The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests keeping all types of soft bedding—that is, blankets, pillows, bumper pads, and stuffed animals—out of the crib until at least 12 months of age. You should use your baby's gestational age, not their birth age, as a determinant.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is beyond clear: Babies under a year old should sleep in their own crib or bassinet with no blankets—or pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals, or other soft objects.
The AAP recommends swaddling younger babies, as this can both keep them warm and help them sleep. Swaddling gives your baby a cozy, secure feeling and may remind them of being in the womb. However, it's important that if you swaddle, you do so safely. The swaddle should not be too tight, especially around the hips.
Sleeping with a loose blanket is unsafe for babies during the first year of life, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Sleeping with a loose blanket or other soft objects, such as sheets, quilts, or soft toys, increases a baby's risk of experiencing injury or death.
Bedding such as thick blankets, quilts, and pillows can block an infant's airway, leading to unintentional sleep-related suffocation.
If using a blanket, it is best to use natural materials such as cotton as they are more breathable and will allow baby to lose heat as and when they need to cool down. A cellular cotton blanket is an ideal choice.
Pay close attention to signs of overheating.
Check your baby's core (back or chest) to make sure they are not at all sweaty. Also watch for their face becoming red, and for rapid breathing.
A Useful Strategy…But Not For Long
Swaddling can be very helpful in the first days and weeks of life. However, it should be discontinued once the baby is actively trying to flip from back to front, which can happen as early as 6-8 weeks of age. “Actually, the goal should be to swaddle as little as possible,” says Dr.
Do I have to swaddle my newborn to sleep? You don't have to swaddle your newborn at night but it absolutely helps. I've worked with lots of parents who say their newborn doesn't like the swaddle. That may be true but I would keep trying while changing another variable when you try to swaddle, such as the time of day.
DON'T use loose blankets.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) could not be more clear: For your baby's first year, do not place any loose blankets in your little one's sleep space! That means no blanket over your baby, no blanket under your baby, and no blanket draped over your baby's crib or bassinet.
You may be tempted to offer your baby a soft, warm blanket to help comfort them at night. However, blankets are not recommended until your baby reaches at least 12 months old because they can increase the risk of accidental suffocation.
“With all the contradictory information regarding what a baby should wear to sleep, remember that less is more. Aim for lightweight clothing such as a onesie and a sleep sack to help the baby feel secure and cozy without over-bundling.” According to experts, wearable blankets or sleep sacks can be safe and effective.
Bedding and Clothing Without Swaddle
Weather dependent, your baby might be warm enough in a babygrow, or in colder weather, in an approved bodysuit and sleep bag. If necessary, a single cellular blanket is the best option for an extra layer. This soft cotton blanket has lots of breathable holes.
Instead of adding blankets, add a layer of clothing. For example, you may want to consider whether your baby may benefit from a wearing vest under his or her baby-grow or pajamas. You may prefer to put your baby in a baby-grow/onesie with feet when it is cold, but without at warmer times of the year.
To lower the risk for sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that parents and caregivers not overbundle, overdress, or cover an infant's face or head. This is to prevent your baby from getting overheated.
Dress your baby in light sleep clothes.
But once he can roll over, stop swaddling. A swaddled baby who is placed on or rolls onto his tummy while sleeping may be more likely to experience SIDS. Swaddling is when you snugly wrap a light blanket around your baby so that it covers most of his body below the neck.
Swaddling (wrapping the baby in a light blanket) can also help to soothe a crying baby. If you swaddle your baby and they start trying to roll over, that is a sign that you can stop swaddling. For the first months of your baby's life, "spoiling" is definitely not a problem.
First is the developmental window of vulnerability. SIDS is most common at 2-4 months of age when the cardiorespiratory system of all infants is in rapid transition and therefore unstable.
Another big difference is that babies and young children don't sweat as much as adults, which reduces their ability to cool down. Babies are prone to developing heat rash or prickly heat because their sweat glands are not fully developed.
Your baby can't put into words how they feel, so it's up to you as a parent to find the right room temperature for them. You don't want your baby's room to be either too hot or too cold. It's recommended that the best temperature for babies is between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.
A good rule of thumb is to give your baby one extra layer of clothing than what you're wearing (American Academy of Pediatrics, 2016).
The general rule of thumb is to make sure baby wears one additional layer than what you're comfortable wearing—if you're feeling chilly, your baby probably is too.
If using a blanket, put your baby with his/her feet at the foot of the crib. Tuck a thin blanket around the crib mattress, only as far as the baby's chest. Make sure your baby's head remains uncovered during sleep.