Blankets After the First Year

Footie PJ's, Sweats, stretchy pjs, a space heater... a blanket is easier then dressing for the weather, but only if it stays on.

If you'd like her to get used to a blanket, you'll probably wither have to wait for cold weather, or driving with the sun slanting through the window. AKA, putting a blanket on her in the car seat when you're driving. Cuddling up under a blanket, together on the couch/rocker/tent in the living room floor. If you get her used to the snugglies/sun protection/cold protection... she'll eventually want one in her bed, to snuggle and stay warm with.

Caveat:

Some people are hot sleepers. My son temps at 97.2 in the daytime and 99-101 at night. Regardless of airconditioning, blankets, little-naked-boy, what have you. I did the same thing as a kid. I remember countless extra kisses in the middle of the night (as my mu would tuck me in yet AGAIN), and then waking up sometime soon after drenched in sweat and kicking off the stupid blankets. (Ahem, these days I have a feather bed and two down comfoters, and I'm prepared for livin the next ice age in style.) Eventually it was just my feet that got hot. To this day I don't use a top sheet, and just wash the duvet once a week with the sheets, so I can poke my feet out.

When you say you "feel like she is cold", is it after touching little icicle limbs, or because you would be cold yourself? If you feel like she's cold and touch her feet, hands, and cheeks, and they're warm... she's not cold. She's turned her thermostat up. (Something we can all do with practice, actually.) If they're chill, she's cold. And that's easy enough. Toss a hat on, pull socks on, or add a thicker layer to her PJ's. The blanket will come in time.

Babies and young children often do not like blankets. This is common. You can't 'make' a baby use a blanket. It comes in time, mostly when they are 2+ years old even, when THEY can control their motor skills more, at-will and deliberately. My kids never liked blankets until they were after 2 years old.

To keep her warm, put on a long sleeved and long legged onesies or pajamas... or a long sleeved shirt and long pants.

And yes, if she gets tangled up in the blanket you try to use on her, do NOT use it. Because she is obviously not "safe" with a blanket in bed with her... she gets tangled up and this is not safe...

All the best,
Susan

My son has always slept with blankets in his crib however never really used them to cover himself unless he is playing (he is 21 months). I try to dress him accordingly cause he gets cold some nights and wakes up. I don't put on his jammies until about 30 minutes before bed (my son goes to bed between 8:30 & 8:45) that way I can get a good feel for how cool the night will be. I always dress him a little warmer if I'm not sure how cool it will be. When it was really cool out I would put him in a short sleeve onesie and a flannel footed jammie. I still cover my son when I go to bed and then again if I wake up in the middle of the night. Good luck. I know that this has been an on going issue at our house as well.

Hi G., First of all I have to say, and I will probbably get blasted for it, but i can't belive that baby's are going without blankets the first year. Blankets are not just to keep baby's warm, they give baby's a cozy secure feeling while they sleep, I can't believe baby's are going with out that. I'm not a doctor but all 3 of my kids had blankets from the time they were in the hospital to the time their grown, all 5 of the kids in my family, we all had blankets as baby's. I have have many many baby's come through my daycare over the past 12 years all had blankets, and in none of these babys ever was a case of sids. One of my girlfriends baby died of sids while sleeping in her arms.
With that said, most baby's tots move around a lot when they sleep, and come out of their covers, your daughter may be doing that cause shes not used to a blanket, but what i did, everytime i woke up to use the bathroom I always checked on my baby's kids, and if they had came uncovered I just covered them back up, I wouldn't worry to much about that, as mom's we always worry about if our baby's are warm enough, the truth is, they get warm pretty easy, I was the same way. Well enjoy your daughter, kids are so much fun, and girls are even more fun for us moms. J.

my daughter has always used a blanket. maybe start out with a small one like for a new born. if you feel shes too cold then put long sleeves and pants on her. just take it one day at a time and dont rush it theres no reason to its hot out at night so she wont need a blanket at all soon.

My little ones don't always like blankets either, but always felt cold to the touch. I just dress them warm for bed.