Welcome to our article on a baby sleeping with a blanket at 6 months!
Keeping a toddler comfortable throughout the day is the most significant focus of new parents.
Parents are often unaware of the best practices to keep the baby warm and comfortable.
Infants are especially sensitive to temperature and can catch a cold easily. To protect their kids, parents often put warmers, blankets, and comforters in the crib.
But is it safe to do so?
The National Sleep Foundation says blankets, pillows, bumper pads, toys, and any other soft objects should stay out of the crib for toddlers less than 12 months of age.
Why no blankets or comforters?
Infants have a very delicate respiratory system.
Suffocation for a very little time may prove fatal for the toddler.
If any soft piece of clothing or toys happens to be near the child’s face, there is a risk of suffocation.
Sometimes, the weight of the blanket itself may be too much that it smothers the kid.
Nothing should be inside the crib when the infant is in it. SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) is also known as crib death.
It occurs most commonly during sleep, and typically there is no noise or struggle. It is unwise to add anything that may interfere with the infant’s sleep and breathing.
How to keep the child warm?
When you think about a baby sleeping with a blanket at 6 months, there are a lot of things to consider. Some are downright untrue.
It is a misconception that without blankets and comforters, a child won’t get enough sleep. The infant’s clothes should be warm enough to prevent him from getting too cold.
There is little problem in adding another layer of clothing if you feel that there isn’t enough heat. The room’s temperature can be conditioned to a comfortable 70-72 F.
Kids’ clothes should be warm yet be made of soft fabrics that breathe. Socks, pajamas, and sleep sacks are sensible choices.
New parents must know if the kid is feeling too cold or too hot. Checking the baby’s chest temperature is a way to gauge what he is feeling.
What else to know?
It is not just the crib you need to be wary about. If you’re on the sofa with the kid resting on your lap, make sure nothing is covering the infant’s face.
There have been multiple reports where kids have pulled blankets over their faces and have suffocated.
The ABCs for infants’ sleep is:
- Alone: The baby must sleep alone
- Back: Make the baby sleep on his/her back
- Crib: Use an approved crib. Even if it is for a small nap after feeding, use the crib.
The cribs must be safety-approved and the mattress firm enough to not block the child’s breathing even if he/she rolls on his tummy.
Blankets and other tips
While blankets are a big NO for six-month-old infants, you may start using them after the child’s first birthday.
Also, before your child reaches his/her first birthday, it is advisable to have the child sleep in the caretaker’s room.
You may also remove crib bumpers when your toddler reaches one year of age. This is typically the time when infants are able to climb.
For best sleep, it is also recommended that the amount of light in the room shouldn’t be too bright. Kids should have a consistent bedtime schedule for ideal sleep.
Toddlers can be given an object that serves provides a sense of security. Kids sleep better with their favorite toys around them.
Final Words
When it’s time to use the blanket for your baby, you should sit down and think about it. There are some things that should be present before using the blanket. If they are not, then maybe you shouldn’t use them.
Your baby should be able to pull it off when you put it over them. This will keep your baby comfortable. And most importantly, safe. And you can have peace of mind in their safety.
Then…the cover shouldn’t be too thick. This can stiffen their breath. And that can lead to constipation.
So, you should consider getting a blanket that’s appropriate for your baby’s age. And this should be done after you’ve confirmed that they’re capable of tugging it over their head when the need arises.
If you’re going to be using this item, you should ensure your baby is close to you. If you have a special room for your baby, a nursery, you probably should have a baby monitor in there.
All these are to ensure you can respond to your baby’s emergency as quickly as possible. This is not limited to babies sleeping in blankets though.
It’s just a good practice to put all these things in place in and around the home so your little one can enjoy maximum safety and comfort.