Baby Blankets - The Secret to a Baby's Sleep

Newborn babies often receive many baby-blankets as gifts. For many babies and toddlers, this blanket becomes an essential part of their childhood. This cuddly and much-loved item also saves many a parent from sleepless nights or stress-filled outings.

During a child's early years, the security blanket almost seems to be part of the family. Packing the nappy bag for an outing? Into the bag must go the snacks, water, baby rattle, bib, nappies, wet wipes.... and blankie!

Personifying their blankie increases a child’s attachment to it. With a name and personality, the blankie becomes as real as any of their friends. A little person asking for “Tazo” or “Blankie” so that they can take a nap is one of the sweetest things you can hear.

A security blanket is a comforter for the child and an assurance to the parents that, once the blanket is in hand, their baby will soon be napping. Here, we look at how to introduce a blanket to your baby.

WHY DO BABIES LOVE BLANKETS?
All babies start to experience separation anxiety when they reach approximately seven months of age. This is a natural part of the baby's development. Separation anxiety can also affect night time sleeps, causing your baby to wake up and call for you.

If you introduce a baby blanketto your little one at around three months old, they will form an attachment to something other than you to provide them with comfort. The blanket becomes an attachment object, an item that is familiar and comforting and can help the baby fall back to sleep or feel safe.

The blankie is a soft, warm, and cuddly item which smells familiar and feels nice against your baby's skin. It is also something they can become very used to regardless of where they sleep. It can make any unfamiliar place feel more like home.

Young babies who are moved around a lot, will find having something familiar, as a blanket, around them, to be comforting. This helps the infant feel more at ease regardless of where they are.

CHOOSING THE RIGHT BLANKET
Selecting the right blanket for the right season and reason is what importantly determines parents' choice of a blanket for their baby.

Key points to remember are:

Season or Climate
In the tropical and equatorial warm climates soft and thin muslin swaddles/ blankets can offer the warmth and comfort required. If you are in an air-conditioned premises, a bit thicker comforter or the flannel or fleece blankets would be suitable.

For colder climates, thick, double layered fleece blankets and warm woolen blankets are more appropriate.

Soothing qualities
The sense of touch is very important when choosing a blanket. The blanket should feel cuddly, soft and smooth. Organic fabrics like cotton that are free from chemicals, are better for both baby and the environment.

Eco-friendly options
Your baby's blanket will often be close to their face. They will be breathing with their nose and mouth held very close to the fabric. Ensure you choose a blanket that has not been treated with harsh chemicals during processing and look for prints made with water-based inks.

Buy a backup
If your baby has become extremely attached to their blankie and cannot sleep without it, what will you do if the item needs to be washed or is lost? It pays to choose a blanket which can be replaced or for which you have a back-up.

Many would certainly recommend purchasing two identical items. Having two identical security blankets offers you and your baby a great deal of peace of mind.

Once you have decided on the right security blanket, it is time to introduce the item to the child.

INTRODUCING THE BLANKET
When the baby is around three months of age, you can begin to introduce the blanket. It is recommended that soft toys and baby blankets should not be placed in the cot until the baby is seven months of age. Instead, each time you comfort your baby ensure you have the blanket over your shoulder, or cuddled with baby in your arms. The baby will gradually begin to associate the smell and feel of the blanket with the comfort that you provide.

Make sure that you also offer the blanket during cuddle times that are not associated with hunger, fear, or pain. It's important that, when you introduce the blanket, the baby be in a comfortable, happy place and mood.

The blanket should be part of everything that the parent is able to offer the child.

Soon you will discover that the baby will be soothed when you place the blanket into the bed beside them. The blanket will provide security to the child when you are not with them and become a loved bedtime buddy. It can also be very useful during car trips, sleepovers, and outings. Especially if you have multiple children, anything to help keep a baby quiet is helpful!

You will find that if you need to leave your baby with a sitter, or if you have to place the infant down to sleep in unfamiliar surroundings, they will most likely settle more easily if they have their blanket along with them. Their cuddle blanket will become a trusted friend.

COZY CUDDLY BLANKETS FROMRELAXED PARENT
Relaxed Parent offer a range of beautiful baby blankets for various seasons and occasions. The organic bamboo-cotton based muslin swaddle blankets have a soft, gentle and breathable fabric. The printing inks do not contain harsh chemicals and are not harmful to your child.

The cozier flannel receiving blankets are ideal comforters for AC rooms. The soft fabric is soothing for baby's soft skin. These blankets are easily machine washable to give you a hassle free washing experience.

Say hello to a calm and cuddly nap-time the warm double layered fleece blankets in cold weather.

Or if you're in the holiday mood for Christmas, try the Christmas Baby Blankets and introduce your child to his very own Santa or Snowman blankie.

When you talk of cuddling in a blankie, bed-time stories are inevitable. Kids enjoy those bed-time tales.Take a bed-time story book with a cuddly blanket to cover that journey from bed-time tales, through yawns, to a snug tight sleep.

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