When to Give Toddler a Blanket

I think you are safe to use blankets at this age. My son has been using one since he was about 6 months old. I think the concern is when they are infants-once they can roll over and lift there head they should be safe to use a blanket.

Blankets and pillows are safe at 1 year and older. There are toddler bedding sets including pillowcases, sheets, comforters... sold and Target, Walmart and various other places. The trick is to get them to sleep under them.

They are fine now. They say you can as soon as the babies can lift the blankets. My daughter is 13 months and we use one at night when its cold. Sometimes its hard because she gets twisted but thats it.

M. In medina

They are certainly old enough for a blanket. Don't expect them to keep it on at night, but they can have one. I started putting blankets on both of my kids at about 9 months. That's when the weather started getting cold. Try getting the sleepers that have the feet in them. That might help with the cold feet problem. My son, just this year, really started keeping a blanket up on him. Before he would just kick it off and wiggle it off. He is 5.

You've received great advice so far, so I won't repeat what you've already read. The only thing I would add is that when my daughter was about 2, we put a pillow in the crib with her. It helped her to stay (somewhat) in place overnight. This made me more comfortable to add a blanket.

S. - My daughter (now 13-months) has had blankets in her crib for a while. However, I've always made sure that they are the knitted ones (that have holes) and not a solid blanket. That way, if it gets over her head; she can still breathe. We did this with my other daughter too (she's now three).

Holy cow your boys are almost 2 1/2 years old give the boys blankets .They will be fine.

I also have twins (girls) that were born in February 2006. When they were about 1, put blankets in their bed (small ones bought in the baby section) because it was winter time. They've had blankets ever since (now use three small ones each) and we gave them pillows a little after they were two. I think your boys will be fine, and if they are anything like my two year olds, they will welcome the change of a pillow and blanket.

I never did follow the "rules". If my kids were cold, they got a blanket, whenever. Besides, I was of the idea that as long as they were mobile and could turn and roll over, then suffocation was not as big a problem. Toddler beds are the same size as cribs and use the same size sheets. But, yes they sell sets. We found a couple at Walmart in the baby section, not with the other sheets. My kids are also all over the bed.

At two your twin toddlers are fine to have a blanket. They do sell toddler bed sheet and blankets/comforters. I would tuck in the bottom and 1/2 way up on both sides. We also gave our daughter a small flat pillow. It helped her feel like a big girl and kept her head at the top. Also, since they will not wear socks, and you said their PJ's do not have feet. Did you try PJs with feet? We bought my two year old princess pjs with feet, even let her pick them out. She loves them and loves that you cannot see her feet. We make a big deal about it and make it fun.

Since your little guys are two I'd go ahead with a blanket now. Some moms like to put blanket sleepers over lighter weight sleepers or pajamas. Even wiggly babies will quickly figure out how to cover themselves up if they are chilly.

Wow, I am really out of the loop! When did "they" decide a toddler should not have a blanket? I had quilts and blankets in my children's beds from the day they came home from the hospital! If you are concerned about weight then get those fleece tosses and put over each of them and do not tuck it in giving the "blanket" the ability to move with the child!
I always tucked the blankets once they were in a bed, never tucked while in the crib, but the sheets were tucked in. I would get some sleepers with feet in them if your main concern is their feet, but frankly I had one child who was always all over the bed until he was in his teens!
Never had a problem, DD is 29, DS is 27, and am raising a 10 yr old who came home from the hospital into my care.

S., I must be a very bad mommy because Kaitlin has like 4 of her favorite blankets in her crib! I think she's had them since she was about 3 months old (16 mos. now). They were all made by grandmas and aunts, and she loves them all! I cover her with one, and that's starting to "keep her in place" now. She used to spin around like a propeller! Kaitlin doesn't like to have her feet covered, but I go in periodically and cover them up again :)

It's safe to give kids a blanket when they can lift their heads and roll over. My dd has had a blanket in her crib since the day she was born. She never suffocated. Your kids are WAY old enough to have blankets. It's also ok to give your kids pillows. They won't suffocate on them at that age. Pillows may help them stay in place. We never bought a set of sheets for my dd. She just uses whatever blankets we have. Since she's had a blanket in her bed for so long, she's really good about keeping covered up. If their feet get really cold, they'll wake up. I know that they make footie jammies for bigger kids. Try Children's Place.

"they say" lol toddlers shouldn't have blankets until they are one but my 8 month old has been sleeping with one for about a month and a half just fine (of course he can roll over) use your own judgement and let them interact with a blanket maybe during naps to see how well they sleep with it..my son does just fine!!!

My son is still all over the bed at 5 years old. He has a fuzzy blankety and pillows and sheet. All are off the bed or at the bottom of the bed by morning. I know he has since he was probably about 2 years old. (So no making the bed does not help them stay in place better at all!) It actually took awhile for him to stop falling out of the bed. I'm not really sure at what point in time is safe time to give blankets and such.

