Bevsie

Hi,

I was a daycare provider for 34 years and that is true about quilts and blankets on babies. I, however, used quilts all the time for tummy time or over the car seat, in the buggy, etc.

Lots of new rules and regulations for almost everything we all grew up using or doing.....funny we're all here!

Make the quilt and make it lighter, I just made my great neice one and used polyester batting so it's lighter and she is using it. Not sure about if it's in the crib or not.

Totally up to the new parents and it's an awesome gift.

Bev

Mattee

To answer your questions, the
American Academy of
Pediatrics suggests that nothing soft be in a child's crib, meaning quilt, blanket, bumper pads, stuffed animals, etc. Any parent should check with his or her pediatrician with specific questions. Both suffocation and overheating can be dangers for babies.

As for flammability, some battings are available that are coated with flame-retardant chemicals. However, these same chemicals are highly toxic and widely recognized as some of the most dangerous to which our children are exposed. Parents need to make the determination between whether they are more worried about fire or toxic chemicals. However, since the quilt shouldn't be in bed with the child anyway (as per your first question), I always go for the non-flame retardant batting. Also, polyester will melt in a fire, so I always go with all-cotton batting.

Mattee

You know, my father has never worn a seatbelt, and he's never been injured in a car wreck. Seatbelts are uncomfortable; no more for me.

My mother smoked when pregnant with my brother, and he's fine. I'm sick of scare tactics. I'm going to take up smoking.

My parents used to ride in cars on their mother's laps, with no car seat, and they were fine. I won't live my life in fear; no car seats for my kids.

In case you can't tell, I'm being highly sarcastic in an attempt to make a point.

Whenever this topic is discussed, there's a lot of "we all lived through it" opinions offered. A lot of people live through a lot of things, but that doesn't mean that we should ignore the advice of professionals (pediatricians) when it comes to the care of our children. Children do not need quilts in their cribs. Doctors advise against it because it can be dangerous. So how could anyone who loves their child, grandchild, etc, still put a quilt in with a baby? I just don't get it.

Thank you to all of you who follow the advice of pediatricians, and who follow your children's wishes when it comes to your grandchildren's care. Quilts are great for tummy time, play mats, and when outside.

Flying_V_Goddess

I finished my first quilt for my God son five months before he was born and way before any of us found out my friend was having a boy. So there was a quilt ready for him when he came out of the womb. It became his favorite (until he got into superheroes and got Batman and Spiderman fleece throws).

I think these new "rules" are stupid. Makes it seem like any of us or babies we made quilts for are miracles because we somehow thrived with having blankets and quilts. Has any quilter here found that the quilt they made for a child ended up harming that child because the parents broke the new "rules"? And where is the evidence to back up these new rules? I want to see some research, darn it! Yeah, there's probably a few things to watch out for like not wrapping your baby in 10 layers of quilt or wrapping it around their little head, but that's just common sense.

Go make that quilt and don't worry so much about the rules some idiot came up with. The kid will be fine.

If you're still worried about flamibility, off the top of my head, I think Dharma Trading has a product to treat fabric with to make it more flame resistant.

JulieTN

First of all, I am glad for yuor honest concern. But babies have had quilts are long as quilts have been made. You do not have a make a HUGE quilt for an infant. I am new-born sizes about 30 x 30" -- just enough to lay over them or use in a carrier.

As far as weight? There are good UNFLAMABLE batting to use that are very safe. In doubt? Talk with the Mom and ask her what she thinks.

Julie

justwannaquilt

This is why I make "baby quilts" 48x60. I never used blankets in bed with my kids nor did I use bumpers. my youngest still doesn't have a pillow in his bed, however he does have a blanket even thoguht he sleeps ON it not under it!

I agree with others that say if you have ever lost a child or a child that was close to you due to "crib death" you would think twice that they are "crazy" and "you lived through it" You might have lived through it but your friends brother or sister might not have. So I guess as long as its not one of "OUR" children then it doesn't matter!
Personally after losing a child if they said I had to sleep standing on my head while drinking water through my nose to keep my child from dying in the middle of the night while sleeping guess where I could be found! And no I am not a "crazy extremist".

bakermom

No one is saying the guidelines shouldn't be followed. But that doesn't mean we should stop making quilts for babies.

It's the parents decision how to use them.

jeaninmaine

I don't think it's a matter of it being wrong to make a quilt for a child, I think it's wonderful. I don't think that every child that uses a quilt will have a problem. But even if one in a thousand or even a million does, what if it's your child/grandchild that is that one.

Even if it's considered SID you'd still be wondering if you'd been wrong not to warn the mother about using the quilt in the crib too early. I was raised Catholic, I feel guilty about everything so I wouldn't want a quilt of mine anywhere near my son's children (if he had any) if I thought there was the very SLIGHTEST chance that it could be a problem.

justwannaquilt - Can you tell I'd be standing on my head drinking water through my nose with you.

gunny148

All mine were covered in a Quilt as babies, i'm sure like most of us on here...time has changed everything.....bummer

Weenween