Babies should not sleep with a blanket until they are at least 12 months old. The American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts recommend waiting till about this age because loose blankets can pose serious risks such as accidental suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) during an infant's first year. Some experts suggest waiting until 18 months or even older when the baby has the motor skills to move the blanket off their face safely. In the meantime, alternatives like swaddles, wearable sleep sacks, or layering clothing are recommended to keep the baby warm without the risk of loose bedding in the crib.
Once the baby can reliably move blankets away from their face and change positions, blankets can be slowly introduced starting with supervised nap times before progressing to nighttime use. It's important to ensure the blanket is breathable and used safely if introduced.
