Newborns and Blankets

I know there were some blanket incidents over the last week with some of the younger babies --- and then this morning I was watching Bringing Home Baby -- and both shows the couple had their day old babies underneath these huge quilt blankets - and they were practically over the babies mouths on both episodes. I was in shock. I thought that everyone knew not to put blankets in cribs.

Jack still doesn't have a blanket and he is 19 months (and not getting one anytime soon)

Don't you think the hospitals should have some type of warning about this before you leave the hospital? Just as we have to watch the shaken baby video - I think that they should really educate new parents on what not to do -- because in all honesty, if it wasn't for LIF I don't think I would have known that either.

Message edited 2/17/2009 9:11:25 PM.

Re: Newborns and Blankets

You are so right!!!!!

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I noticed that too on ALL those baby shows and am always yelling at the TV I agree that hospitals should teach this.

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Posted by EmmaNick

I noticed that too on ALL those baby shows and am always yelling at the TV I agree that hospitals should teach this.

Re: Newborns and Blankets

DS was in the NICU and we had a lot of SIDS education from the nurses--I guess I figured everyone got that, but you are right, there should be some info given if its not already

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I know my ped aways asked if there were any blankets in the crib and when we said no they always said ok good - so they were kind of checking up.

But I completely agree that new parents should be told at the hospital. Even with swaddling the receiving blanket can ride up or change shape.

DD still does not have a blanket and will not have one anytime soon - I am so panicked about that.

Re: Newborns and Blankets

Does anyone know what size do sleep sacks go up to?..

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i was so surprised to learn that there were moms who didn't know that you should not use blankets or quilts for babies.

but then again, no one - not my OB, or the woman who taught my childbirth class, or any of the nurses in the hospital, said anything about SIDS or blankets.

i definitely think it should be something explained to new mommies! even if it's just a release form or something... it is obviously needed

ETA: diana, what shaken baby video are you referring to? i never had to watch one.

Message edited 2/17/2009 9:40:14 PM.

Re: Newborns and Blankets

Re: Newborns and Blankets

At Winthrop there was an optional baby care class they offered. We went to the class and they did cover the blanket thing. The made a point to say your babies are wrapped in blankets here, but that is because some one is watching them every minute, do not use blankets at home

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They really don't do enough basic education for new parents. I actually complained to one of the nurses about the shaken baby videos we watched. It's a really bad video, and I think will cause as many problems as it will help. They never tell you what is OK to do with DC. They make it sound like any movement at all will kill the baby. Rocking the baby to sleep, or burping the baby is fine, but according to the video, it may kill your child.... (at least that's how I think some new parents may interpret it).

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Re: Newborns and Blankets

I am one of those stories you were referring too and I am not a new mom.

My blanket/quilt was a wrap around with a tie and I never thought she could get underneath it when it was tied.

I know no blankets but this was different.

Just felt the need to defend myself. Carry on

Re: Newborns and Blankets

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by marycpa

Does anyone know what size do sleep sacks go up to?..

I believe XL -- that's what Jack is in now and he has plenty of room. So, your boys def. have a long ways to go in them!

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Re: Newborns and Blankets

i agree....at 21 months I am just starting to allow DS to use a blanket...but i do go to bed praying nothing bad will happen

Re: Newborns and Blankets

Posted by 5ofClubs

I am one of those stories you were referring too and I am not a new mom.

My blanket/quilt was a wrap around with a tie and I never thought she could get underneath it when it was tied.

I know no blankets but this was different.

Just felt the need to defend myself. Carry on

Re: Newborns and Blankets

Posted by CrankyPants

Posted by 5ofClubs

I am one of those stories you were referring too and I am not a new mom.

My blanket/quilt was a wrap around with a tie and I never thought she could get underneath it when it was tied.

I know no blankets but this was different.

Just felt the need to defend myself. Carry on

If it's a sleep sack or a miracle blanket I think that is different.

Re: Newborns and Blankets

We just started giving DD a blanket and she is 18 months(they say not before a year) and even then I was nervous.

I was always nervous with the straight swaddle blankets too, we used them but they made me very nervous. I may have to rethink that for future kids.

Re: Newborns and Blankets

Posted by Diana1215

Posted by CrankyPants

Posted by 5ofClubs

I am one of those stories you were referring too and I am not a new mom.

My blanket/quilt was a wrap around with a tie and I never thought she could get underneath it when it was tied.

I know no blankets but this was different.

Just felt the need to defend myself. Carry on

If it's a sleep sack or a miracle blanket I think that is different.

Yes - I don't consider swaddling blankets or sleepsacks blankets dangerous. The things I saw yesterday were full on quilts draped over the babies. Also - one of them was not a first time mom so you would hope that she would have known.

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At my hospital in NJ, we did not watch a shaken baby video. Every night when the night baby nurse came in, she went over parent education stuff with me (which I knew already because I have an older child- but I thought it was a great idea). They covered the blanket in the crib thing, which was good and not to shake the baby, etc. She had this checklist of stuff she had to go over with all of her new moms.

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I think they definitely should have. When I was at the hospital they had a channel with baby care suggestions and tips which I thought was helpful.

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Up to what age are they not supposed to use blankets?? My DD is 20 months and has a baby blanket that she uses. She loves it and has nicknamed it her "pretty". I don't think she could sleep without it!