When can my toddler have a blanket in bed? Once your child reaches 18 months, it's fine for him to sleep with a thin blanket or lovey. But if he's in a crib, make sure the blanket and stuffed animal are small enough so that he can't use them to climb over the side.
There is no official age that's been deemed 100 percent safe to use a blanket, quilt or comforter, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), but most medical experts feel that soft bedding poses little danger in the crib to healthy babies after 12 months of age and ideally when they're 18 months or older.
Try not to over-bundle your baby in clothes if you think they might get cold at night — overheating is another risk factor for SIDS. Make sure the room is at a comfortably cool temperature, so the little one could sleep soundly. You can introduce a blanket to a baby when they are about two years old.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises that it is not safe for a baby to sleep with a blanket while they are less than a year old. SIDS most frequently affects babies between birth and six months. View Source , but deaths may still occur in infants up to 12 months of age.
You may be tempted to offer your baby a soft, warm blanket to help comfort them at night. However, blankets are not recommended until your baby reaches at least 12 months old because they can increase the risk of accidental suffocation.
When can my toddler have a blanket in bed? Once your child reaches 18 months, it's fine for him to sleep with a thin blanket or lovey. But if he's in a crib, make sure the blanket and stuffed animal are small enough so that he can't use them to climb over the side.
Once your baby is about 18 months old, they should have more control over there mobility, and so it should be ok to introduce a pillow and thicker blanket or duvet. Whilst it's tempting to do so earlier, it's not at all necessary, and is much safer to wait until 18 months to reduce the risk of suffocation or SIDS.
Once your baby is over a year old, you may wish to use a doona or quilt instead of blankets and sheets or a sleeping bag. Quilts and doonas are available with a variety of fillings, including hypoallergenic versions.
“By 18 months, a small, lightweight blanket will be fine for the vast majority of babies but between 12 and 18 months, parents should use their discretion or consult with their child's pediatrician.”
For younger toddlers and when you're just introducing a blanket for the first time, you should choose a lightweight, thin, and breathable blanket.
However, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend letting a toddler under the age of 2 years use a pillow. When your toddler transitions out of their crib to a bed they can then safely use pillows and other bedding.
Layering is the key to keeping your child warm at night. Wearing multiple layers will keep your child warmer than a single thick layer because the layers are better at trapping warm air in and maintaining heat.
Instead of adding blankets, add a layer of clothing. For example, you may want to consider whether your baby may benefit from a wearing vest under his or her baby-grow or pajamas. You may prefer to put your baby in a baby-grow/onesie with feet when it is cold, but without at warmer times of the year.
Cotton and polyester blankets hold up the best so they're great picks for younger kids. As kids get older there are more materials to choose from including bamboo, wool, and Sherpa. You'll want to pick out a material that feels great to your child and will also hold up to any wear and tear.
Helps Kids Fall Asleep Faster
Another study on kids and sleep in the British Medical Journal showed that a heavy blanket helped children fall asleep faster.
As you're getting them ready for bed, show your child their new pillow or blanket, and let them touch and play with it. Show them how to lay on their new pillow, tuck them under their new blanket, and let them practice!
Children under four years old should have a light duvet. It is recommended to use a tog of 4.0 or less. They can't regulate their body temperature, so a warmer duvet could cause them to overheat, making them unwell.
Blankets are better at sealing in the heat, as they are heavier than doonas, meaning that they are better for colder climates. The other major advantage of blankets over doonas is price and durability. A well made blanket is generally cheaper than a doona and will last longer.
Best age for this transition
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends transitioning your child to a bed once they're 35 inches tall, which typically happens between 18 - 24 months.
Start by using just a top sheet over the sleeping bag, so your child gradually gets the idea that the sheet gets pulled up and is part of the bedtime routine. Then try using a lighter weight sleeping bag, the top sheet and one blanket.
You can also heat the bed before getting into it by putting a few towels in your dryer or a blanket warmer during your child's bath. Use one to wrap the child in ( who wouldn't love a heated towel right out of the bath?) and put another in the crib or bed to warm it up. (Remove them when the child is ready for sleep).
For many toddlers, expecting them to sleep from 7pm to 7am is too much to ask, but a 9:30pm bedtime is probably too late. Instead, the sweet spot tends to be between 8 and 8:30pm for toddlers, with lights-out by 8:30.
Toddler (age 2 – 4): 35" x 45" or approximate (ie: 40x50)
Feel your baby's chest or the back of their neck (your baby's hands and feet will usually be cooler, which is normal). If your baby's skin is hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers of bedclothes or bedding.