Babies should not sleep with blankets before they are 12 months old, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), due to the risk of accidental suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). The safest practice is to avoid loose blankets in the crib during an infant's first year. After 12 months, it becomes safer as babies can roll over and move objects away from their faces. Some experts suggest ideally waiting until 18 months or older before introducing a blanket, ensuring it is tucked in below the chest to prevent it from covering the baby's head during sleep. To keep a baby warm without a blanket during the first year, alternatives like swaddling (until the baby starts rolling), sleep sacks, or appropriate clothing layers are recommended. Once a baby starts rolling (usually around 3 to 5 months), swaddling should stop, and wearable blankets such as sleep sacks can be used as safer alternatives until blankets can be introduced around 12 to 18 months. In summary:
- No blankets for babies under 12 months old for safety.
- Prefer swaddling or sleep sacks during early months.
- Introduce blankets around 12 to ideally 18 months.
- Always ensure safe sleep environment with baby placed on their back in a crib.
These guidelines help reduce risks of suffocation and SIDS, promoting safer sleep for babies.
