are weighted blankets dangerous for babies?
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One of the largest underlying concerns with the use of weighted blankets in infants is sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS. “Blankets can obstruct the face and potentially lead to suffocation and SIDS,” Hartford explained. “Overheating has also been identified as increasing the risk of SIDS.
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Weighted blankets especially benefit those suffering from anxiety or insomnia. They are particularly helpful for children on the autism spectrum, who crave touch and pressure but are unable to tolerate typical physical touch from loved ones.
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Weighted blankets, viewed as a fad just a few years ago, are now mainstream. While features vary, the blankets are usually filled with plastic pellets to add weight, usually ranging from about 4 to 25 pounds. The ideal weight depends on a person's own weight.
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Development aside, Bumbo seats have proven to be dangerous. Babies may climb out and fall, tip over, or even tumble from raised surfaces, causing serious injury. Warning labels don't necessarily prevent unsafe use. Physical development aside, the Bumbo seat has been proven to be unsafe.
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A weighted blanket offers a similar constant pressure throughout the night. Some studies suggest using one could lengthen certain stages of the sleep cycle and improve sleep quality. Weighted blankets are generally safe for adults and teens, but they shouldn't be used for a baby.
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A swaddle that is too tight can restrict breathing, but one that is too loose may unravel and put the baby at risk of asphyxiation. Caregivers can avoid this altogether by purchasing swaddle wraps with snaps or Velcro or they can follow the AAP's six steps to a safe swaddle (infographic courtesy of Allina Health).
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Weighted blankets should NEVER be used with babies under 1 year old. If your child is under 1 year old, always remember to follow the ABCs of safe sleep: The baby should be Alone, on their Back, in a Crib, in a non-Smoking home.
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Gravity blankets®, weighted blankets, heavy blankets or anxiety blankets are all names for blankets that are filled with weight and are used for a medical purpose.
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Weighted blankets are a type of at-home therapy that can provide similar benefits to deep pressure therapy. These blankets have shown positive results for several conditions, including autism, ADHD, and anxiety. They can help calm a restless body, reduce feelings of anxiety, and improve sleep troubles.
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But sharing a bed can be harmful to your baby. When your little one sleeps on anything other than a mattress with a tight sheet and nothing else nearby, it increases her risk of SIDS and hinders safe sleep, especially in the first six months of life.
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At home, by contrast, unsecured car seats can topple over; straps aren't used; infants are left unattended and sitting upright. Car seats, swings, rockers, and bouncers are also considered safe for babies who are awake and being monitored. The best place for a baby to sleep, then, is a crib.
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Using a weighted blanket that's too heavy for you might be less than effective, counter-productive, and cause your system more stress instead, rather than calm and improve sleep. You can also end up getting too hot (instead of the comfortable warmth when you have the right gravity and length), resulting in poor sleep.
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Parents should avoid using any aftermarket cover, blanket, sleeping bag, or bunting where any part of the product has to go in before the baby is buckled snug. If the entire product can go on after the baby is safely buckled, it is not interfering with the function of the car seat in a crash.
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As long as your child's sleep sack is sleeveless, rest assured they are safe. Remember that sleep sacks that cover your baby's arms can make it dangerously difficult for them to extricate themselves from whatever position they get themselves into in their crib.
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The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is reminding parents and caregivers not to put babies in sleep positioners. These products—sometimes also called “nests” or “anti-roll” products—can cause suffocation (a struggle to breathe) that can lead to death.
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Weighted blankets are a tool occupational therapists (OTs) often recommend for kids with ADHD, SPD, and autism spectrum disorders to help with calming. The weight is intended to provide proprioceptive input to the brain, which has a calming and organizing effect on the central nervous system.
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According to the AAP, there is no evidence that crib bumpers protect against injury, but they do carry a potential risk of suffocation, strangulation, or entrapment because infants lack the motor skills or strength to turn their heads should they roll into something that obstructs their breathing.