The warning comes after the tragic deaths of two children, including a baby. Please note: confronting content.

Parents are being warned not to use weighted blankets and sleep sacks for babies and young children this winter following the tragic deaths of two infants.

Red Nose Australia has issued a new urgent warning about weighted blankets and sleeping bags for small children because of a suffocation risk.

It comes after two children died overseas using models made for adults.

“When you put a weighted blanket for an adult anywhere near a baby or a child, the risk of something really awful happening is significantly really high,” Red Nose Australia chief executive Keren Ludski said.

“That was incredibly alarming to think about a weight being put down on the chest of a baby that could in any way impede their ability to breathe.”

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While the charity acknowledges these blankets can be helpful for adults and older children who require additional support to settle and go to sleep, Ms Ludski said they should never be used on infants and babies.

“They are marketed in clever ways to lead parents into believing they are a safe option for babies,” Ms Ludski said. “They are not.”

One of the two overseas deaths included a seven-month-old baby in the US, who died after he was put down for a nap at daycare and covered with a weighted blanket that was half his weight.

“These two deaths highlight what can happen if a baby or child cannot remove the blanket if they need to,” Ms Ludski said.

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Weighted blankets are often marketed as calming or sensory blankets as well as “anxiety aids” and usually contain small beads or sand.

There are also baby sleep sacks which can be bought in weighted varieties online.

Red Nose Australia warns these can compress the lungs, resulting in a lack of oxygen and also could overheat a baby - which is a risk factor for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

“Babies have died due to pressure directly on or against their chests. This is because the pressure inhibits full expansion of the chest and the abdominal movement required for healthy breathing.”

New mum Molly Winton, 27, said she was confused by all of the advice and warnings when she became a parent in March this year, making it difficult to find which products were safe or not.

“I’m constantly hearing different advice from family, friends, on parenting websites and on social media,” she said.

“It can be confusing to know what works and what’s safe, so my rule is to avoid all blankets until he’s one.”

Red Nose recommends avoiding the use of weighted blankets altogether. The charity offers the following advice: