We all think of toddler blankets as soft, cuddly, warm and comforting.  They are!  They are absolutely an essential item to have when there's a baby around.  Newborn babies need to be swaddled to feel loved and nurtured.  Blankets have a way of making children feel warm and safe.  No one would guess that a blanket could pose any kind of danger.  Guess again!

According to the American SIDS Institute, soft mattresses and heavy coverings such as blankets, can contribute to the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  It is recommended that babies sleep only on a firm surface and with no covering, pillows, toys, positioning devices or anything else in the crib with them.  This prevents suffocation and overheating while sleeping.  It is also recommended that they sleep on their backs.  Dress your babies in enough clothing to keep them warm without having to use a blanket or other cover.

The number of cases of SIDS in the U.S. has dropped dramatically since 1983.  Research and new discoveries are making us more aware of the causes of SIDS so we can better prevent it from happening in our homes.  But there are still as many as 2500 deaths related to SIDS in the United States each year, and that is 2500 too many if you ask me.

There is a well designed alternative for infants on the market called sleep sacks.  Sleep sacks are wearable baby blankets that prevent the risk of entanglement, smothering & suffocation.  Sleep sacks keep baby warm and cozy while removing the danger of blankets winding up under or over the baby's head.

Sleep sacks can be found at any major retailer that carries baby necessities.  They come in a variety of adorable patterns, colors, and types of fabric.  You can purchase thinner sleep sacks in warmer weather and cuddly fleece during the cooler months.  There are even patterns that you can buy or find online to make your own sleep sack.

Infants love the feeling of being securely wrapped in a stretchy blanket like a cocoon.  This is called swaddling.  Swaddling is very helpful for babies with colic.  Some sleep sack manufacturers have taken their products to a whole new level and are now offering swaddling sleep sacks.  These sacks have flaps that fold across babies mid section and fasten.  You now have the option to swaddle baby without having bulky blankets in their sleeping area.  This is a much safer alternative.

Another danger of swaddling with a regular blanket is the risk of hip dysplasia.  Although the risk is minimal, studies have shown that newborns that are wrapped swaddling style in a regular blanket with their legs extended have a higher risk for hip dysplasia because their hip and leg joints can't move freely.  The swaddling sleep sack cuddles baby's torso while leaving their legs free to move.

While there are risks associated with using baby blankets for sleeping, they are still a necessity.  So don't discard the standard baby shower gift just yet.