleeps better with it then I would give it to her!

Michelle - posted on 04/19/2010

Seth will be 7 months this week, he has an afghan that he loves to sleep with. As soon as I cover him with it, he pulls it up to his face and snuggles with it for a bit. By the time he is asleep, it is usually down around his waist. I can tell the difference at bedtime if he doesn't have his blankie.

Sarah - posted on 04/19/2010

My son was born in December so he was always well covered. We swaddled him every night with a receiving blanket and then put a baby blanket over him as well. We did this until he started to roll over and then we wanted him to be able to have his hands and arms free. He has since had a blanket but usually snuggles it rather than uses it for warmth, unfortunately. I dont feel that there is any harm in giving a baby a blanket once he or she can roll over unassisted and comfortably. This way they will learn that a blanket is for warmth sooner. Hope this helps.

Stephani - posted on 04/19/2010

My son is almost 7 now and my daughter is 3 and a half months. I used a blanket with both of them from the beginning. I just made sure they were swaddled so they couldnt get it on their face. I also would leave their arms out of the swaddle so if they started moving they couldnt pull the blanket up.

Sally - posted on 04/19/2010

My daughter has also used a blanket since she was born. Our doctor said it was fine as long as you use a crocheted/knitted blanket because of the holes. Fleece blankets are no good at such an early age. As a newborn i would wrap the blanket underneath her and since she hardly moved it was fine. Now that she is 15 months old I use a regular blanket on her and she is just fine. I would say start with a knitted blanket with holes and as you get more comfortable with it you can use whichever blanket you like. Good luck!

Aubrey - posted on 04/19/2010

I have been swaddling my baby since she was born, now at 3 months old, she doesn't want to be swaddled at all anymore. I still put a blanket on her at nap time as well as bedtime too. I just make sure the blanket is no further than her tummy and i tuck the blanket under her. It seems to work well and baby isn't cold :) I hope this helps a little bit :) Good luck

Shannon - posted on 04/19/2010

my little man has always had a blanket...... I know your not sopose to but... He was always snuggleing it and holding it no matter what he was doing. He is 8 months now. WHen he was little I just gave him little thin blanket to be sure he wouldn't smother himself now he picks his favorite.....

Sam - posted on 04/19/2010

My first son I used blankets from the day he was born but he would kick them off and then not sleep. So with my next 2 I used baby sleeping bags and they slept really well.. Now they are all over a year they all have duvets.

Alison - posted on 04/19/2010

i swaddled my baby until she was 5 months, at which point she was wriggling her way out of the blankets and getting caught up in them. I've switched to a sleeping bag (one for winter, one for summer). now i don't have to worry she will kick off her blankets and get cold, or worse, suffocate. Sleeping bags are the safest things for babies in my opinion.

Samantha - posted on 04/19/2010

my daughter used a blanket from day one and a pillow... no probs with any of it

Kathy - posted on 04/18/2010

I've been known to put the blanket sideways myself, but my 6 month old somehow now gets it out, she uses her feet and we find her in all kinds of different spots by morning. Only once have we found it on her face, she had left it tucked in and turned 180 degrees under the blanket. Otherwise its just the blanket in the playpen that she likes to put on her head... silly girl

Bronwyn - posted on 04/18/2010

My only guess for not using a blanket is for SIDS risk. SIDS is a risk with young children up to the age of 2. However, SIDS Australia recommends using blankets and sheets or sleeping bags providing they are will tucked in.

I swaddled my daughter since day 1 in hospital, and came home doing it the way they did iti n there - flanelette swaddle and a cellular blanket doubled over. As she grew and it got warmer, the swaddling changed to muslin wraps, and the blanket has been variations of cellular cotton, flanellete, and polar fleece - nothing padded though. In the last month we have moved to a 1.0tog sleeping bag, and on cooler night I still put a rug over her.

With her rugs, I don't tuck them into the cot regularly, but rather tuck it in under her chest, bottom and legs - makes it a lot easier to get a sleeping baby into bed without waking them up. I went through a stage on in-laws advice of using a sheet and blanket, and found the best way to stop it coming untucked was to use it the opposite way (width ways not length ways) so that there was plenty to tuck in and she could roll around without ever getting the edges out. Her feet are always touching the bottom of the cot, and her rugs never go above her arms.

