At What Age Can a Toddler Start Using Blankets in a Crib?

As a parent, you probably can't stand the thought of your precious little one getting cold while she's slumbering in her crib, and a blanket is one of the easiest ways to ease that worry. Putting a blanket in your toddler's crib isn't always a safe idea, however, because it can cover your child's face as she moves around while she's sleeping. Waiting until the right age will help keep her safe.

  1. Appropriate Age

    • Infants should sleep in bare cribs, which means you should never put your baby to sleep in a crib that has stuffed animals, pillows, crib bumpers or blankets. The American Academy of Pediatrics makes these recommendations to reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS, and suffocation. The rules change, however, once your baby reaches her first birthday. Once your child reaches 12 months of age, it's much safer to put her to sleep with a blanket in her crib because the risk of SIDS drops significantly.

    Blankets Before 12 Months

    • Between 1992 and 2010, almost 700 babies died because of pillows or blankets being placed in their sleeping space, according to the Consumer Product Safety Commission. These deaths occur if a baby moves around in the crib, gets the blanket or pillow on her face and then cannot remove it, causing suffocation. Before 1 year of age, your baby may not have the dexterity to move blankets off her face, and she also may not be able to roll away from a blanket that's covering her face. Blankets can also cause your baby to overheat, which increases the risk of SIDS, according to the AAP.

    It Might Still Pose a Hazard

    • Even if your baby has reached his first birthday, blankets might still pose a hazard. Always speak to your child's pediatrician before introducing a blanket into the crib to be sure it's safe for your little one, his development and his health history. If you're worried your baby isn't developed enough to remove a blanket from his face, hold off for now. If you choose to put a blanket in your baby's crib, realize that the guideline isn't only for blankets. It still isn't safe to put pillows, thick quilts, stuffed animals or crib bumpers in your baby's crib, even if he's over a year old.

    Keeping Your Baby Warm

    • If you do opt to let your 1-year-old sleep in his crib with a blanket, make it a thin one, such as a receiving blanket. Thick quilts and comforters are too heavy, and your little one won't be able to remove them from his face or roll away from them. The same goes for electric blankets, which should never be used in a crib. If you're worried your baby will get cold, use warm sleep clothing, such as a sleep sack, the AAP recommends. These keep your baby warm, but they don't pose a suffocation hazard.

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