Are Fleece Blankets Safe For Babies?
Can you claim you went shopping for a baby if you did not purchase a blanket or blankets as the case maybe? Without blankets, how could you hope to provide the comfort and feeling of security your child needs during sleep? Blankets help to relieve stress and anxiety.
And we don’t even realize our babies feel this way. In addition, they can be used to regulate your baby’s temperature.
But even with all these benefits, blankets can be very dangerous and life-threatening if we don’t use them correctly. Every year, thousands of babies die out of the blue, and most times the causes are related to suffocation, entrapment, or strangulation.
And blankets can increase the possibility of any of them occurring. With this at the back of your mind, does the blanket worth the risk? Let’s find out.
What Are Fleece Blankets?
Before we go further let’s take some time to understand the delineation of fleece blankets. Because there aren’t many people out there who have an ample understanding of what it really entails.
The confusion is caused by the definition of the word “fleece”. It refers to an outer covering, or skin that is made of wool for example a sheep’s skin.
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So when people hear the phrase fleece blanket, they think it’s a material made of wool. When in the actual sense, fleece blankets have nothing to do with wool. The fabric of this blanket is gotten from polyester and the texture of fleece blankets feels more pleasurable than other blankets.
So, in actuality, a fleece blanket is a protective covering created from an artificial fabric combination known as polyester. Now that we’ve cleared the air, to the next question.
How Safe Are Fleece Blankets For Babies?
The short answer is not always. Here’s why fleece blankets are not porous due to the nature of the fabric used in their production.
The polyester is tightly woven together, so tight that not even air can pass through. Although this feature makes it an ideal choice for those who are hoping to use it in the winter season.
However, a fleece blanket can overheat your baby and this might lead to SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) or death due to suffocation.
In addition, it can irritate your baby’s skin and cause a rash to develop if they have sensitive skin. If your child is below the age of twelve months, it is advised to keep all blankets away from their reach.
But if your child has come of age, blankets made of wool and cotton are better choices. Because they are breathable and they can regulate temperature.
Is Fleece Too Warm For A Baby?
Due to the material utilized in the fabrication of fleece clothing presently and the method of production, they can be too warm for a baby.
Even in cold climates, fleece materials can cause your baby to overheat, because it does not allow for a safe passage of air. And overheating is linked with Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
According to Bruce Epstein M.D, a pediatrician from Florida, “babies sleep deeply when they’re hot, making them difficult to arouse, which may increase the risk of SIDS.”
What Blankets Are Safe For Babies?
Generally, any material that will let the baby’s skin breathe a certain amount of air. Blankets entail fabrics that are not so firmly entwined. During cold seasons, most parents plump for fleece or other synthetic materials.
Because of the supposed notion that they are the best choice to keep babies warm due to the polyester used in their production.
As counter-intuitive as this sounds, research reports that more babies overheat during winter than in summer. And relying on fleece materials to keep babies warm is part of the problem.
In cold climates, there are other methods to employ if you want to regulate your baby’s temperature. Monitoring and employing several regulatory methods to control the temperature of their room is one of them.
Cotton, wool, and flannel materials are more suitable alternatives for blankets, pajamas, and other baby clothing. Stay away from fleece or other synthetic materials. The right materials will cost more but they are worth it.
Are Fleece Blankets Safe For Babies? Generally?
They are potentially dangerous to babies due to the material and mode of production as they can cause your baby to overheat.
But for adults, teenagers, and children above the age of three. They are a great source of comfort. Fleece blankets are smooth, soft, fuzzy, and quite warm. They are without equal when it comes to protecting body heat during cold climates.
They help to improve the quality of sleep for those who are sickened by stress and anxiety. Because fleece blankets ensure that the same amount of weight is distributed around the body and thus play a role in calming the nervous system.
It gives a relaxing warm hug kind of feeling to its users and that makes it very restful. One downside to it is that if you don’t wash them properly, they might pill or shed all over the place. And there are many counterfeits or lookalikes but they shouldn’t be hard to find if you check in the right stores.
Is Fleece Non-Toxic?
The fleece was initially made to be a light replacement for wool and other clothing materials. They thought about clothing that would be able to provide the desired features in a lighter version. And for a while, people have appreciated their efforts to create something better.
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You can tell from the way its level of popularity has surpassed other materials that were there before it. But a colloquy between Maria Westerbos and Antoinette Hertsenberg which happened recently on a Dutch talk show has struck a little fear in the hearts of those in possession of fleece materials.
At some point, Maria Westerbos argued that users should rid themselves of the material. But why was this wonderful material being viewed as a potential threat? The answer is similar to the same reason it could overheat a baby.
The polyester used to fabricate it and the way it was produced. Being a factitious fabric, polyester is one of the hazards posing a threat to human health and the environment at large.
