How to Know when a Baby Can Sleep with a Blanket
Summary: Blankets used in a baby’s crib pose life-threatening risks including the onset of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), suffocation and strangulation. Find out how to know when your baby is ready to sleep with a blanket.

Blankets used in a baby’s crib pose life-threatening risks including the onset of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), suffocation and strangulation. Sudden Infant Death Syndrome is the name given when a baby under one year of age suddenly dies without any explanation. SIDS occurs most frequently while a baby is in their own crib. A medical examination does not turn up a cause for the baby’s death, which often leaves parents blaming themselves or others around them. There are precautions you can take to aid in the prevention of SIDS, suffocation, and other threats your little one will face. Learn how to know when a baby can sleep with a blanket, the best way to dress an infant for sleep, the best temperature for a baby’s room, and other tips you can use to safeguard your baby from these serious threats.

Find out what proactive steps you can take before your baby is born.
Potential parents face several risk factors that may contribute to an incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome once their child is born. Good medical health care, starting within the first three months of pregnancy, and proper nutrition can help guard against SIDS by reducing the risk of a premature birth. Premature birth is a major risk factor of SIDS. Tobacco, cocaine, and heroin use in pregnancy increases the baby’s risk for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. The age of a mother can also affect an infant’s risk of SIDS; a teenage mother poses the highest risk. The length of time between pregnancies can play a part as well; short intervals between the births of children increase the risk for SIDS. An optimum period of time between births is one year or longer.

New parents can use preventive measures to decrease the risk of SIDS.
Fortunately, there are many things that you can do to protect your child’s life. Here is a list of 20 things you can do to reduce the risk of SIDS, suffocation, and strangulation:

1. Always place your child on her back to sleep, even though she may find lying on her stomach more comfortable. A baby that sleeps on her stomach or side is more likely to die from SIDS.

2. Use a firm mattress to help prevent her from suffocating. A baby can sink slightly into a soft mattress and have difficulty breathing. She could also get stuck in small gaps between a mattress and the crib rails; make sure that the mattress fits snugly against the rails of her crib.

3. Do not place a pillow in your child’s crib. Not only does she not need a pillow, the pillow could suffocate her if she turns over.

4. Do not store any stuffed animals, dolls, or other toys in your child’s crib. These items will increase her risk for SIDS and suffocation. Her nose may get pressed against one if she moves or rolls over.

5. Do not use a bumper pad in her crib for the same reason. Yes, a bumper pad looks cute and matches her bedding, but it is not worth the increased risk of SIDS. She may get her face pressed against the pad and have trouble breathing.

6. Do not use blankets or other heavy covers in your child’s crib. They are associated with SIDS, and could cause suffocation or strangulation when your child moves around. Wait until she is at least one year old before using a heavy blanket, so that she is able to move the blanket if necessary.

7. Use tight-fitting sheets on her mattress. Loose sheets, covers, and blankets are associated with SIDS, and may cause suffocation or strangulation if they become twisted around you child.

8. Make sure that the slats and bars of your baby’s crib are 2 3/8 inch apart or less, so that she doesn’t get her head, arms, or legs stuck between them.

9. Before using a crib (especially a used crib), check with the manufacturer to find out about any safety issues regarding the crib. Cribs are sometimes recalled for faulty parts, paint that contains lead, or other safety hazards.

10. Remove mobiles and hanging toys in your baby’s crib as soon as she can get up on her hands and knees, or around five months. She could get caught in the mobile or toy causing strangulation. Hanging decorations and toys are associated with SIDS.

11. Place a crib away from windows, heaters, and other safety hazards. Similarly, strings hanging down from window blinds pose a serious threat of strangulation.

12. Keep your baby’s crib in your bedroom until she is about six months old. Babies that sleep in their parent’s room (not bed though) have a decreased risk of SIDS. A parent who is close by can intercept any problems before they get serious.

13. Do not sleep with your baby. Babies that sleep in their parents’ bed are exposed to life-threatening risks of suffocation, strangulation, and SIDS. She could get trapped under blankets or twisted up in blankets. Unfortunately, parents have rolled over their baby that was sleeping in the same bed. Always place your baby to sleep on her back in her crib.

14. Do not fall asleep in a chair or on the couch while holding your baby. She could roll or squirm out of your hold. There is also a chance that you could let go of her in your sleep.

15. Do not layer too many clothes on your child when she sleeps. An over-heated baby is at risk for SIDS. Dress her in just enough clothes to keep her warm without covers. Check on her while she sleeps. If she is sweaty on her neck or ears, then decrease her layers of clothing.

16. Keep your baby’s room at a comfortable temperature – around 65 degrees is optimal for her health.

17. Do not allow people to smoke in your home or car. Avoid exposure to smoke as much as possible. Smoke increases the risk of SIDS.

18. Provide a pacifier to your baby. Babies that suck on a pacifier have decreases risks of SIDS.

19. Avoid crowds and people with respiratory problems, such as colds and coughs. Clean anything that comes in contact with your little. Have people wash their hands before holding your child. Contact with someone who has a cold, vomits, or has diarrhea is associated with an increased risk of SIDS.

20. If your baby stops breathing for small periods of time, contact your health care provider immediately.

Make sure that everyone who watches your baby knows the above information. Discuss each point with them, so that they understand the importance of preventing risks associated with SIDS.