There’s nothing more heartwarming than watching your little baby tucked up in a cosy blanket or snuggled up to their favourite stuffed animal, sleeping peacefully. Every time you go shopping in cute little baby shops, your eyes light up when you see anything soft and fluffy, imagining your little one with their tiny arms wrapped around it, rocking themselves gently to sleep.

There’s no doubt that weighted blankets are a popular choice among parents nowadays. But while you’d assume that sleeping against a soft, safe object such as a blanket or cuddly toy would help your little one drift off calmly to sleep, there are in fact a few things to consider before placing a fluffy creature in their cot.

First of all, let’s look at what many people assume are the benefits of supplying their baby with a security blanket or a stuffed animal.

What are the supposed benefits of blankets and stuffed animals?

Induces better sleep.
It helps your baby feel safe and secure.
It helps your baby feel calm and protected.

Now let's take a look at the risks associated with letting your baby sleep with a blanket or stuffed animal.

What are the risks associated with letting your baby sleep with a blanket or stuffed animal?

The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) points out that for the first twelve months, a baby’s crib should be bare, with nothing “extra” other than your sleeping baby.

The risks they have identified include:

Buttons from soft toys may pose choking hazards.
Babies may get trapped underneath blankets, so they’re unable to move.

Suffocation, strangulation, and other SIDS-related concerns.

Now let’s take a look at how you can make the best decision for you and your baby.

How do I use this information to make a decision that’s right for my baby?

While wrapping your child up in a snuggly blanket might seem like a nice thing to do, we suggest that while your baby is left unattended at night, you go for a more simple approach and provide a bare, minimal environment for sleeping.

If you would like to use something extra for your child at night, the AAP recommends using approved sleep sacks to reduce the risk of SIDs and any other sleep-related injuries.
If your child is napping next to you and you have your eye on your baby at all times, a non-weighted blanket is a fine option.

Can my baby sleep with a weighted blanket or stuffed animal?

On Unii’s Sleep Journey, we ask if your baby can sleep with a weighted blanket or stuffed animal.