Worrying Mom - could DS have died??

[kbkids]

My 4-yr-old son has just recently started doing this, and it is scaring me to death. He will get his blanket and completely cover his face with it. Not just sleeping underneath, but wrapped around his face. I check on him constantly until he falls asleep. Well, last night, he must have woke up again because when I went to bed, DS had been in bed for about 1 1/2 hours, he had that blanket wrapped around his face. Totally freaked me out, and I unwrapped it off his face. He was sound asleep, but his face just looked really pale - not blue - but just sickly looking. Could he suffocate himself like this? I talked to him this morning, just like a million other times, but he just laughs. Any suggestions?

 

[CEDmom]

Oh my goodness, that's really scary. Yes, if it's wrapped tightly enough he could suffocate. Is it his blankie he's doing it with or just the blanket on his bed? If it's his blankie I'd suggest cutting it so he can't wrap it around his head but he has enough to hold onto. If it's just a regular blanket I'd get a blanket sleeper for him to wear to bed and not use a blanket to cover him. Good luck.

 

[disneyaggie]

I personally do not think this is safe at all. I am not an expert, but it seems that he is doing this for attention (and getting it)! Have you called his pediatrician and asked for his/her opinion? Good luck!

 

[kbkids]

It's the regular bedding. He started with his pillows. He has a full sized bed. I'd find him sleeping on one pillow, the other on top of his head. So, took away the extra pillow. Now he's starting with the blanket and sheets on the bed.

 

[Nancy]

Is he afraid of something at night that he feels the need to cover his face? I used to have some issues with fears at night and had to sleep with blankets way up over my face..not wrapped around, but I figured if I couldn't see anything than nothing could see me.

 

[Minnesota!]

I used to sleep like this myself (pillow over my face). I am still here. However, as a mom now, i would be just as paniced as you - I would be constantly checking him. DS co-sleeps with us and I wake up a few times a night and check him, making sure he isn't under my pillow *where he loves to be* or somewhere else...

 

[CEDmom]

It's the regular bedding. He started with his pillows. He has a full sized bed. I'd find him sleeping on one pillow, the other on top of his head. So, took away the extra pillow. Now he's starting with the blanket and sheets on the bed.

If he is just putting it on top of his head I don't think you need to worry it's the wrapping it around that should be a concern. It could twist tightly if he rolls around in his sleep and cut off oxygen. I'd eliminate all bedding if you can't get him to understand the danger. I'd make sure he knows you're not punishing him but just trying to keep him safe.

 

[Hannathy]

If it is a regular knit or woven blanket and he is not in a bunk bed that he could fall out and hang himself I don't think IMO he could suffocate himself. Give him back the pillow that is light and fluffy then he can't wrap it around and will get air. My son likes to sleep under the covers also.

 

[Wishing on a star]

I very seriously doubt that this is just misbehavior just to get attention!!!!

This is called cacooning, and it can be a sign of fears, or other more serious and valid issues.

ignoring this, or punishing, is not the way to go.....
That will just make an even bigger issue of the matter.

I would see how I could rearrange his sleeping quarters.
And, I might mention this to the Ped. as well.

 

[elgerber]

My dd is 10 and she wraps the sheets around her head when she sleeps. I will pull them off, she will squirm, and when I wake her up in the morning, they are there again.

 

[BeNJeNWaFFLe]

If the blanket is wrapped around his head then that is very scary. I would be worried. If it is just placed over his head, then it is not too bad. Ever since I was young I always fall asleep with the blanket over my head. Not wrapped around my head, just over it. My mom always worried but after 20 years of it she gave up. I know its weird but I guess it is just my comfort level. Now if he is wrapping his head in the blanket, then there is need for a talk because that is dangerous and just scary. I am sorry you are going through this.

 

[kbkids]

If it is a regular knit or woven blanket and he is not in a bunk bed that he could fall out and hang himself I don't think IMO he could suffocate himself. Give him back the pillow that is light and fluffy then he can't wrap it around and will get air. My son likes to sleep under the covers also.

I guess the pillow would be a better alternative - hadn't thought about that.

 

[kbkids]

Just wanted to add that I think I do know where last night came from. He had kinda stopped doing it for the past couple of weeks. Well, my mom gave him this huge, life-sized spiderman stuffed animal yesterday, and he was sleeping with it. I think he probably woke up (or wasn't completely asleep like I thought when I quit checking on him), and was playing with spiderman and "webbed" himself. SIGH! Looks like the big thick footie pajamas tonight!

 

[PlutoPony]

Maybe he could use a sleeping bag instead of sheets/blankets - it would be hard to wrap that around his head. You could always put his mattress on the floor with the sleeping bag so he wouldn't fall out of bed with it...

 

[ckay87]

How about replacing his bedding with a sleeping bag for now? Even the mummy bag types since he evidently likes the closed-in feeling. Do you think he would crawl out of it and wrap that around his head? I'm just thinking that would be hard for him to do if he's inside it.

I would worry too. My DS just pulls blankets up over his face and it bothers me. Good luck - you must be tired from having to check on him all the time.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My 14yo dd sleeps with covers over her face...drives me nuts!

 

[ladycollector]

That would worry me. I would get him some new bedding for the time being. Probaby crocheted bedding that has the little holes in it so he can't suffocate.

Good luck!

 

[justhat]

My daughter does this too if there is the slightest amount of light in the room while she's sleeping. She'll take a pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal and put it over her face to block the light. It scares me everytime she does it and I move whatever is there after she's been asleep, but I'm still nervous one day she'll suffocate. But then I thought, if I were suffocating, wouldn't I move whatever it was on my face? So I think my daughter would too. I think once they're of an age to realize that they can't breathe and can do something about it then they will.

 

[kbkids]

My daughter does this too if there is the slightest amount of light in the room while she's sleeping. She'll take a pillow, blanket, or stuffed animal and put it over her face to block the light. It scares me everytime she does it and I move whatever is there after she's been asleep, but I'm still nervous one day she'll suffocate. But then I thought, if I were suffocating, wouldn't I move whatever it was on my face? So I think my daughter would too. I think once they're of an age to realize that they can't breathe and can do something about it then they will.

That's what DH keeps telling me too. But you know, being a mom = required to worry

 

[Lorix2]

my kids 13.5 and 8 still do this. My oldest would look gray and pale and sweaty and listless when I would wrench the blankets back from her face.

I still have to uncover them before I go to bed and hope they won't do it again in their sleep.

I really think it's a comfort to them to feel safe and sheltered, though neither one will admit as to why they do it.

Just keep checking him when you can - it started at that age for me too and mine are still here