However, there are other methods to help with soothing to give that fourth trimester comfort that don’t carry any risk for the baby.įinally, overheating is thought to contribute to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), so all of the experts worry that these weighted sleep sacks may contribute to overheating. “If a baby manages to flip over and then, because of the weight, they are unable to flip back, I worry about them suffocating,” Posner says.ĭaniel Ganjian, MD, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, California, says one reason why a baby may sometimes sleep better while wearing a weighted sleep sack is that it feels like they’re in the womb again, allowing a newborn to experience a simulated “fourth-trimester of pregnancy.” She also has concerns about weighted sleep sacks if the baby can flip over. “My primary concern about weighted sleep sacks is that they may inhibit breathing in infants,” Posner says. Gina Posner, MD, a pediatrician at MemorialCare Orange Coast Medical Center in Fountain Valley, California, says that while a weighted sleep sack may help baby sleep better, the problem is whether or not the benefits outweigh the risks. So, if traditional sleep sacks are considered safe by the AAP, you might be wondering if weighted sleep sacks are also safe to use when putting baby to bed, especially if you want them to sleep better. “Many sleep sacks zip easily over an infant’s clothing, which keeps their arms free, while the sack part over their torso, legs, and feet helps to keep them warm and from moving around too much during nap time or at night,” she explains. Katherine Williamson, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Mission Hospital Mission Viejo and president of the Orange County chapter of the AAP, says parents will often use a sleep sack to help keep their baby cozy and warm. According to the AAP, sleep sacks are a much safer choice than blankets. If loose blankets are out, how do parents keep their baby warm? One option, say some experts, are sleep sacks. Coupled with the risks to younger babies, you shouldn’t use a weighted blanket for your child under the age of 2.Īre weighted sleep sacks safe for babies? While there may be some perceived benefits to using a weighted blanket, there isn’t adequate evidence to show they dramatically improve sleep. They also reported that their children were calmer when using a weighted blanket.Īgain, it’s important to note that this study looked at sleep for older children. However, they did find that both kids and parents favored the weighted blanket, with parents rating their child’s sleep as better when using a weighted blanket. In addition to a diagnosis of autism, they also had severe sleep problems.Īfter a 2-week period of sleeping with different blankets, researchers discovered that the use of a weighted blanket did not help children with ASD sleep longer, fall asleep faster, or wake less often during the night. Participants ranged in age from 5 to 16 years old. However, it’s essential to note that the babies in this study were monitored in a NICU around the clock, so parents should not assume a weighted blanket is safe for home use.Īnother study looked at the effectiveness of weighted blankets for sleep in children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). A small study with continuously monitored neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) babies found that a weighted blanket may help those with neonatal abstinence syndrome (NAS). Weighted blankets are used with older children and in very select settings for babies. With that in mind, parents should never put a baby to bed with a blanket, quilt, loose bedding, or other items that could cause harm. Before we take a deep dive into weighted sleep sacks, it’s important to point out that sleeping with blankets, including weighted blankets, is not safe for babies for at least the first year.Īccording to the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP), soft objects such as quilts, blankets, or loose bedding can obstruct an infant’s nose and mouth and put them at risk of suffocation, entrapment, and strangulation.
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