The health of a child depends largely on the comfort and quality of sleep. In the first years of life, the child spends most of the time in bed, and the quality of it, alongside bed accessories, affects the kid’s health and mood.
One of the most important sleeping accessories is the security blanket. Choosing the right blanket gives your child the comfort needed during sleep. A child blanket has to meet several requirements, and in order to buy it, you must pay special attention to these features.
For the child to sleep deeply, it is necessary to choose with great responsibility his/her security blanket. It should be very soft and pleasant to the touch, allow air to pass, have a proper weight and ensure an appropriate temperature for the body regardless of the season.
Today, stores offer a wide range of blankets for every taste and pocket. Because of this, there are a few things you need to keep in mind before buying a kid blanket. Read on to find out about what criteria to look for in a child’s blanket.
How to Choose an Appropriate Blanket?
Several studies prove that toddlers and children attach to certain soft, fluffy objects, which bring back the comfort of being near their mothers. Sometimes it is a plush toy, other times they may love a security blanket that the child can hold or be wrapped in.
The best-weighted blankets for kids must ensure the feeling of safety and comfort, be made of qualitative materials, have appropriate dimensions and, most importantly, be resistant to jumps and pulling. However, besides these, there are several other criteria you need to take into account when choosing a blanket.
Blanket Density Can Influence Child’s Behavior
A security blanket must have a good density to keep the child warm enough even during the coldest seasons. Usually, the high-density blankets have a soft and fluffy material, pleasant to the touch – just to give the child maximum comfort. However, make sure that the fluffy, soft material is resistant and does not deteriorate when washed regularly.
The latest trend, in terms of high-density products, is represented by weighted blankets. These are special blankets that serve the comfort and relaxation of children who use them. Parents choose these items as they exert great pressure and relaxing sensory stimulation.
These have beneficial effects on children with autism or those who suffer from disorders of restless legs syndrome. In addition, these blankets may favor the relaxation of overactive kids or those who suffer from sleep disorders.
Make sure you look for high hygroscopic fibers as these absorb moisture easily and remove it quickly in the environment.
The Patterns Must Suit the Kid’s Personality.
Kids are most prone to choosing security blankets with patterns in the detriment of regular ones. Bears, flowers, funny animals and astronauts line up with favorite cartoon characters for child’s delight. Therefore, the patterns become an important design and safety criterion when choosing a child’s blanket.
It is mandatory to look for patterns carefully finished which will not irritate the delicate skin of your child.
Additionally, the patterns should be made of soft textile materials, which do not scratch the child’s skin and do not present a danger of accidental swallowing. Moreover, the applications should be resistant to washing and made of organic products, with non-toxic paints and processed without bleaching.
The Material Matters For Your Child’s Health
Depending on the purpose it serves, security blankets can be made of cotton, microfiber, fleece, flannel, wool or natural, organic fibers. Cotton products are the most common option since it is a natural material, suitable for both winter and summer, cheap, soft, which allows the skin to breathe. Moreover, it dries quickly and absorbs well.
If you have a kid with sensitive skin, you may want to opt for organic materials such as bamboo. Look for large mesh fabric to eliminate the danger of overheating, as well as choking-related danger in newborns. This extra soft and delicate material is perfect for your kid’s skin as it does not give rashes.
Most woolen blankets are made of sheep, goat or camel wool. Sheep wool is light, warm and absorbs moisture very well. The sheep’s wool warms, the body, during cold seasons, cooling it down in the warm season. These types of blankets are especially recommended for children with a weak immune system.
Fleece blankets are comfortable, very warm, and, at the same time, light-weighted. They are made of quality polyester or other synthetic fibers. Also, the fleece blanket does not retain moisture.
Microfibers are synthetic materials often used to make blankets for both children and adults. Although warm, blankets made of synthetic materials retain static energy, being a magnet for hair and dust particles. Poor quality synthetic blankets tend to wear out extremely quickly. An advantage of these materials is the reduced price.
How to Prolong the Use of Your Child’s Favorite Blanket?
To keep your child’s security blanket for a longer period, several steps must be followed:
- Follow the washing and drying instructions on the product label. The non-allergenic materials (fleece, organic, natural materials) are washed at lower temperatures in comparison to cotton.
- To postpone discoloration of the blanket, place it in a tied cloth bag when you put it in the washing machine. Thus, the blanket will not rub against the machine and the patterns do not risk to hang and detach.
- Wash it whenever necessary, following the instructions above. Since the blanket will hang or be often dragged on the floor it is mandatory to wash it often.
- Dry the blanket in a place away from direct sunlight, thus avoiding premature discoloration of the material.
Final Words
The blanket, if carefully chosen, can become the best “friend” of a child. The one who will help him fall asleep faster or calm him when feeling anxious. Given its importance, there are several characteristics to be fulfilled by an appropriate security blanket for kids:
- Must allow good airflow;
- Must have high hygroscopicity, absorb moisture easily and remove it quickly in the environment;
- It must be light-weighted;
- Correspond to the season;
- Made of non-allergenic materials;
- Easy to clean and dry;
- Have a proper size.
All blankets, regardless of material, should be cleaned and ventilated regularly so that these do not become a danger for your child’s health.
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