It can be exciting or even a little heartbreaking to see your little one leave their cot and sleeping bag behind and move into a big bed with a duvet and pillow.
But when is the right time to transition safely?
UK Sleep specialist, Gemma Coe is a mum of two and is a certified baby and child sleep consultant. Gemma helps families develop healthy sleep habits and shares with us what you should consider when switching from sleeping bag to duvet.
When to say goodbye to the sleeping bag
With the growing range of sleeping bags and sizes available, your little one can theoretically stay in a sleeping bag until they are about five years old. Sleeping bags are easy to use, and your children usually have positive associations with them. Let's be honest: the designs and colours of sleeping bags or now ‘rompers’ with foot openings are just super cute!!
But when would you consider a duvet and thin pillow for your little one?
When they move to a bigger bed? Or when you start potty training at night? By then, at the latest, there will be a certain need to make it easier for your child to access the toilet. Of course, your child may also ask for a pillow and a duvet by their own accord - simply because they want to be "big" too. From a professional point of view, there is no such thing as THE right time. So please don't put yourself or your child under pressure.
I recommend a sleeping bag for children under the age of two years. A pillow is not recommended at this age, and if you do, it should be very thin. For stomach sleepers, a pillow should definitely be avoided. For children under one year of age, pillows can even pose a risk of sudden infant death syndrome. At this age, loose duvets are also not entirely safe, as your child can pull them over his or her head. It is therefore important to use a sleeping bag that fits well and does not slip. If you want to use a blanket at this age, it should always be well secured on the right and left sides.
Is your child ready for pillow and duvet? - A few considerations
If your child is older than two and you or your little one would like to switch to a pillow and duvet, here are a few considerations: Remember that without a sleeping bag, it will be easier for your child to climb in and out of bed. This means that it may also be necessary to think about additional safety aspects. Will your child be able to stay in bed through the night or will they pay you a late-night visit? Impulse control usually develops around the age of three. So if your child is currently happy in their cot and not climbing out, don't feel pressured to change anything.
Photo by Yan Krukov
Also, make sure your child is sleeping soundly before switching to a duvet and a very thin pillow. Some toddlers move around a lot during sleep, which can cause duvets to fall off easily during the night. If your child gets cold, he or she might sleep more restlessly or even wake up. Is your little one dexterous enough to wake up, realise that the blanket has fallen down and pick it up again without needing the help of an adult? If so, then they are really big enough to have their own duvet, because when you think about it, it really is quite an advanced skill for a young child, especially in the middle of the night.
If a duvet falls down, that's often how night waking’s happen, so try and use a bigger duvet so that more fabric can be tucked in on the right and left sides. Or change the orientation to landscape so that the sides are tucked in tightly between the bed frame and the mattress. This way your child is wrapped up tightly and the duvet stays in place better.
Once you have thought about all the different points and you and your child are ready for the duvet and pillow, go shopping together! There are some lovely bedding sets for toddlers and a great opportunity to let your child choose the colours and prints for their room. This will also build positive feelings about their sleeping environment and they will be more happy and open to changing too!
For more great sleep information and advice make sure you’re following Gemma’s blog and Instagram.