Most health care professionals recommend that loose bedding and soft objects, including loveys, stuffed animals, etc., are not included in the sleeping area until the baby is at least one year of age. This recommendation is primarily based on SIDS risk factors (sudden infant death syndrome) but is also designed to help lessen the risk of choking and other hazards. And though it is recommended that no soft items are in the crib for at least one year, many parents wait longer to ensure added safety for their child.

Once parents and the child’s pediatrician determine that the child is old enough for a blanket, it is also essential to consider the blanket’s thickness, fabric type, edging, and overall size. Larger blankets can become strangulation and suffocation hazards. Thicker, quilted blankets are better served for floor-time or when the child is cuddling with a supervising adult. In contrast, muslin blankets are often the better choice for younger children due to muslin’s breathable fabric.

Weighted blankets, which create a swaddling effect, should be reserved for older children who sleep in a youth-sized bed, not a crib or toddler bed. When a child is older, even blankets with long strings or ribbons along the edge aren’t best for sleepy time as these edges can come loose and become a choking hazard. Ribbon-edged blankets are excellent choices for preschool children or older children at bedtime, but only when they are in new condition and free from frays or ripped edges.

Though it might seem counter-intuitive based on the guidance we have provided, babies do need blankets – lots of them. There are six blankets that every baby needs, including swaddling, receiving, crib, floor time, security, and stroller blankets.

Each of these blankets serves an essential purpose, and though there are risks to having blankets in a young child’s crib, it shouldn’t be cause to avoid the use of blankets altogether. Blankets, especially personalized blankets, are a warm and comforting necessity for babies.

If you are a parent wondering how to keep your baby warm at night in their bed without using a blanket, don’t fret, as there are plenty of easy solutions. Start by dressing your baby in easy to remove layers, using a firm mattress, covering your baby’s head and hands, and keeping the wind off the baby.

And though you may wish to swaddle your baby during the day when you are nearby, at night, it is best to consider a swaddling alternative such as a swaddle wrap with a Velcro or zipper closure. Pay close attention to the room temperature, and be sure to seek guidance from your pediatrician on guidelines to keep your baby safe at night.