Sleeping with Blankets

My kids always had blankets. Since the moment they were born. Receiving blankets everywhere, and they just all 3 grew attached to one. My daughter in-law even took hers on the honeymoon. Okay that's like taking it a LITTLE too far, but my oldest is in his mid 20's, and he's been known to watch a movie and have the satin border to what once was a Sesame Street receiving blanket in his hands and rubbing the entire length of it in his fingers.
If the baby's asleep, it doesn't even know there's a blankie on its body.
SIDS is not the result of having a blanket.

I have always given my children blankets to sleep with, probably because I can't imagine not having one when I sleep. My 18 month old actually sleeps with a burp cloth over his face...I remove it, he puts it back...go figure! I see that your babies are 14 months...are they who you are referring to? If so they are well past the SIDS risk age and adding blankets is safe.

I know the 'experts' say no blankets or pillows in the crib at first, but I have my doubts on the actuality of it reducing SIDS. I have read studies on mattress chemicals being the contributor, and that in countries that have adopted the standard of wrapping crib mattresses have eliminated SIDS completely. Of course, this was our choice and it may not be another families...but we figured it couldn't hurt, and might actually help!

Sorry...off topic! LOL

~L.

Wow...I never even knew that blankets were bad for kids. Of course my son is almost 17 now...but he always had a blanket when he was little.

both my daughters had blankets in their crib right from birth.

Hi C., They are ready for wobbies (blanket) they say after around 8-9 months they able to pull it off. I have a 18 month old daughter she has had one since birth.

I have twin boys that are 7 months old!! We have had blankets on our boys since they were born. They use the thin blankets that have silk on one side and soft on the other. The boys actually pull them over their face, it helps them fall asleep. I know the rules say NO, but heck with the rules! My boys are just fine and they can pull them on and off of their faces.

My son has had his since birth. He loved to be swaddled and once that was over with I would cuddle his blankie up with him. Now he is 13 months and can't sleep without his "nigh night" as he calls it! Your babies are 14 months old, they will be able to move the blanket off and if they have their face in it, be able to move their head. I wouldn't worry at all!

-Hi C.

I can understand your concern about sids. Lots of times it is a security for the child to have a special blanket with them no matter where they go.

The best advice is put it in the Lord's hands. When it is their time to go no matter what they are doing it will happen. Maybe this isn't any help at all, but it comes from the heart. I have children, grandchildren and great grand children.

P. W.

I let my son use a blanket at about 7 or 8 months and he is 12 months now. He loves his blanket and will not sleep without it.

I let my daughter start at around 8 months. She would not sleep unless she had something to cuddle with.

one year old. However, my son didn't really use one until he was about 3. I put cotton pjs on my 7mos old and she is fine during the summer w/ the air on. They don't really need a blanket-- although it is safe to give them one.

Hi C.---My three kids all had blankets from day one and we never had a problem. My kids are 24, 21 and 17. They all slept on their stomachs as well. Please try not to be too fearful of things that we may not have any control over. Maybe if you get them a lightweight blanket, you'll reduce the risk of a potential problem. My kids all loved a big, wide satin binding

Good luck and try not to worry about it. In health, D.

Hi C.!
That is so neat that you have twins. I'm 32 weeks pregnant with twins (girl/boy). I also have two boys, 3 and 5 yrs. With my first son I didn't give him a blanket till he was a year old. But with my second, he didnt sleep well without one and I needed my sleep so he had a blanket right home form the hospital. I think it is fine as long as you are smart about it. Don't give them one to big and heavy. Your twins seem old enough to have a blanket.

Hello, my son now 9 months has had one since birth although about 5-6 months he was swaddled but he has to cuddle with his blankie, and he is able to pull it off his face and ussually he kicks it off at night anyways! Just use your best judgement and how you feel! Good luck, I worried about the same thing but he is doing fine.
B.

I guess I am the wrong mom to ask because my little girl has had a blanket pretty much from day one. She also has always been a tummy sleeper so I didn't have the same issue with the possibility of her kicking it up to her face. Personally, I would say at 14 months, your kids would do just fine with using blankets.

I started once it got cold with mine, when he was about 14 months. BUT, if you are worried they have these AWESOME new blankets by the people who make breatheable bumpers that are fleecy and warm but totally breatheable and can't suffocate. www.onestepahead.com has them if you search for breatheable. That is great for piece of mind until your little ones are older!

both my kids slept with blankets from birth... my daughter was in my king sized bed right next to me covered in blankets the first day she was home.. I put her in the crib at 6 monht and she had a blanket.

the risk of SIDs is really not that great.. and it is over by the time the kids are 6 months..

by the way... I gave my daughter a pillow right around her first birhtday.. she didnt sleep with it at first but now at 2 she always sleeps with her head on the pillow..

give your kids blankets and pillows.. they are old enough.

