When Is It Safe to Sleep with Blanket?q

Updated on October 27, 2009
E.R. asks from Silver Spring, MD
12 answers

My daughter is 21 months and recently asked for a blanket in her crib while napping. Thus far we have been relying on the sleep sack and a small heater to keep her warm. Is she old enough for a small blanket without serious safety concerns?

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E.K.

answers from Washington DC on

I have not looked at any of the responses yet, but here's my 2 cents. If they can move their head left to right and back again, AND they can roll over, then they can have a blanket. That's what I used when trying to decide timing. SO I would have to say yes. In fact by my children's (now 13,11 & 6) 2nd birthday they all had pillows and blankets, and bears in bed with them.

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M.S.

answers from Washington DC on

She is definitely old enough for a blanket and even a pillow if she likes to sleep on one. Once they can start getting around on their own, the safety risks go down significantly.

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

I kept everything but baby out of the crib until 12-13 months. The longest I have heard recommended (per SIDS recommendations) is 18 months). My 20 month old has a variety of baby safe stuffed animals in her crib and a blanket occasionally. I just make sure there is nothing she could use as a ladder or a stepstool and fall out of the crib. Honestly, I would be more worried about a heater catching fire than a blanket at this age. Also, she is almost if not already old enough for a twin bed with pillows, etc. Good luck!

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R.D.

answers from Washington DC on

She is definitely old enough :). She is enough big enough to be out of the crib if you wanted. None of my kids were in there past 20 months...the older two had another one coming after them and the youngest one was my only jumper :).

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J.C.

answers from Lynchburg on

When my kids were about 3 months old, we felt they were developed enough to have blankets. They turned their heads well, could even sit unsupported, etc, so we felt like it wouldn't be a problem. They both had no problem. If your child has some physical/developmental delays you may want to wait longer, but I would think at almost 2 years she'd be perfectly fine.

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J.C.

answers from Richmond on

pretty unanimous responses here.. yes..she is old enough to have a blanket. She is perfectly capable of moving around and removing it from her when she would want/need to.

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J.K.

answers from Washington DC on

Hi E.,

I am a mother of 6 and my 5 month old daughter must have her blanket and woobie to snuggle with. I think at this age they are aware of when they need to turn their heads to breath. I have watched her do it. Your child is much older and I don't see any reason not to give her a blanket. I started out tucking in the blanket real tight around them as a baby and then giving them a woobie to cuddle with that is very small and light weight. Try that :)
Take care,
Jules

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S.M.

answers from Washington DC on

She is pleanty old enough now unless she has mobility problems. The concern is for her sticking her face in a corner with the blanket, getting stuck and sufficating. Most kids are able to maneuver around things pretty well by 18 mos. If you are still worried, just use the blankie and not a top sheet since she might get tangled up in it at first. My girls used their snuggle blankets in the bed between 18mos and 2 yrs. After my youngest turned 2 and both were in toddler beds, they graduated to real blankets and top sheets.

Enjoy her.

S.

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T.B.

answers from Norfolk on

I think now is fine! we had a blanket in with my daughter at 18 months. it was small not heavy and very lightweight! she still sleeps with it. and is 2 1/2. but the blanket always stays in her crib!

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A.P.

answers from Denver on

Yes, she's old enough now. You might pick something not too big or heavy, so the risk of getting tangled is minimal.

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M.C.

answers from Washington DC on

yes she is old enough. start with a light weight baby blanket. I liked the Koala knit ones. there are tiny holes for air flow, if needed.
M.

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C.L.

answers from Washington DC on

Yes, as long as she has no issues that prevent her from rolling over, lifting her head, sitting up, moving a blanket off of her, etc. My son used a blanket from I think 9 or 10 months without a problem. One thing that helped me feel more comfortable was we used crocheted blankets made my friends and family which he really loved but it also made me feel better b/c they have holes in them. My son liked putting them over his head so the holes made me feel better!

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