None in the crib: newborns sleep with no loose blankets; use a snug swaddle or a wearable blanket sized for age and room temperature.
Blankets For A Newborn: How Many Belong In Sleep?
Short answer for crib sleep: zero loose blankets. A clear, flat sleep space with a fitted sheet keeps breathing free and cuts tangles. Loose layers raise the chance of head covering and rebreathing. A newborn can stay warm with a well fitted swaddle or a wearable blanket designed for infants. If your family still uses a light blanket, stick to one, tuck it firmly at chest height, and place baby with feet at the foot of the cot. More than one blanket stacks heat and can work loose.
Newborn Sleep Covers At A Glance
| Option | When It’s Okay | Safety Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Swaddle (thin, breathable) | First weeks to months until any rolling attempt | Back sleep only; keep hips loose; stop once rolling starts; avoid weighted styles |
| Wearable blanket / sleep sack | From birth when sized for weight and length | No sleeves that bind; correct tog for room; keeps face clear; safer than loose blankets |
| Light cellular blanket | Only if used, and tucked under mattress | One layer max; chest-height tuck; “feet to foot” positioning to prevent head cover |
Why Zero Loose Blankets Is Safer
Soft items can shift over a tiny face and trap exhaled air. Public guidance says to keep blankets, pillows, bumpers, and soft toys out of the sleep area. That keeps airways open and reduces the chance of overheating. A clear cot looks plain, yet it is the safer setup for night and naps.
Swaddle Basics That Matter
Swaddling helps many newborns settle. Use a thin, breathable wrap or a purpose made swaddle with a snug chest and free hip movement. Lay baby on the back for every sleep and keep the wrap below the shoulders so fabric never rides over the mouth. As soon as baby shows signs of rolling, move on from swaddling. A two piece outfit plus a wearable blanket is the easy next step.
Wearable Blankets And Tog Sense
Wearable blankets (sleep sacks) come in tog ratings, which reflect warmth. Lower tog suits warmer rooms; higher tog suits cooler rooms. Pick the size by weight and length so the neck and arm openings sit close, leaving no gap near the face. Zip designs that open from the bottom help with quick changes at night. Avoid any weighted product.
Room Temperature And Layers
Most babies sleep well in a cool room with steady layers. Aim for a simple base: short sleeve or long sleeve bodysuit, then add a swaddle or a sleep sack that matches the room. Touch the chest or back of the neck to judge warmth. Cool and dry is fine; sweaty or hot means remove a layer. Cold hands are common and not a good gauge.
How To Set The Cot Correctly
Use a firm, flat mattress with a tight fitted sheet. Place baby on the back for every sleep. Keep the cot clear of spare blankets, toys, wedges, pods, or positioners. Share a room, not a bed, for the early months to make checks easy. If a blanket is used, use one light cellular layer, tuck it on three sides under the mattress, and set baby feet to foot. Keep the top edge at chest height so the face stays clear.
Signs Your Baby Is Too Warm Or Too Cold
Check the chest, not the hands. Signs of too much heat include a sweaty torso, damp hair, flushed skin, heat rash, or fast breathing. Signs of being too cold include a cool chest and grayish skin tone. Adjust a single layer and recheck in ten to fifteen minutes. A room thermometer helps you spot slow changes at night.
Common Mistakes To Skip
- Stacking two or more blankets. One loose layer can shift; more layers add risk and heat.
- Covering the head. Hats indoors trap heat; leave the head uncovered.
- Using a pram quilt or adult throw as bedding. Thick loft blocks airflow.
- Letting straps press on bulky layers in a car seat. Dress light for travel and add a cover on top once buckled, then remove that cover indoors.
- Keeping bumpers or plush toys in the cot. A plain cot is the safer cot.
When Can A Blanket Enter The Crib?
Soft items in the sleep area raise risk through the first year. Once past the first year and walking or close to it, a small light blanket may be used if desired. Even then, keep the space simple and keep any cover below the armpits. Many families stick with sleep sacks well into toddler life since they stay on through the night.
Swaddle To Sack: A Handy Transition
Watch for the first roll attempt, arm thrusts, or frequent loosening of the wrap. Switch to an arms out sleep sack at that point. Start with one arm free for a night or two if you like, then both arms out. Keep the same bedtime cues so the change feels familiar: dim lights, calm feed, brief burp, then down on the back while drowsy.
Travel, Naps Out, And Caregivers
Sleep on the go calls for the same rules. A flat bassinet insert is fine; an inclined seat is not for sleep. In a pram carrycot, keep layers light and the hood partly open for airflow. Share your setup with grandparents or sitters so they match your routine. Write the room temp and layers on a card near the cot for quick checks.
Answers To The Big Question By Scenario
Night Sleep In A Cot
Use zero loose blankets. Pick a swaddle or a sleep sack matched to room temp. Check the chest after ten minutes and adjust if needed.
Day Naps In A Bassinet
Same rule: zero loose blankets. Light swaddle early on, then a sleep sack. Keep the nap space near you so you can see and hear baby.
If Family Uses A Blanket
Limit to one light cellular layer, tucked under the mattress with feet to foot. Keep the top edge at chest level and ensure the face stays clear. Switch to a sleep sack if the blanket works loose.
Trusted Guidance You Can Read
Safe sleep advice from public health teams is clear: clear cot, back sleep, firm surface, room share, no soft bedding. For full details on safe setups and why this matters, see the CDC safe sleep page. For room temperature and tog tips, the NHS Start for Life guide is clear and handy for parents.
Room Temperature Layer Guide
The chart below gives a plain starting point for matching layers to common room temps. Use it as a guide, then tweak to your baby.
| Room Temp | Base + Cover | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 24–27°C (75–80°F) | Cotton bodysuit + 0.5 tog sleep sack | No swaddle in heat; use light fabrics |
| 20–24°C (69–73°F) | Bodysuit + 1.0 tog sleep sack | Add thin pants if baby runs cool |
| 16–20°C (61–68°F) | Bodysuit + 2.5 tog sleep sack | Or bodysuit + footed sleeper + light sack |
| <16°C (<61°F) | Footed sleeper + 2.5 tog sack | Warm the room if you can; skip space heaters near cot |
Fine Tuning Warmth At Night
Once down for the night, small checks work better than big changes. If baby feels a touch warm at the chest, unzip the sack a few inches and wait. If baby feels cool, add socks or switch to a footed romper at the next wake. Keep feeds calm and lights low so sleep pressure stays strong. If a leak calls for a full outfit swap, match the prior layers so the next stretch feels the same.
Keep a spare sack near the cot so night swaps stay quick, calm, and easy tonight.
Quick Setup Checklist
- Back to sleep on a firm, flat mattress with a fitted sheet.
- No loose blankets in the cot; pick a swaddle or sleep sack.
- Match tog to room temp; start light, add or remove one layer as needed.
- Stop swaddling at the first sign of rolling.
- Keep the head and face clear; skip hats indoors.
- Room share for easy feeds and quicker checks.
- Teach every caregiver the same simple routine.