Are Weighted Blankets Safe for Babies?

December 01, 2021 3 min read

Many are flocking to the weighted blanket market and buying a weighted blanket to get better quality sleep at night. Thedeep pressure stimulation of a weighted blanket feels like a gentle hug.Studies show that with regular use of a weighted blanket, there can be a slight increase in serotonin (the hormone that makes you happy) and a lowering of overall cortisol levels (the hormone that makes you stressed) which helps us to relax, providing a more restful night's sleep.

Weighted blankets have become a staple in many people's lives over recent years. Many claim to be “addicted” to their weighted blanket and cannot sleep without it. Some people even buytravel weighted blanketsorlap pads for comfort on the road or for travel by air.

So, would a weighted blanket also provide the same level of comfort for a baby?

Laura, the founder of Mosaic Weighted Blankets says , “My first baby was fat and cuddly and slept all the time, he was a dream baby. My second baby, however, was a very different story. He had colic, was thin (not roly poly) and basically cried from 4 to 6 pm everyday for the first three months of his life. It was very hard on mom and dad, and although I was an experienced parent, it was a very challenging for me. I remember the literature that the pediatrician gave me said, “Babies cry for all sorts of reasons, and at different times during the day or night. This is part of being an infant and parents need to be patient until the baby falls into a solid routine.”

So we have established that a baby can be a challenge at times and parents are always looking for something to help your child sleep.

As tempting as it might seem, weighted blankets arenot recommended for babies, and they can actually pose a risk to your infant. Some experts say that babies must be left in a crib and placed on their side or back for the first year of life with no stuffed animals, excessive covers, or anything that could get in their face and stop them from breathing.

Weighted blankets are a highlighted risk to babies, toddlers or children with developmental disorders or delays. Two deaths have been reported for a nine year old boy with developmental delays/autism and in for a nine month old baby.

In order to have a weighted blanket, a child must be 2 to 3 years old, have the ability to walk well, and be able to push whatever is in front of them away from themselves to make room while sleeping. Theexcess weight of a weighted blanket could cause the baby to get trapped under the blanket and not be able to move. Babies do not have the ability to push weighted items away. TheAmerican Pediatrics Association asserts that soft objects and loose bedding should be kept away from toddlers while they sleep. They also say that soft objects and loose bedding both put toddlers at risk of SIDS, suffocation, strangulation, and entrapment.

Customers who reach out to Mosaic Weighted Blankets about a weighted blanket for someone younger than 2 years old are advised by our staff that the child must be over two years old, and walking well in order to try a weighted blanket for a child.

Children are a joy. But those first couple of years can be a challenge, that’s for sure! Grab a cup of coffee and enjoy the experience of bonding with your baby, even on sleepless nights.

If you have any questions you can contact ushere!