Fleece clothing is manufactured in such a way that its fibers are very short thus making it possible for it to come off easily.
I have already stated that washing fleece blankets can cause them to shed all over the place. Wearing fleece clothing does just about the same thing too. When someone around us breathes in the microfibers that are traveling in the air from fleece clothing. It can cause health problems.
The microfibers (toxins) emanating from fleece clothing is also harmful to aquatic organisms. But there are methods to reduce fiber emission. Using lighter washing methods and adding a microfiber filter to the water anytime you wash it can reduce the microfibers by about 90%.
When Should Babies Wear A Fleece Sleep Sack?
That would depend on some factors like the weather and the kind of skin your child has. We have already established that fleece isn’t a breathable material due to how it’s made. In some extremely cold climates where the thermostat in the room can’t seem to do its work properly.
A fleece sleep sack can be used to provide the right temperature for your baby to sleep. The more temperature decreases, the harder it becomes for your baby to get a good night’s rest. In such cases, fleece sacks can be used if other materials fail to help. However, during hot seasons, fleece is a big no.
You need materials that are breathable like cotton and wool. So, it depends on the temperature of the room and other factors affecting it.
The number one threat we are trying to avoid is overheating. Just so you know, the right room temperature for a baby is 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit or 20 to 22 degrees Celsius.
What Should My Baby Wear Under A Fleece Sleep Sack?
In a cold climate, your baby should wear a pajama that is made of porous fabric. Not too porous but just a bit so that tiny air can pass through. I don’t recommend using a fleece pajama under a fleece sleeping sack because neither is breathable.
There is a general rule of thumb that parents should try out different kinds of pajamas and find out the one that they are most comfortable in.
When they do, they should get one of the same kind for their baby. Although this has not been scientifically proven, I can tell it works for most biological parents because it helps them find out what kind of pajamas their baby’s skin can tolerate.
Some babies are sensitive to certain types of pajamas. For example, if certain pajamas are too hot for you then there is every possibility that they will be too hot for your baby.
Can Babies Wear Fleece Pyjamas In Summer?
I’d say no. Fleece is mostly employed to keep babies warm. But in this case, the temperature is already warm. During summer, you should go for breathable materials that will allow your baby to get some air, also you may have to reduce the number of layers of clothing your baby sleeps in.
I recommend using 100% cotton fabrics from start to finish. Whenever you are dressing your baby for sleep always remember overheating.
Overheating is one of the factors responsible for Sudden Infant Death (SIDS) in children. Do not bundle your baby up in too much clothing as this can threaten the life of your child.
Sweating is a strong indicator that the baby isn’t getting enough air. Apart from these life-threatening situations, a heat rash might occur if you overdress your baby during summer.
Those areas that are usually sweaty might begin to develop redness and itchiness if left unattended. Fleece pajamas should not be used during summer.
Below are some extra tips to ensure that your baby doesn’t get too hot during summer.
- Use The Right Clothes:
Just as I’ve mentioned before, ensure that you use the right materials when clothing your baby. Summer is a time to go for light and breathable materials that will make certain their skin pores get air. And avoid overdressing.
- Control Room Temperature:
As adults, it becomes very hard to cool off when our temperature hits eighty degrees. If it is so hard for adults, how difficult will babies find it? Ensure that your baby is always indoors whenever the temperature is high outside and the room temperature should not exceed seventy-two degrees.
- Keep Them Dehydrated At All Times:
During summer, there are different indicators that might signal dehydration. You have to be very observant. Though they can indicate something else, restlessness, warm skin, face flushing or sweat dripping down their foreheads are also signs of dehydration.
Babies under the age of six months must not drink water so you have to increase their fluid intake by at least 40%. You might complain of having to change many wet diapers. Yes, that should be the case during summer.
- Bathe Them More:
Bathing your baby more during summer will make them comfortable and if you bathe them before they sleep. They will enjoy that sleep better. If their skin is always warm, giving them frequent baths helps them to cool down. But don’t use cold water, the water should be lukewarm.
Pour some on the inverse side of your elbow to check the temperature before you proceed.
Are Fleece Blankets Safe For Babies? – Conclusion.
I hope this article was helpful in clearing most of your questions about fleece materials.
- Fleece blankets are not the best choice when shopping for baby blankets.
- The idea behind their creation is great nonetheless but I recommend them for children, teenagers, and adults.
Below are some facts you should have at the back of your mind.
- You should wait until your child is at least 12 months before you buy a blanket.
- Fleece blankets are made of polyester, not wool.
- Fleece blankets are not always safe for car babies, especially during summer.
- Ensure that you regulate the temperature of your baby’s room.
- During summer, go for light and breathable materials.
Thank you and good luck.