All that said, it is a decision only you can make based on the information you have been given.
Good luck

Lindy - posted on 04/18/2010

My son is also 10 months old, he wont sleep unless a blanket is over his face. He has slept with knit/crochetted blankets since birth. I keep the polyester for other things cause it is less breathable and makes him sweat:) I think as long as she can breathe through it, go for it!

Suzy - posted on 04/18/2010

my daughter is nearly 1 and ive just started using a blanket now its gettin warmer least she can kick it off if shes too hot, but wouldnt use one beforehand untill i knew that she was capable of takin it off her her if it covers her and the way i tried that was while she was awake i used to chuck a blanket over her head and see weather she struggled to get it off or not least i was there to supervise her if she did have any problems.

Shamera - posted on 04/18/2010

I've never heard of NOT giving your baby a blanket, my 11 month old daughter has had one since the day she was born. Her pediatrician specified not to place her in her crib/bassinet with heavy blankets, comforters (bumpers are a bad idea too), toys, or large stuffed animals. Living in Alaska, it is kind of insane to not cover your baby while they sleep, even during the summer months. My daughter hated to be swaddled since the day she was born and loved to be able to stretch so until she could roll over (at four months for her) I would tuck a light receiving blanket around her. After that, I would just drape it over her. As she got older I upgraded the blankets in thickness (also because winter). Crocheted and knitted blankets are also a good bet, both very warm and both allow the baby to breath.

Emma - posted on 04/18/2010

You will always find a baby sleeps better with blankets as apart from hunger, being cold is one of the biggest reasons babies wake at night. The important thing is to put cotton cellular blankets instead of heavy woollen or acryllic ones as the cotton ones allow the baby to breathe. I have 2 kids and have always used this advice http://www.saveoursleep.com. After swaddling, I moved both mine into sleeping bags as they would kick the blankets off but when it was really cold I would still put a cotton cellular blanket ontop of the bag. TBH my son insisted on using a crocheted blanket as a comforter and still sleeps with it now (age 20 months) - sucking on it and cuddling it up to his face. Obviously I would not encourage this particular thing but babies will usually find their own way and as long as you are sensible about not overheating her you and your daughter together will find the best way to make her most comfortable for sleeping.

Sarah - posted on 04/18/2010

My son is a little over 4 months old and recently started sleeping all night on his own in his crib, and I've been putting this super thin blanket over him. I fold it over so its not big and put it over the bottom half of his body. He also sleeps on his stomach (only way he'll stay sleeping) so he doesn't really grab it and put it to his mouth. I think it comes down to what your the most comfortable with. I'd try putting your daughter down for her daytime naps with a blanket and see what happens. Good luck either way.

Crystal - posted on 04/17/2010

my daughter has slept with a blanket since she was born. Most of the time she sleeps in the bed with me and is covered with my comforter.. You are not supposed to give them a really heavy blanket when they are younger. But always give them some kind of blanket, you wouldn't want to be cold all night!

Holly - posted on 04/17/2010

my baby has had a blanket since birth and he is fine

Kathy - posted on 04/17/2010

You can also tie the corners to the bars of the crib if the blanket is big enough.... I live in Canada and my house is drafty.... you learn tricks to keep them warm & safe

Amie - posted on 04/17/2010

we use a sleep sack (for when the blankets get kicked off) and he's always had a blanket as well. We just tuck it in firmly so he can't pull it over his head but sometimes he still wriggles out of it. He wont sleep if he's cold

Lisa - posted on 04/17/2010

My girls are both wild sleepers and will throw blankets off. I've offered a blanket to them since they were born, but only recently the eldest - almost 2 - is asking for a blanket every night (even though she's kicked it off by morning). She's using baby blankets, the fleece kind. Try receiving blankets or thin baby blankets at first, and if they're too big, fold them in half so the baby doesn't get caught up in them. You can use a safety pin to keep it folded, or temporarily stitch the sides together, if you're more comfortable with that. I would rather it be there if they need it, then to take it away, just as long as it's not too heavy and isn't going to overheat them while they sleep. I live in southern california btw, so we're in a warm climate to begin with. Also, this is only for bedtime. We don't usually offer the blankets for nap time.

