Whether you have a little one on the way or are a new parent navigating the robust world of baby products, it can be tough to figure out not only what you need but also when. Ensuring your bundle of joy gets plenty of shut-eye is a top priority - it helps them grow and helps you get your much-needed rest. But just as important as soothing your baby to sleep is making sure they're safe while they snooze. Depending on your child's age, a swaddle, crib sheet, baby blanket and bed pillow might be part of the equation. If you're wondering whether your weeks or months-old baby can sleep with a newborn blanket or newborn pillow, the short answer is they can't. But that doesn't mean these items are off the table forever. So then, when can your tiny tot snuggle up with a baby pillow or quilt at night? Read on for answers to these questions, along with useful insight into the best bedding, towels and other baby essentials.
When Can a Baby Sleep With a Blanket? When is it considered safe for a child to have a baby blanket in their crib? Soft baby blankets are certainly cute and snuggly, and you might be tempted to offer one to your little one at bedtime or naptime. While they seem harmless enough, the reasoning is that loose fabrics can become twisted and ruffled, potentially covering an infant's nose and mouth while dozing. All you need in the crib those first 12 months is a crib sheet. Don't worry, though, because you can ensure your baby is plenty cozy and warm with pajamas and a swaddle. It might seem odd to forgo bed covers and place your baby in the middle of an otherwise empty crib, but your child won't miss the other items because, well, it's all they know. A baby blanket is essentially a small, soft blanket. Since infants aren't supposed to sleep with them, it's understandable to wonder what exactly they're for.
Baby blankets have lots of uses, including a nursing cover, a layer of warmth in the car seat or stroller, a cozy wrap or a diaper-changing surface in a pinch. For your kiddo's first birthday, you can give them some cozy gifts like a baby blanket or quilt for sleeping. Since they're made for tiny humans, baby quilt sizes are substantially smaller than regular-sized blankets. The smaller sizing minimizes the amount of fabric while making the product less heavy overall, thus reducing the chance of suffocation. Baby blanket dimensions are typically about 38 x 32 inches for infants or roughly 50 x 36 inches for toddlers. Swaddle blankets and receiving blankets are usually square, ranging from 40 x 40 inches to 48 x 48 inches. Conversely, a throw is closer to 50 x 70 inches, and regular quilts often come in adult bedding sizes. Get more specific details about how bed covers are sized in our Guide to Quilts, Blankets and Coverlets: A Modern Take on Traditional Covers.
Now that you're up to speed on when your child can use a baby blanket, you might be wondering when they can sleep on a crib mattress. Infants can actually Derila Sleep Support in cribs right away, though many parents start them in bassinets and then transition them to the crib at about three months. As long as you use a flat, firm crib mattress with a fitted crib sheet and don't place any additional items inside, like a baby pillow, quilt or stuffed animals, you can rest assured your little one will sleep safely. Since the launch of the Back to Sleep campaign in the 90s, the general consensus has been that newborns should sleep on their backs on a flat surface both at night and during naps.² Then when your infant begins to roll over at around the six-month mark, you can let them fall asleep on their tummy or side - or at least, you don't have to turn them over if they roll to that position.
For more guidance on keeping your child safe and healthy while they slumber, check out our article on Healthy Sleeping Habits for Babies. When Can a Baby Sleep With a Pillow? Is it considered safe for a child to have a baby pillow in their crib? The AAP says it's best to hold off on offering a baby sleeping pillow, as the soft, squishy material can be a safety hazard until a certain age. So then, Derila Pillow when can a toddler have a pillow? According to the AAP, you should wait until age two to minimize suffocation risk,³ at which point it's more of a toddler pillow. Of course, you want your growing tot to be as comfy as possible while they sleep. But as with bed covers, children don't miss what they've never had - and most don't even want to sleep with a pillow until they're at least 24 months old. Many parents let their young children decide if and when to begin sleeping with a pillow, while others place one in after two years and allow them to naturally gravitate toward it.