As a new parent, you may be eager to tuck your little one in with that soft, adorable baby blanket from Grandma. After all, we adults find blankets comforting and warm at night. It’s natural to assume your baby would love the same cozy feeling. However, you’ve probably also heard warnings about keeping cribs bare and the risks of loose bedding. This can be confusing—why sell baby blankets if newborns shouldn’t use them? When can babies safely sleep with a blanket? The answer isn’t as straightforward as you might think.
As a father to four children, I learned many years ago not only when children can use blankets, but also that a child’s timeline also depends on the child. In my research, I found a lot of conflicting information, which I hope to cut through for you as a concerned parent by exploring why experts say to hold off on blankets for a while, discussing when adding a blanket becomes safer, and offering tips to keep your baby warm and secure.
Let’s dive into what experts say so you can rest more easily knowing your baby is sleeping safely and hopefully soundly! Also, check out my article that answers the question: When can a toddler have a pillow?
Why Can’t Young Babies Sleep With Blankets?
Blankets and other soft bedding are unsafe for infants under 12 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) is clear: Babies should sleep on their backs in an empty crib with no loose blankets, pillows, stuffed toys, or bumpers around them.
A soft blanket might seem harmless, but it can cover your baby’s nose or mouth and obstruct breathing, which is a serious hazard. Soft bedding (like loose blankets) is blamed for nearly 70% of sleep-related suffocation deaths in babies, according to a 2019 study.
A blanket covering an infant’s face can cause them to “re-breathe” their exhaled air. The baby inhales less oxygen and more carbon dioxide because the soft fabric traps the air. Older children or adults would wake up and move if that happened, but young babies might not have the reflex or strength to pull themselves free. This is why loose blankets dramatically increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and accidental suffocation in a sleeping infant. Babies, especially newborns, can’t reliably roll away or push objects off their face, so any extra item in the crib can become dangerous.
Given these risks, pediatricians and child safety experts worldwide urge parents to keep the crib empty for the first year of life. That means the crib or bassinet should contain only a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet, and your baby should be placed on its back to sleep. No blankets, pillows, or stuffed animals. This “bare is best” approach is part of the AAP’s recommended safe sleep practices to reduce suffocation and SIDS.
It might feel strange not to give your baby a blanket, but remember that infants don’t need those extras to sleep well. In fact, a simpler sleep environment is safer and can help everyone sleep more soundly in the long run.
When Can Babies Sleep With A Blanket? It Depends
Sooner or later, your little one will outgrow the “no-blankets” rule—but not as soon as their first cold night, and not even right when they turn one. No magic number is stamped on the calendar when a blanket suddenly becomes 100% risk-free. Every baby develops at their own pace. None of my four children had the same schedule, which was fine.
Most experts agree you should wait until at least 12 months before letting your baby sleep with a blanket. Many pediatricians and safety organizations suggest being extra cautious until 18 months or even 2 years old.
By around a year old, healthy babies have usually passed the highest-risk period for SIDS, and they have the motor skills to roll over and move clothes away from their face if needed. In other words, babies are generally stronger and more mobile after their first birthday, which means a lightweight blanket is less likely to pose a suffocation risk.
According to guidance cited by What to Expect, there’s no official “guaranteed safe” age for blankets. Still, soft bedding is considered less dangerous for most healthy babies after 12 months of age (and ideally 18 months or older).
There is no need to rush the process. Many toddlers continue sleeping in wearable blankets (sleep sacks) well past one year because they tend to kick off regular blankets anyway! It often isn’t until around 3 or 4 years old that a child consistently keeps covers on through the night. My seven-year-old only recently started consistently sleeping with her comforter, preferring warm pajamas and light comfort blankets in the winter.
How to Use a Blanket Safely (When Baby Is Ready)
Once you move past the “when can babies sleep with a blanket” stage and believe your child is old enough to introduce a blanket, it’s important to do so as safely as possible.
Here are some tips for using a blanket safely after the one-year (or 18-month) mark:
Choose the Right Blanket for Your 1+ Year Old: Opt for a lightweight, breathable blanket rather than a heavy quilt. A thin cotton or muslin blanket is a good choice.
