From the Guidelines
Normal blankets and comforters can be safely introduced to a child at around 12 months of age. Before this age, loose bedding poses a significant suffocation risk to infants who lack the motor skills to move blankets away from their face if breathing becomes obstructed 1. For sleep safety during the first year of life, parents should use only a fitted sheet on the crib mattress and dress the baby in appropriate sleepwear like sleep sacks or wearable blankets instead of loose covers. This is because soft objects, such as pillows and pillow-like toys, quilts, comforters, sheepskins, and loose bedding, can obstruct an infant’s nose and mouth, posing a risk of suffocation, entrapment, or SIDS 1.
After 12 months, when children have developed better motor control and can move more deliberately, regular blankets can be introduced gradually. Even then, it's advisable to start with lightweight, breathable blankets rather than heavy comforters. This recommendation aligns with reducing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and other sleep-related infant deaths. When introducing blankets, ensure they're tucked in securely around the mattress and only reach up to the child's chest level to prevent them from sliding up over the face during sleep. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib, covered by a fitted sheet with no other bedding or soft objects to reduce the risk of SIDS and suffocation 1.
Some key points to consider when introducing blankets to a child's sleep environment include:
- Using a firm sleep surface, such as a mattress in a safety-approved crib
- Covering the mattress with a fitted sheet and avoiding loose bedding
- Dressing the baby in appropriate sleepwear, such as sleep sacks or wearable blankets
- Introducing blankets gradually after 12 months of age, starting with lightweight, breathable blankets
- Ensuring blankets are tucked in securely around the mattress and only reach up to the child's chest level.
From the Research
Introduction to Blanket Usage for Children
There is limited research on the specific guidelines for introducing normal blankets and comforters to children. However, studies have explored the use of weighted blankets as a sleep intervention for children with various conditions.
Weighted Blankets as a Sleep Intervention
- Weighted blankets have been studied as a potential sleep intervention for children with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) 2, autism spectrum disorder (ASD) 3, and a history of maltreatment 4.
- The efficacy of weighted blankets for sleep in children with ADHD has been shown to have a significant effect on total sleep time, sleep efficiency, and wake after sleep onset 2.
- However, the use of weighted blankets did not improve sleep outcomes in children with ASD 3 or a history of maltreatment 4.
Age and Blanket Introduction
- There is no specific research on the introduction of normal blankets and comforters to children at a certain age.
- However, studies on weighted blankets have included children aged 5-16 years 3, 6-15 years 5, 4, and 6-14 years 2.
- One study found that weighted blankets may be especially beneficial for improving total sleep time in children aged 11-14 years 2.
Guidelines for Blanket Usage
- There are no official guidelines for the introduction of normal blankets and comforters to children.
- The use of weighted blankets is typically led by occupational therapists, with knowledge of the intervention facilitating use 6.
- More research is needed to develop practice guidelines for the use of weighted blankets as a sleep intervention for children 6.