Baby blankets with animal heads are usually made of a special breathable fabric and are attached to a doll without any parts, which are soft, washable and does not shed hair. Many moms may have heard of it, but they have doubts whether it is workable or if their babies will not like it. In fact, baby blankets with animal heads can indeed help the babies learn to calm themselves and fall asleep, which is a veritable “sleep artifact.”
Babies can hold it in their hand kneading, pulling and even biting with their mouths to get a sense of security and meet their psychological needs. Security blankets can generally be used from the moment your baby is born, and older babies can also use it. As for how to use it for him, let’s talk about it below.
First, let the baby adapt to the existence of security blankets
It takes a while for your babies to get used to the baby blankets with animal heads, usually anywhere from 2 weeks to a few months. If you want him to quickly adapt to the security blankets, moms can try the following methods.
1. Before letting the babies touch the security blankets, moms can place a security blanket on herself for a few days, so that babies will have a familiar taste and make it easier to accept, but do not drizzle breast milk on the blanket, which will breed bacteria.
2. Place a security blanket between you and your baby, when daily interacting with him, such as walking or feeding him, so that they can gradually adapt to the existence of the blanket.
3. Try to use a security blanket to play with your baby and slowly close to his face, hands and body for intimate contact, or pretend to let the blanket talk to your baby, so that they can establish a relationship.
4. When the babies can’t grasp things, just need to put the security blankets next to him to get him used to the existence of the blanket. Let him practice grasping the blanket when he is awake.
Since not every baby will like a baby blanket with animal heads, so if parents find that their babies simply won’t accept a blanket at this stage and don’t force them, he may slowly accept or like other alternative comforters over time.
Second, precautions for using security blanket
1. Clean the security blanket in time
When the babies uses the security blankets, there may be saliva or spilt milk left on it, moms should timely wash it, ensure that the blanket is clean, so as not to breed bacteria. Washing blanket more can make your babies enjoy the smell of clean blankets.
Moms can refer to the washing method on the label of the blanket when cleaning it, generally it can be machine washed and dried before use. In order to make it easier to change and prevent loss, you can buy an extra piece.
2. Pay attention to safety when using
To avoid the choking risk of a baby with a security blanket, mothers can do this below:
First, after your baby has gone to sleep with a security blanket, remove the blanket and store it in a safe place without interrupting his sleep.
Second, tie a knot in a blanket so it’s solid and won’t cover your baby’s face.
Third, when your baby is awake during the day, teach him how to pull a blanket off his face.
3. Don’t just find a cloth or doll to replace a security blanket
The security blanket will be made of better material than ordinary cloth and dolls, and the production requirements will be higher. The dolls attached to the security blanket will also be made of the same material as the blanket, without any small parts, such as eyes and noses that can be removed. Casual cloth or dolls may be a safety hazard for your babies.
4. Don’t let your baby rely too much on security blanket
Although the probability of a baby being overly dependent on a baby blanket with animal heads is small, it is still possible. Parents should try to only allow their babies to use a security blanket when they are sleeping at home and do not carry it with them at all times.
Or you can also prepare a few more security blankets, at different stages to use for the baby, to avoid him on the same blanket have too much dependence.
Even if the baby with a security blanket, parents cannot be lazy, because the company of parents can give the baby the most adequate sense of security.