Baby blankets and safe sleep: how we think about it

We make baby blankets. So it'd be a bit odd if we didn't talk about safe sleep.

We're not health professionals, and this isn't medical advice. Red Nose is the organisation in Australia that sets the safe sleep guidelines, and their advice is what we follow and what we'd point anyone to. This post is a plain summary of what they say about blankets, and how we think about where our blankets fit.

What Red Nose says about bedding

For babies, Red Nose recommends:

• Sleep baby on their back, from birth.
• Keep their head and face uncovered.
• Put them in the cot with their feet at the bottom, so they can't wriggle down under the bedding.
• Keep the cot clear of doonas, quilts, pillows, bumpers, lambswool, loose fabric and soft toys.
• If you use blankets, tuck them in firmly and only up to the chest.
• A safe sleeping bag (fitted neck and armholes, no hood) is an alternative to blankets.

They also warn against draping anything over a pram, because it cuts airflow and makes it harder to see your baby.

You can read the full guidance on the Red Nose website, and they have a Safe Sleep Advice Line on 1300 998 698 (weekdays, 9am to 5pm) if you have questions.

So where does a baby blanket fit?

For a newborn, a lot of a blanket's life happens while they're awake. Here's how we use ours.

• Tummy time and the play mat. A soft, clean surface on the floor, with you right there.
• Cuddles on the couch. Wrapped up in your arms, not left alone.
• Over their legs in the pram. Tucked around, not over the top or across the hood.
• Photos. Monthly milestone photos on a blanket with their name on it are pretty popular.
• Later, toddler naps and daycare. Once they're older, a blanket becomes a comfort item for rest time. Always check your daycare's rules and Red Nose's guidance for your child's age.

What we don't do is put a loose blanket in a young baby's cot. If you do use one in the cot, follow the Red Nose advice above: feet at the bottom, tucked in firmly, no higher than the chest.

A note on our blankets specifically

Our blankets are two layers of minky, sewn together, 100 × 75 cm. They're soft and fairly light, but they're still a blanket, not a sleeping bag. Use them the way Red Nose recommends for bedding.

If you've got a question about whether a blanket is right for your baby's sleep setup, talk to Red Nose or your child health nurse. They know far more than we do.

You can see our designs in the personalised baby blankets collection.