Few things are more cozy than a big bed stocked with loads of fluffy blankets. It can turn the coldest day into a toasty retreat. But, as the saying goes, babies change everything, and this includes your sleeping environment as well. So can you have blankets on your bed if you co-sleep with your baby, or do you need to have a more simplified sleeping arrangement?
Although you won't have to sleep on a bare mattress to keep your infant safe, there are some things you will want to keep in mind when it comes to babies, bed sharing, and blankets. First, as noted by the University of Notre Dame's Mother-Baby Behavioral Sleep Laboratory (BSL), your baby should only have light blanketing for sleeping, and (not that you need to be told this) it should not cover his head. The exact type of blanketing you use may vary, but it's a good idea to steer clear of fluffy beddings, as further noted by the BSL, because these may present a suffocation hazard.
When it comes to your blanket choice, the consensus seems to be that lightweight is best. Sure, those heavy comforters are snuggly, but you can enjoy them again once your baby is in his own bed. In the meantime, you can follow advice from pediatrician Dr. Jay Gordon and use only light blankets when co-sleeping that do not allow your baby to get tangled up. In general, it's a good idea to maintain a family bed that's free from loads of blankets, pillows, or anything else that may prevent a suffocation hazard for your little one.
And if you're exceptionally concerned about accidentally harming your baby when you're conked out, then there are some alternatives you may consider. As noted by The Sleep Lady, you may consider foregoing blankets altogether by dressing in warm layers and corralling your baby into a sleep sack. It's all about what works for you and your situation, so if you feel the need to kick blankets out of the family bed, then by all means don't hesitate to do so. Babies nestled in sleep sacks are extremely cute, anyway.