Amber - posted on 04/17/2010

At the age of 1 your child is no longer at risks for SIDS therefore it is safe to use a blanket. My daughter has always used a blanket, for awhile I pinned it down till she got older now she likes to sleep with it in her face. She's just recently turned one and she can't sleep without a blanket.

Brittany - posted on 04/17/2010

my son who is now 8 1/2 months has used a blanket since he was born. he is just like me and cant go to sleep easily without a soft blanket to hold on to.

Andrea - posted on 04/17/2010

my daughter went into her own cot at 6 wks of age...she had a blanket sheet and quilt set on her bed and was wrapped up in her own swaddle blanket...so i guess its up to the individual parenting skills to determine whether or not a blanket for your child is safe.

Mhairi - posted on 04/17/2010

I'd use a baby sleeping bag
http://www.bambinipronto.com.au/category...
they'll keep bub warm, but can't cover their heads so they're much safer, they come in different thicknesses too so you can put one onto suit the weather conditions.
(FYI, I'm not pushing this brand, it was just the first site I came to which gave me a picture to use as an example.)

Tracy - posted on 04/16/2010

My daughter hated to be swaddled and has always been a super squirmy baby. She also hates wearing socks so I always put her in footie pajamas at night to keep her body heat in and if it was a colder night I would just put a onzie on under her pajamas for extra warmth. Around 8 months I started letting her sleep with a lovey (mini blanket with an animal face) she has now fallen in love with it and around 12 months I started to put a small blanket on her at night to sleep but she usually just kicks it off.

Brianna - posted on 04/16/2010

....ive never heard of not giving ur baby a blanket. my daughter is 5 months and has always had a blanket not a thick one of course. i no that i would be cold without sleeping with a blanket but i guess if u live somewhere hot u might not need one but i live in canada.

Kathy - posted on 04/16/2010

We've used blankets with our daughter since day one.... they told us not to use thick fluffy blankets or comforters, but said we can use a blanket, we swaddled her with one and used a knit blanket when she was little and still in the bassinet, but now she uses a little thicker one, but nothing that would smother her, or anything. We live in a colder climate and she was born in September, I'm sorry but those sleep sacks just don't keep her warm enough in our house.

Jemma - posted on 04/16/2010

same as me i have used blanket with my daughter since the day she was born. in fact as she was born in sept and we live in V cold climate in the winter it was normal for her to have 3 or 4 blankets on her. she has always had one and now she is 18mth and sleeps with a duvet and security blanket and i have never had any problems with her. in fact winter time as she was older i used a sleeping bag to keep her warmer but she didnt like the fact she cudnt kick out her legs so we just gave up on it.
hope u find some helpful hints and just remember whats right for one isnt always right for another. you do what you feel is right for you hun. good luck xx

Jessica - posted on 04/16/2010

I use the sleep sacks with my son (7.5 months). He tosses and turns so much during his sleep, that I would worry he would get tangled up in a blanket. I'll probably try a light blanket after he is a year old.

Komal - posted on 04/16/2010

my daughter is almost 2 months now..shes been converd wid blanket since da day she is born.. but just make sure da blanket is not too close to her face .. i dun thiknk dere is any harm in puttin blanket on to da baby.. c

Rachel - posted on 04/16/2010

My son is 2 1/2 months and he's pretty much always had a blanket. He stoped liking to be swaddled after only 2 weeks so we just tuck it under the crib mattress so it stays in place and also only cover him up to his chest, just in case. He's so wiggly that he's a lot more likely to get a blanket from a swaddle over his face because he hates his arms being restricted.

Lindsey - posted on 04/16/2010

my lill girl has used a few blankets since she was born as she was winter baby id swaddle her in her swall then id put two circuler blankets on top i still do this but dont swaddle her too much now as she 6months n is a fidget bum at night so havein the extra blankets keeps her warm as at least one will stay on her ...

Brenda - posted on 04/16/2010

My daughter will be 7 months next week and she's always had a blanket. The first few months she was swaddled, then when she got too big we just tucked it under the edge of the mattress and now it helps keep her in place so she doesn't flip over (sometimes). She also loves to have a baby afghan (to poke her fingers through the holes) and pull over her head when I lay her down, but she doesn't keep it on her face and I check on her to make sure.

Alena - posted on 04/16/2010

i just use a reciving blanket for both my kids i just tuck it under them my son is 3 and my daughter is 4 months old.