It should be small enough that it doesn’t have a lot of excess material. Avoid knitted blankets with large holes or loose threads that could snag tiny fingers. Never use weighted blankets for infants, as those are all unsafe at this age.
Introduce Blankets to Your Infant Gradually: Consider placing the blanket in the crib during naptime under supervision first.
Tuck the Blanket Low and Tight: One recommended method (especially if your child is closer to 12-18 months) is to tuck the blanket securely at the foot of the mattress and only bring it up to about chest level.
Keep the Crib Bare Otherwise: Even after adding a blanket, keep pillows, toys, and other items out of the sleep space.
Avoid Thick Bedding and Overheating: Skip the oversized, puffy comforters or adult-size blankets for toddlers.
How to Keep Your Baby Warm Without A Blanket (And When To Stop These Practices)
You might think, “Okay, no blankets for a year or more…but I don’t want my baby to freeze at night! How do I keep them warm?” The good news is there are plenty of safe alternatives to blankets for keeping your baby cozy. Babies can sleep just fine in cooler temperatures with the right clothing and sleep setup.
Layer Your Baby’s Clothing Appropriately
Strategic layering is the easiest way to ensure your baby stays warm without a blanket. Generally, dress your little one in one extra layer than you’d wear comfortably. For example, if you feel cozy sleeping in pajamas, dress your baby in pajamas plus a onesie underneath. Consider footed pajamas or sleepers that cover feet and hands to retain body heat. Check your baby’s temperature by feeling their chest or the back of their neck—this gives you a good indication if they’re too hot or too cold.
Use A Wearable Blanket Or Sleep Sack
Wearable blankets, commonly known as sleep sacks, are excellent safe sleep alternatives to traditional blankets. Sleep sacks keep your baby comfortably warm without loose fabric posing risks. Sleep sacks are available in various sizes and thicknesses (often indicated by a TOG rating) and adapt easily to seasonal temperatures. Lightweight cotton sacks are ideal for warmer months, while fleece or quilted versions offer extra warmth during colder weather. Plus, sleep sacks have the added benefit of discouraging adventurous toddlers from climbing out of their cribs, as their legs are gently contained.
Adjust The Room Temperature
Maintaining a safe and consistent room temperature helps your baby sleep comfortably. Pediatricians typically recommend keeping your nursery between 68°F to 72°F (20°C to 22°C). Consider adjusting your thermostat slightly instead of relying on heavy blankets or portable heaters. Additionally, keep your baby’s crib away from direct drafts, vents, or windows to minimize exposure to cooler air. Using a fan for gentle airflow (without blowing directly onto your baby) can also help keep the temperature even and reduce the risk of overheating, which is associated with a higher risk of SIDS.
Swaddling For Younger Babies
If your baby is still a newborn, swaddling is another safe and effective method to keep them warm and comforted. Swaddling snugly wraps your baby in a thin, breathable fabric, providing security and warmth without loose bedding. However, to prevent potential safety hazards, remember to discontinue swaddling once your baby begins to show signs of rolling over (typically around 3-4 months).
By carefully layering your baby’s clothing, utilizing sleep sacks, regulating room temperature, and safely swaddling when appropriate, you can confidently keep your baby cozy and safe without introducing blankets prematurely.
When researching the question, “When can babies sleep with a blanket?” I quickly learned that while almost all experts have a minimum requirement to wait until at least 12 months old, it’s a more complex question. If you don’t believe your child has the motor coordination or strength to pull a blanket, even a light blanket, away from their face, or you have other concerns, it may be best to wait until 18 months or older. As with any question of safety, I always recommend talking to your child’s pediatrician, as every child is different and will have unique needs and timelines.
This article was written for educational purposes. Our goal is to provide valuable medical information that can help parents understand any potential risks associated with giving their child a blanket to sleep with. We recommend you speak to your medical provider if you have questions about your child sleeping with a blanket. There is no substitute for advice provided by a healthcare provider who understands your child’s personal underlying medical history and needs.