I remember when my son was 2 and how adorable he looks with his hoodie. However, I was stress to let him sleep with his hoodie. Here’s how to stay safe!
Kid’s hoodies aren’t only fashionable, they are also comfortable. Because the fabrics weren’t too thick or too thin, my boy could wear it all year round, even on a cooler summer day.
Still, I wonder if sleeping in a hoodie was dangerous for my little one? Here’s what I’ve found out!
Your kid will look comfy in a hoodie, and you might think of letting him go to bed with it. However, this is not always advisable. I’ll show you why later in this article.
Is it Safe for Your Child to Sleep with a Hoodie?
For healthy adults, sleeping in a hoodie is not a cause for concern. But it’s a different story for kids. Regardless of drawstrings, hoodies can pose several risks for your sleeping child.
Loose fabrics and strings are suffocation hazards. Extra clothing layers can also cause your little one to overheat. Overheating is one contributing factor to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Dangers of kids sleeping in a hoodie
Hoodies can be an issue for young children. Here’s when it’s safe or not to let your child sleep with a hoodie.
Infants – 0 to 12 months
If you’re asking, can newborns wear hoods? The answer is no. It’s too risky for a baby to sleep with a hoodie.
Each year, more than 3000 babies die in the US due to unsafe sleeping areas. Often, these deaths are associated with suffocation and strangulation.
Babies under 12 months are vulnerable and helpless. They will not be able to remove anything that obstructs their breathing when asleep.
Experts advise keeping the infant’s bed simple and bare. Little ones shouldn’t wear anything around their neck and head, including hoodies and bibs.
Other than strangulation, overheating is another serious concern. Babies are known to have higher average temperatures than adults. Hoodies can contribute to heating them up beyond what’s comfortable for them. They might even suffer heatstroke.
Toddlers – 12 to 36 months
Risks of SIDS lessen beyond 12 months. But hoodies still pose severe dangers to your child.
Drawstrings are the main culprit to several reported deaths involving hoodies. These cords can get caught on some parts of the bed. While sleeping on a loft or an upper bunk bed, the strings might get tangled on his way down.
Young kids – 3 to 5 years old
It’s good for your kids to keep them on the safe side. Remove all drawstrings and cords from all your kid’s clothes, not only from hoodies. This is the safest way for a child to wear a hoodie.
Your child can safely wear a hoodie in bed, so long as you make sure that no part of the bed can entangle and hook on to the clothing. But I discourage letting your kid wear a hoodie if he sleeps on the upper bunk bed or a loft. It’s a nightmarish thought, but you don’t want to risk your kid getting caught by the hood going climbing down her bed.
At what age is it okay for a child to wear a hoodie to bed?
Kids around 5 years and above can safely wear a hoodie to bed. At this age, they are physically capable enough to care for themselves. Their reflexes are also developed to remove any obstruction to their breathing.
Different Hoodie Outfits
Hoodies are popular items found in children’s wardrobes. Some are made for sleeping while others are not.
Hoodies to wear in bed
The following 4 types of hoodies are specially designed to wear in bed.
1- Pyjama Hoodie: Often a onesie pajama, this hooded outfit is meant for bedtime. My little boy enjoys his pajama hoodie. He absolutely loves slipping into it before going to bed. Pajama hoodies are most suitable during the colder time of the year for additional cover and warmth.
2- Jumpsuit Hoodie: Very much like the onesies, jumpsuit hoodies are one-piece outfits. Jumpsuits can be worn all year round if the weather is not too warm.
3- Hoodie Romper: It’s a one-piece outfit, just like jumpsuits and onesie pajamas. However, rompers have shorter sleeves or pants (or both).
4- Hoodie Blanket: Hooded blankets range from simple wrap-around to stylish wearable ones. If your child doesn’t like sleeping in pajamas, a hooded blanket is an excellent alternative you can look into. These are loose-fitting garments providing warmth and total comfort.
Blanket hoodies are mostly exclusive for bedtime or at least wearable inside the house. But your kid can sleep in it all year round, just like a regular blanket.
Hoodie to wear while playing outside
The following types of hoodies were designed to wear outdoor, and they can be problematic if kids wear them to bed.
1- Zipper Hoodie: The type of hoodie that opens with a zipper in front. However, I won’t advise letting your kid wear this to bed, though. Other than safety considerations, the zipper and its track might not be comfortable for sleeping.
2- Hoodie Sweatshirt/Pullover: Pullovers are a very popular option. Unlike zip-ups, kid wears this by slipping it over the head.
3- Hoodie Poncho: This could’ve belonged under hoodie blankets. However, hoodie ponchos are not meant for sleeping.
Takeaway
Sleeping in a hoodie is dangerous for babies and toddlers. For older children, just make sure to inspect the outfit for potential hazards like drawstrings.
Hoodies are practical and fashionable. Plus, my little boy loves them so much. As a parent, I don’t want to take away from him these simple joys. But I also have to make sure that I don’t put him in danger.