Why no duvets?

[frioct3]

I'm about to switch my baby from his moses basket beside my bed to in bed with my husband and I.  I've heard that you aren't supposed to use duvets when bedsharing, and are to use multiple thin blankets instead.  I love my duvet and am not looking forward to giving it up!  I can't figure out WHY this is the recommendation though.  I would think that keeping all blankets away from babies face is important, I'm not sure why it would matter what type of bedding is used.

Can some smart mama's please explain?

TIA

[fruitfulmomma]

We use comforters and have with 6 kids. I sleep with my hand out, keeping them down around babies waist.

[Banana731]

We use one too. I keep the blanket by my waist and the lo's tucked into my arm until there are big enough move around on their own. When they get to the age where they will repeatedly pull a blanket up over their heads an off again because it's fun, I don't worry so much about where the blanket is anymore.

[Banana731]

Fwiw, the reasoning is that you use smaller multiple blankets so there is one for each person on the bed, then there isn't a chance of someone shifting the large duvet in a way that inadvertently covers the baby.

[skycheattraffic]

One idea is to put baby in a sleep sack and keep duvet off of him. He will be covered and warm and you can tuck the duvet under you on that side.

[tiqa]

Originally Posted by Banana731 

We use one too. I keep the blanket by my waist and the lo's tucked into my arm until there are big enough move around on their own.

That.

When #2 was born in early February ('08) we lived in New England and didn't have heat in our bedroom.  It wasn't, like, FREEZING in our bedroom, but it was definitely COLD.  We definitely needed warm blankets for all of us.  A thin one or no blanket wasn't an option.

[chel]

Agree, lots of odd rules but not a lot of reasons.
The no duvet rule is probably to limit the amount of material a newborn can get tangled in. That being said, some duvets fit better than other.
Also consider the weight of the covers. Thin covers are probably lighter than thicker, but there are some warm blankets that are lightweight.

For very cold nights I use either a corn filled heating pad or a throw size electric blanket that goes from my toes to my waist

[katelove]

There are a couple of reasons for the "no duvet" rule. One is to do with the puffy, unwieldiness of them which makes it more likely for a tiny baby to be covered over but the main reason is overheating. With a duvet it is either on or off you. With several thinner blankets you can adjust the amount of warmth by adding or removing layers to maintain the right temperature.


Which are the rules you think don't have a reason? I just had a look at the SIDS and Kids safe bed-sharing guidelines and there is a reason for all of them.

[tiqa]

Not trying to be belligerant, just out of curiosity, how realistic is it that you're going to be adjusting several light blankets during the night for optimal temperature?  For me, I was hyperaware of the baby, slept chest-to-chest, etc.  But blankets, not so much.

Our duvet was also very lightweight, come to think of it.  A heavy one, I agree would be more problematic.

[katelove]

Originally Posted by tiqa 

Not trying to be belligerant, just out of curiosity, how realistic is it that you're going to be adjusting several light blankets during the night for optimal temperature?  For me, I was hyperaware of the baby, slept chest-to-chest, etc.  But blankets, not so much.

Our duvet was also very lightweight, come to think of it.  A heavy one, I agree would be more problematic.

:-) I'm not saying its realistic I'm just saying that's the reason for it being one of the guidelines.