I have an 8 month old, who refuses pacifiers and won't be rocked to sleep. I would like ot put a blanket in his bed to help bring him comfort, but I don't know if that is wise. When is it okay to put a blanket in a babies bed?
A small "lovie" is fine. It is called a "transitional object". Go to comfortlovie.com they are great!
If he can sit up and stand on his own, I wouldn't worry about it. My daughter has had blankets since she's was six months.
I do not advise putting a blanket in the crib or anywhere your baby sleeps until he is old enough to move whatever is in there on his own accord whenever he wants to. My son was well over 1, around 18 months. A sleeping blanket will take care of the warmth issue. I always suggest that you stay away from loose blankets as well as pillows. And I agree with the keep rocking advise. Read read read and ask ask ask and you will find a solution that you are comfortable with and that works for your baby. Remember that everything is a stage and that once the issue has passed our little ones have taken one more step towards independence and one more step away from being our babies. It is trully bittersweet! good luck and remember to cherish every step because you will miss them all!
I use a knitted blanket in my daughters bed, that way if it was covering her face, she could still breath. She had some pretty ones she received as gifts. They do have ones that are heavier (warmer) then the light ones. They are the only ones i will put in her bed. She is so squirilly in her sleep!
Long before 8 months! In fact, I have never heard of not giving a baby a blanket (but I am an old timer - my kids were babies in the early 90's), only not giving them a pillow. The warning is about suffocation, which would pertain to an infant that could not easily lift it's head to a 90 degree angle. But if your child does not love his blankie, I am not sure it would provide much comfort. Do you think he is cold at night. I found a great little room heater with a thermostat on it at Walmart for abour $15. But they can be hard to find at different times of year. (might have better luck on the website) I use it in our baby girl's room because she does not keep her blankets on. She does wake up at night if it is cold. My oldest boy and I had a sweet bedtime routine of rocking, singing, and reading a story before bed. My second one found all this annoying, and just wanted to be layed down on a flat surface on his tummy, and left alone. So it may be you that needs the comfort, and not the baby. You could try doing your little bedtime routine (stories etc. outside the bedroom, then he can get jammies on and go right to sleep once in the room. With our girl, she just wants the routine of a kiss from everyone (including the dog), a dry diaper, a short prayer, and then to sleep. So don't feel like a bad parent if your child does not want to be rocked. Just find something else that helps you feel bonded.
I have to weigh in on the more conservative side here and argue against a blanket yet. The Sleep Sacks are great for keeping the little ones warm. It sounds like the bigger issue is what is happening at bedtime. Does he need comfort at night, or do you think he does since he isn't being rocked? Try a few different things and see what helps him settle best. Maybe a gentle cuddle (no rocking, just holding) settles him down enough to sleep. Baby massage, music, whatever. It may be time to start the routine that he will learn is the bedtime routine and will end up helping him learn to fall asleep independently.
How about one of those little silkies? they are the size of a bandana. 2 of my kids liked them. and my youngest now has larger versions, and is attatched!
I would recomend a crocheighed(spelling) blanket, you know the ones made out of yarn, I think they are also called afgans. You want a slightly looser knitted one that way if he pulls it up over his head he won't suffocate. I used one from birth to about 3 yrs old with my first son, and am currently using them for my second. I don't know where you can buy one though, my Mom makes them for me.
Is he crying himself to sleep? Lots of babies don't like rocking -- it can be too stimulating when they are tired. Pacifiers come in many shapes, but maybe you have tried them all? Has he found his thumb? Have you tried co-sleeping? A warm body next to him might help him sleep better. Best of luck!
The SIDS foundation recommends waiting until they are at least 18 months old. They recommend you put them in sleep sacks or footed (fleece its cold) jammies.
They sell "blanket stuffies". My daughter had one. It was a snow man's head with a small fleece blanket for the body. She loved it. And it small enough to bring comfort in her car seat, stroller, wherever. Try one. Children seem to really like satin, so maybe one with a satin trim. They like the way it feels.
my daughter has a small little giraffe blankie. she seems to like grabbing it before sleep (she also has a tiny lovey that she adopted early on.)
I found out that my daughter really liked the satiny edge of the blanket. I made small squares of flannel edged with satin binding because her large blankie became so stained and ragged that it was embarrassing when we went anyplace. I think you can even purchase something similar if you can't sew. That should alleviate your concern about large blankets and still give him something as a comfort item.
No blankets until around two, I think. What I did, was buy her a stuffed animal that has a head and arms and the whole bottom half is a small blanket.
M.,
As long as it's a thin one you shouldn't worry.
My son used blankets since he was 3 mos.
He usally just kicked it off..
Good luck.
Comfort Silkie makes great tiny blankets... maybe 12"x18" that have a satin edge and side and the other side is flannel. This has become my sons one love for bedtime. It's just not safe to give them a full blanket yet. But he loves his blankie and just curls up with it around his hand and chews on the corners. The great thing is that if this does become his "thing" as he gets older and he insists in taking it everywhere, it's really small and can tuck into a corner of your purse pretty easily.
I used a lightweight blanket with my babies. But if you are looking for a way to comfort him can I suggest a sound machine I bought an inexpensive one at Bed Bath and Beyond. Good Luck.
Hi M., Blankets are wa OK, just no pillows, and that fact that he won't take a pacifire, amen to that, one less think to become a habit, and as for the rocking, keep trying, rocking and singing my babies to sleep are some of my greatest memories of my now grown kids. J. L.
Hi M.,
I feel 8 months is too old to supply a blanket for comfort. If you really feel the sleeper is not enough, I would place a blanket within his reach just on the torso of the body and below for added warmth. Not all babies like all the same baby biz.
as long as they can hold their heads up, sit up, you're fine
have you tried a sleep sack?
I've always put a blanket in with my baby since birth. We use a blanket my mom crocheted so that if she were to ever pull it over her head she could still breathe. Just watch how he sleeps. My daughter would never move from the position I put her in when she was little. Now she's all over the place (9 months) and uses her blanket as a comfort item. I say if you feel comfortable with it, do it.
Like the other moms, I'd suggest a small lovey blanket. Also, my mommy & me teacher had a great idea for this. You can put one of your shirts in the bed so the baby has your scent right by them. This seemed to work well for my son for a few months (he now has a blanket he's in love with!). Also, tie the shirt in a knot so there's no chance your baby will get wrapped up in it.
