If you’re worried that your baby is too chilly, footie pajamas are a safer alternative to a blanket. In fact, a blanket can actually cause a baby to overheat, increasing their risk of SIDS. If you dress them in one more layer of clothing than you would feel comfortable wearing in their room, your kid should be set. However, blankets pose the greatest risk to babies between the ages of 5 and 11 months because they have the motor skills to wiggle and move around in their crib, but not necessarily enough to untangle themselves if the blanket were suffocating them.įortunately, your baby doesn’t need a blanket. Some pediatricians give the okay at 6 months of age. Per the AAP, you should wait until a child is at least 1 year old. So when can babies use blankets, and when can a baby sleep with stuffed animals? When Can Babies Use Blankets? ![]() ![]() But many experts find this recommendation to be too cautious. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends keeping stuffed animals, blankets, and any other soft objects away from where a baby sleeps until they are 12 months old these objects can lead to sudden infants death syndrome (SIDS), suffocation, and strangulation. This is going to be the blanket they sleep with, bring in the car with them, insist on taking to overnight stays at relatives’ homes, and carry around the house-so it needs to be cozy.A baby’s stuffed animal is their best friend, but it’s also a suffocation risk. The fabric should be soft and stay soft through washes, it should keep a child warm without overheating them, and it should be sized big enough to cover a toddler or preschooler but not so much that it overwhelms them (remember, babies should not sleep with blankets until they are at least 1 year old). Consider the material the blanket is made from and also take a close look at the stitching to see if it seems strong or like it will unravel within a year.Ībove all else, the blanket needs to be comfortable. With that in mind, a baby blanket needs to be durable enough to survive without unreasonable tearing, fading, or pilling. Between spit-up, accidents, mud, dust, milk, and whatever else a kid can manage to spill on their blanket, it will go through the washer and dryer pretty regularly over the years. Kids will put their well-loved baby blanket through a lot, which means it needs to be able to withstand all of the wear and tear that comes along with childhood. The only downside is that it’s not a very breathable fabric, so a baby or kid that runs hot may not like it very much. A lot of kids’ stuffed animals are also made from this material. Minky: Plush, soft, cozy, and usually has a bumpy texture when it’s used in blankets.Bamboo is becoming a more and more popular fabric because it feels so soft and is machine-washable and eco-friendly. Bamboo: Great for sensitive skin, soft to the touch, somewhat stretchy, and breathable.It tends to wash well without issue and is a good option all year long. A lot of adult loungewear clothing is made from jersey knit (so you know it’s cozy). Jersey knit: Super airy and lightweight with a bit of stretch and a smooth, soft feel. ![]() This is an especially good fabric for colder months or climates, and it’s not necessarily too heavy for warmer months, either it's just less breathable than other options. Fleece is ideal for a stroller blanket. ![]() Fleece: Very soft and warm with a slightly nubby texture.Cotton can usually be machine-washed and dried without a problem and makes for a great everyday baby blanket. Cotton/organic cotton: Soft, airy, durable, and usually safe for a baby’s sensitive skin.Wool often has special washing and/or drying instructions. Wool: Some blankets have a wool filling which makes them very warm and a good option for colder months or climates.Muslin washes well and doesn’t shrink in the dryer. Muslin: Light, breathable, and stretchy, and an excellent choice for swaddle blankets.If it’s a well-loved blanket, you will need to clean it regularly.Ĭommon materials for baby blankets include: When considering different materials, consider washability. Also, some blankets have multiple materials for a varied experience. What to Look for in Baby Blankets Materialsīaby blankets come in all different types of materials, and what works best for one baby may not for another-whether due to sensory preferences or climate.
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