Babies sleeping with blankets is dangerous, you know! see the facts here

To protect your baby from being exposed to the night wind or cold air conditioning, your parents' instincts may tell you to immediately wrap your little one's body while he sleeps. Even though the intentions are good, do you know there are dangers lurking for their safety if a baby sleeps with a blanket?

Getting your baby to sleep in a blanket increases the risk of sudden death

Various studies have shown that getting a baby into the habit of putting a baby to sleep using a blanket, even if it is soft, can increase the risk of sudden infant death, aka SIDS (S udden Infant Death Syndrome) up to fivefold, regardless of the baby's sleeping position.

The surface of the blanket which is wide and classified as heavy can cover the baby's face, making it difficult for him to breathe. This often occurs when the baby moves his feet during sleep, so there is a high chance that the blanket covers his face or even suffocates him and in turn increases the risk of the baby being suffocated.

Pillows are also dangerous for babies

Although the exact cause of SIDS is not well known, child health experts are warning parents to adopt safe sleeping habits for babies. One of them is by letting the baby sleep alone in his bed.

Putting your baby to sleep in the same bed as you and your partner, or decorating the crib with pillows, blankets, or stuffed animals can increase the risk of sudden death (SIDS), whether due to being crushed by you / your partner or choking on the pillow and blanket.

This recommendation is based on the results of a study conducted by the American Academy of Pediatrics (APP). They found that half of the infant population in the United States who still sleep with their parents in a bed or a bed decorated with pillows and knick-knacks is the group with the highest risk of SIDS. This recommendation was also shared by a team of experts from the National Infant Sleep Position Study, which surveyed parents regarding their baby's crib and sleeping habits from 1993 to 2010.

So, when can babies use blankets and pillows while sleeping?

It's best not to let the baby sleep in a blanket until at least 12 months of age. After 12 months of age, babies generally roll over on their own to change positions and have good enough motor control to move the blanket off their face.

Meanwhile, the use of pillows for babies is recommended when the baby is 2 years old. At this age, the baby is deemed able to move freely so that if there is a pillow covering his face, he can get rid of it. While there are a variety of pillows, ranging from shapes, colors, and images, available for babies, you should still choose a pillow that is small and flat so that it can provide good neck support.

In essence, the best option is to place the baby to sleep on a plain mattress without blankets and pillows, including dolls and other baby toys until the baby's age according to those mentioned above. But that doesn't mean you have the heart to let your baby sleep without a blanket and get cold at night. You can still protect the baby by wearing a sleeping bag that can warm the baby's body.

This baby sleeping bag is usually a long garment that covers all parts of the body, including the hands and feet. This clothing is safer because it will not cover the face when the baby moves while sleeping.

Here are some recommendations from the AAP for your baby to sleep comfortably at home:

Avoid using special baby baskets equipped with bumper cots (pads to cover the walls of the bassinet), sleep positioner, special mattresses, or anything else that is often claimed to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. The AAP believes that these devices not only fail to protect your baby, they also increase the risk of your baby choking or shortness of breath when using them.
Position the baby to sleep in a supine position and always monitor its movements.
Do not bring your baby to sleep on the sofa or on a chair as it can be dangerous if you fall asleep too. It is the same as not breastfeeding a baby when you are sleepy.
Keep babies away from cigarette smoke or pollution.