I started my son with a small thin receiving blanket at about 13 months and as I got more comfortable with it gave him a more size appropriate blanket that cam with his crib set. I still chect and make sure its not near his face or wrapped around him. But at this age he's almost stronger then me and should be fine.

SIDS is a very scary subject. My son has slept with blankets since he came home from the hospital and also uses bumpers now for his crib. This probably isn't the best advice for everyone, but as long as you or someone else who is responsible enough to check on the twins now and again, I'm sure they will be fine. Just make sure that when they are covered that the blankets aren't near their faces or where they may grab and pull them up. Also use very light blankets. Hope this is helpful.

Hi C., It's summer and warm out, you have to do what you are comfortable with. According to doctors, they are old enough. If you are too nervous about it and won't sleep yourself, then don't do it. Are they asking for them, why give them one if they are happy? You might start with a crocheted blanket with lots of holes in it, that might make you more comfortable. If they get it on their faces, then they can still get air through the holes, make sure it doesn't have long ribbons or loose strings.

Mine started being swaddled early and when the last one outgrew the receiving blankets (very early) he had a crocheted blanket that I could swaddle him in because it was stretchier. He still has it. at 14 months and has his comforter on cold nights. But you need to follow your instinct, especially if you have a family history of SIDS.

C.,

I work with infants and toddlers in a daycare center. If you read on SIDS, it is said it happens between 3-12 months. Plus, there are other factor that contribute to SIDS not just blankets. At the center after 1 yr old, they are allowed a blanket. My son just turned one and he has had an animal in his crib, since Feb.

It is completely up to you. They will be fine. The choice is yours. my son uses his blanket to put himself to sleep. Best of luck.

My son is almost 9 months old and has been sleeping with a blanket since day 1. Well really it's just a small blankie a friend of our made him. He usally sleeps with it over his face. I of course take it off, but he puts it right back on. Your twins our way over the SIDS age.

From the start, my boys were swaddled. When they grew out of that, I gave them a small receiving blanket to sleep with. Because this past winter was so cold, I allowed my baby to sleep with a knit blanket once he could sit up on his own. Now he won't go anywhere without it!

Mine used a sleep sack until they were about 15 months. Than I let them have a blanket. One of my kids preferred the sleep sack and kept using it.

I am with you - why risk SIDS. Summer is coming up and no blanket will be needed.

My boys (twins too) got their blankets at 12 months. I was following all the SIDS rules as well. I think "by the books" they are old enough at this age. At 22 months, they are now really attached to them. They love their "blankies".

Hi C. -

I just started using blankets with my boys (22mos triplets), because I was petrified of that too. (Plus one of their favorite games is to cover themselves up with blankets). I just used them at naps at first. But now they love them and lay right down so I can put it on. I still keep the door cracked so I can peek in and make sure they are okay.

Dana

From birth all of mine used a blanket.

Hey C.,

My twins are 16-months-old :).

My boys slept with blankets/loveys as soon as they could lift their heads by themselves and turn them. (I believe it was 4 or 6 months??? It's all so foggy now!) My pediatrician endorsed this, as well.

A couple of my girlfriends and I started a twin group...a.k.a. moms go out to dinner w/o kids! We meet once a month. Let me know if you'd be interested in stopping by one month.

I've put a blanket on my son since birth. He was born in September so it was warm enough w/o one, but he slept swaddled for the first couple months. After we were done swaddling, I just tucked a larger blanket around the sides of his crib to keep it in place.

I think my oldest was right around 1 year when I let her have a blanket. She was a November baby and I know that first winter I didn't give her any blankets. But by the second winter we discovered that if anything (including a hat with a chin tie) was put over her head/cheeks she would scream, sleep or awake. To this day, she'll pull her blankets to her chin, but no higher and she's 4 now. My youngest was a different story. She was born in April so she was probably 17/18 months before she reached that second winter and got blankets. By 2 1/2 both girls were in "big girl" beds.

It sometimes depends on the age but don't worry to much cause sometime they would have to use blankets. Your a good mom keep up the good work!!!!!!!!!!

I started laying a blanket on my daughter when she was about 8 months old I would say, she was quite able to get it off her if she wanted, which she often did, so I was not worried about her in the least

Don't quote me, but I am almost certain the concern for SIDS expires at age 12 months. I think that age is also dependant on their capabilities. I think as soon as they can crawl and pull themselves to stand it is ok. My son has used a blanket since 8 months. But he was crawling and standing early. That is my advice. I don't know if it is right.