wraez

I know you shouldn't cover an infant with a blanket, cover, of any kind but they can be used under the baby.

A quilt for an infant can be used to decorate the baby's room until it is a toddler.

dixiechunk

I, too, survived baby and childhood without the new "rules". And I know it seems extreme and nitpicking but SIDS deaths have declined since word went out to put babies on their backs instead of tummies, and since bumper pads and quilts and pillows became no-no's. But even if these extreme measures only save one child's life we should resist being naysayers. If that one baby who dies is your own even improved statistics mean nothing, you have lost your heart and soul. I still make baby quilts but only for those parents I know will follow the "rules".

jlm5419

I crocheted baby blankets for all my grandchildren. Because of the looseness of the design, there was no way it would suffocate them.

Now that they're older, they're all getting quilts from Grammy.
:-D

MissJMac

No thick batting!!! Fire retardant fabrics only!! A thin quilt is the key for newborns, achieved by close quilting and low loft fabrics for top, batting, and backing. Maybe a flannel or cotton batting. The danger is that a newborn could easily bury his head in the quilt and suffocate (even though most doctors tell new mothers today NOT to lay new babies on their stomach).
How about suggesting that new mommy let baby sleep on top of the quilt (not under it) until he's old enough to flip over at will.
Save the big fluffy quilt for later.

Stitchit123

I never heard this-- My son came home from the hospital wrapped in one and so has all his babies The only good advice I got was if your hot[or cold ]so is the baby and on windy days keep their ears covered to prevent earaches

caspharm

As long as it's the right size, day one is fine. My old guild made quilts for the NICU at the local children's hospital, which were sent home with the babies.

KarenR

I did not use quilts with my children when they were in the cribs. Just footed or sack sleepers. I would lay them on it for tummy time and play time. My 5 year old just had to give up his SANTA quilt - beyond repair. He gave it too his lamb to lay on(yes you read right) Then asked me to make him one.

Mattee

In NICUs they're still not usually used to cover for warmth. They're laid over isolettes to block light and provide decoration. They also do things in NICUs that you shouldn't at home because the babies are monitored 24/7.

madamekelly

The only caution I have ever heard about babies and quilts, is to never put a large quilt in bed with them, for obvious reasons, so just make a little one to start?

caspharm

You're right. I meant that the quilts are sent home with the babies after they are released. I am sure the nurses give directions on how soon they can use the quilts for cover.