Baby ?

[gracechick]

Dh is 16mths & I'm wondering like a book said Is she old enough to sleep with a lite blanket & a small stuffed animal? Especially since it's so cold now...What are the crib rules at this age

 

[oliveplants]

It would probably be okay. He's able to move around and stuff, so I don't think it would be dangerous. Only thing is, he probably won't stay under the blanket either. My 2 yr old sure doesn't. But now that he's used to having one, he has to have it.

 

[jessesgirl]

My month old son sleeps with a blanket..is that bad?
If I throw on one his legs he typically kicks it off but if I tiuck it under him or swaddle him, it stays on...will it hurt him?

 

[littlesister]

I think the warnings are just on the chance that a heavy blanket could suffocate a small baby who could not move it off his face. I personally swaddled my babies with a light receiving blanket or tucked it around. If it's a light blanket and you are checking them often, I don't think that is bad.

 

[jessesgirl]

oh okay...i was concerned there for a minute...thanks little sister!

 

[Sascha Fitzpatrick]

Jessesgirl,

In Australia, the guidelines that are STRONGLY encouraged by nurses and midwives and medics in regards to babies are:

* keep their head uncovered.
* have a firm mattress, and only one (sheepskins, soft ones aren't recommended).
* Wrap tightly (sleeping bags for babies are strongly recommended, that have the arms free for movement, but the legs are in the 'bag' - if that makes sense). There is a good technique for 'wrapping' (it's like swaddling, but keeps the head free), that is safe for the baby and keeps them lying on their backs, rather than rolling on their fronts/side (which increases the risk of smothering/choking).
* Lie them on their backs at all times.
* Keep their bed free from toys/pillows/things that 'position' the baby - as these can increase the risk of smothering.

Babies can overheat pretty quickly, so most recommendations mention only the sleeping bag, or a light muslin wrap/blanket at most. Room should be kept around the 25 degree mark - and there should be no more than one 'cover' on bub. And smoking is bad for babies - which goes without saying almost (so basically, keep them free from smoke as much as possible, especially with regards to immediate family and your own home/car).

This is the recommendations from SIDS&Kids Australia. I just sat through the course over the last couple of weeks - hence me knowing a lot!

For more info, you can look at http://www.sidsandkids.org/safe_sleeping-parents.html for the basics. From this site you can also download pamphlets on things such as 'what constitutes a safe sleeping environment in regards to mattress/toys/pillows'

Hope that helps!

Sasch

 

[jessesgirl]

Thanks Sasch! That DOES help!

 

[clycleader]

My son is now 17 months and has slept w/ a blanket covering him and a small stuffed rabbit since he could roll over on his own. My ped said that as long as he's big and strong enough to move himself, it's fine. He does overheat a lot, so I do use a light blanket and medium wieght sleeper. He generally kicks it off though.

 

[PilgrimChild]

When we first started using a blanket with DD (post-swaddling), we used a crocheted blanket. That way, if the blanket ever DID go over her head, she'd still be able to get oxygen through the holes in the blanket.
Might be an idea. The other thing we use in Winter is an thermostat-controlled electric oil heater in DD's room. (We also have an indoor thermometer in her room to monitor the temperature.) Now that DD's a toddler, DH has constructed a barrier box with plastic netting so that DD can't touch it. It's great.

 

[oliveplants]

When we first started using a blanket with DD (post-swaddling), we used a crocheted blanket. That way, if the blanket ever DID go over her head, she'd still be able to get oxygen through the holes in the blanket.
Might be an idea. The other thing we use in Winter is an thermostat-controlled electric oil heater in DD's room. (We also have an indoor thermometer in her room to monitor the temperature.) Now that DD's a toddler, DH has constructed a barrier box with plastic netting so that DD can't touch it. It's great.

Good idea!