I Need Other Mom Opinions...

You can breath through blankets, and get enough O2 to the brain doing that. My son used to, and still sometimes does, like to sleep with his blanket over his face. If I had covered my child for some reason, and someone freaked out on me I would be pretty annoyed - considering all the unwanted advice most parents get anyway. If you were going to say something, for fear or concern, I would do what one of the others had suggested and ask to see the baby or engage the mom that way - telling a parent they are essentially killing their kids is not a great way to get through!

Wow I wonder if thats why I can't stand to have a blanket over my head too! I think I'd make it a question. "That looks so cozy, can she get fresh air under there?" You've entered the conversation a softer way.
Good luck, A. H

don't say anything. the baby was not in danager.
I agree with Lacy 100 %.

the baby is still getting oxygen through the blanket....it is not saran wrap. Just the same when people who are outside for hours skiing wear what you call fleece turtles over their face...still getting oxygen. Don't woory so much baby is fine. It is nice that you do care so much though.

My son puts a burp cloth over his face to sleep. I take it off, he puts it back on. I have yet to hear of a baby dying or having brain damage from a blanket. They are far more resilient than that. You can get plenty of oxygen through a blanket as long as it isn't secured over the mouth and head. Our bodies are made to arouse us if we are depleated of air...the baby would wake up and stir.

i am a mother of five and know as the mouth i always have to say something like whem i see people driving with the handle up on the infant car seat i tell them how unsafe it is and if they were in rear ended the car seat wont due it job.so there is a way to tell people something with out hurting them speak up

I am with you on this. I have not seen the direct covering, except with the car ceat covers and I guess I just assumed that they allow for air flow. If you read up on this it can cause SIDS, you are not supposed to have cloth anywhere near your child's face because of that. I might say something in passing like "Oh, did you notice the blanket is right over your baby's face." Then follow up with a response like I just did not want hime to suffocate with the blanket right over his face. You may get some irritated parents, but that will depend on if you care about it.

I have seen this too. Too many times. If it is someone I know (not a stranger) I would in a kind matter of fact way say, "Oh, when my kids were in the infant car seat I would position the blanket like this (show her)so that they were still snug. It is just enough to keep the cold air out and yet enough of a pocket so they are not breathing in their own carbon dioxide. It is also helpful if they do wake up they have a little tent so they can look around."

I would and have said something. Some people just don't think of these kind of things. Be a humble teacher. When they actually here you say, "that way they are not breathing their own carbon dioxide" it might awaken something in them. That is actually how I knew not to do it - someone casually mentioned it.

Hi A., I wonder the same thing all of the time. Sometimes I say, " oh can I see your baby??" Once the mom takes off the blanket, then try to engage her in a conversation about the blanket. Maybe say something like, wow, I am surprised you had the blanket so close to your baby's face, I read recently how dangerous that is. Then, back off a bit and say, I don't know, it's just something I read, or just something my doctor told me. ( you get the idea ) she may still be offended, but at least you have her thinking about it.) Good luck

A.,

This also drives me CRAZY!!!!

I personally have not done this and I never will. If I realized a friend of mine had forgot the blanket on the baby I would peek under there and check on the baby(hoping my friend would see me).

I've never said anything to a stranger though.

I'd say it casually, like some of the moms have mentioned. I also put a blanket over the baby from inside to care, but always make sure to use the canopy of the car seat to help keep the blanket off the baby's face.
And about Amy I response:
The no driving with handle up issue is not true with all car seats. For newer Graco Snug Rides it can be in 3 positions while in the car. Position A is straight up like when carrying it, Position C is right behind the shell of the seat, and then Position D is all the way behind towards the floor. It should be on page 16 of the Graco manual

I did a quick online search to see about a warning you could site to these moms, but I couldn't find any. If you want to pursue it further, and then print out any info you find and say "I was just reading this about covering a baby's face with a blanket..." Honestly, my kids did it themselves when they slept. They're all over 10 now, and have IQ's over 130 so it may not be as dangerous as all that?

A.,

I have 5 children and have never ever heard of any baby suffocating because of a blanket draped over them in cold weather. I have to agree with Lacy and say that I don't see much danger of asphyxiation. Blankets are not plastic, there is some air flow through them. Why don't you ask your pediatrician next time your in the office?

I would definitely say something. I too have noticed and been disturbed by it. Like another mom said to you, there are a lot of people out there who simply don't know any better and wouldn't do it if they realized it was dangerous. If you are worried about insulting the mother (which is bad because then she might not take your advice) you could try this line, "I had a friend who used to do that but someone told her it wasn't safe because..."

I remember doing this to get a baby from the car in to a building, but that was only minimal time. To have a blanket directly on the face for any longer than that just seems unsafe.

Tough call - I understand not wanting to insult anyone or tell them how to raise their child, yet the safety of the child needs to be considered also. I'm not sure I have a black and white answer - I think it would depend on the person and the situation as to how I'd react. I tend to be pretty laid back so if someone pointed out something to me that they thought I was doing wrong, I'd consider what they were saying and shrug off the need to consider it an insult. But that's not how everyone is.

So that's just my 2 cents...

I would gently let them know that babies just like adults need fresh air. Babies cannot breath as easily as adults, so me being a mom, I would be worried about SIDS etc...

HI A. - I think I'd say something. Perhaps some moms aren't too bright and they need someone to point out the obvious. I think they'll be grateful that someone is looking out for their baby - good luck - Alison

I wouldn't say anything. Maybe the mother next to you was nursing (I often cover my baby with a blanket when nursing in public). If you do decide to say something, be prepared to defend your position on blankets posing a danger to the baby.

I personally don't think there's any danger in this situation. There *is* O2 in exhaled breath, and blankets are porous. My baby will cover her face with anything she can get her hands on; I think it's a comfort thing for a lot of infants.

Perhaps asking the momma to see her baby? Then make a comment about the carbon dioxide...
Most baby blankets are thin and allow air to flow thru them. Plus, unless you tuck those balnkets in pretty well I doubt you get anywhere near an air tight seal.
Use your judgement in each case you see as to whether you speak up or not. I think that the more you coo over the baby the less offense the momma takes...

YOu could always ask athe mother.."can I see what your baby looks like?" and when she uncovers the face, ooh and aah about how cute the baby is...
I think any way you say it, it would be considered criticism and probably not taken very well by the mother. If the blanket is really thick, I would say something like, 'I can understand you want to protect her from the cold, but with that thick blanket, she is re-brething her carbon dioxide, so maybe evry few minutes you can uncover her and then cover her up again'. If it is a lighter blanket, I probably wouldn't say anything. I think danger to the baby is a possibility if it is a thick blanket.