Hi S.,
Since you already know from the other responses that a blanket is ok, I'll tell you about the sheets/bedding. My son turns two next month and that's what we are searching for also. He doesn't like the footed pj's and he takes his socks off. I did buy him a toddler bedding sheet set (Go Diego Go) from BabiesRus and it was so rough and not comfy at all. I have been searching online and if you plug in Toddler bedding sheets you will find different websites that sell nice bedding for a toddler. Toddler size being the crib mattress size, but they need the pillow cover and extra long sheet. Actually found an adorable set on Lands End for boys. Cute stripes and paw prints were the options. Go to Landsend.com and under search put in Toddler bedding. Good luck!

Some people are concerned about having a blanket on their kids..some are afraid they may strangle themselves and/or sufforcate! But from the day my girls were born; now 12yrs, 10yrs, and 2yrs, all were swaddled in blankets, blanket sleepers, swaddlers..and all of them are fine. I never trusted a pillow in my kids' bed though, but when my youngest was a few months old that was the only way she would stay asleep. So we started to put a very flat pillow in her crib and lay her all the way on top, and no problems. But that doesn't make it okay for anyone. My first born had stopped breathing a few times in her sleep, and I was freaking out because I didn't know what caused it..I kept thinking it was because she was covered or not covered...because the room was cold or too hot. When I had taken her in for one of her checkups, the doctor told me that she has a heart murmer and plus she might have sleep apnea. Nothing ever made since, but after she was 2 yrs of age, I never worried as much...I kept watch and listened..she was a very silent sleeper..and all 3 of them are great now!

I used the comforter that came with the bed . You could also use a blanket. She favors her left side. My daughter is 4 1/2.

J. R.

S., I read somewhere that toddlers can sleep with a blanket at 18 months. My daughter is 16 months, and I have started giving her a light blanket at night. I feel comfortable that she can move the blanket if it's on her face, and it's not heavy enough to suffocate her. Hope that helps!

They do make toddler bed sets complete with pillow case, fitted bottom sheet, top sheet, and light comforter. My kids used them from the first time we put them in a toddler bed. My favorite set has a top sheet that's fitted along it's bottom making it so easy to make the bed & it stays on!

As infants, my kids slept tightly swaddled. When they were old enough to roll around & lift their heads, I covered them with a light fleece/microfiber blanket. They've never really slept uncovered.

Hi S.,
I think they're old enough for a blanket, however, if you still have concerns, there are some blanket sacs that they wear and that zip upfront, so they will never get to their faces or can get entangled on them.
Those blanket sacs also work on babies, just need to get the right size. You'll find them in babies r us.
Good luck!

I have given my kids blankets since day 1 and never had problems. They need something to keep them warm if they will not wear socks get them the PJ's with feet in them. My kiddos are 13 mo and 4 and YES they do have flannel sheets for toddler beds. I have one for my sons crib which was also his sisters it does help some that is for sure. Good Luck. Try a heater in their room we use the radiator heaters that work really good...

S.,

My daughter turned two this month, and she's been sleeping with a blanket for awhile now. She never has any trouble, but I will say that she doesn't stay covered up either. My hope is that she pulls it up over herself if she does get cold, but I'm not sure about that since I can't see her in her room!

Anyway, her blanket is a baby blanket sized blanket. I don't tuch in the sides at all, so if she wants to get from under it, she'll have no problem.

I also have two other daughters, 11 and 15 years old, and we did the same thing with both of them too.

Hope this helps.
M.

I had the same concern with my first son. He turned 18 months when he approached his second winter and his room gets kind of cool. I talked to my pediatrician and she said that around 18 months is a good time to start a little one with a normal bed set up...i.e. sheet, blanket, small (not too thick) pillow. We gave our son a small travel pillow and started using the comforter that came with his crib set and it worked great. However, they do make bedding sets for toddler beds and quite often you can find them on sale for around $20 or so.

Go ahead and give the kids blankets. I used blankets on my kids when they were newborn and they are all o.k. don't go by everything that doctors and "experts" say. You are the mother, and you do what you think is right for your children.

D.

I am 31 and have been married for almost 12 yrs. My husband and I have 3 boys ages 10,7, and 4.

I agree with Leah. The HALO Sleepsack is a Godsend! I had one for my first son who is now 3. The sleepsack is sleeveless so I'd put a onesie on him so his arms wouldn't get cold. Then I'd zip him in the sac!! It zips from the top down making overnight diapering easy and keeping their upper bodies warm. There's also enough room for your little one to move his or her legs and to stretch out into a normal sleeping position. You don't have to worry about them being crunched up inside there! You will love it! Sweet deams to you and your little ones!

Oh...they are old enough for blankets now. Also, you can buy the blanket sleepers...you know the full sleepers that have the feet.
Or after they fall asleep...go in and put their socks on. I do that when my son pulls his socks off. he is just 5 months older than your twins and I've let him have a blanket since 1 or maybe even a little younger

Several medical professionals tell you not to use a blanket until at least one year. Your boys are two so they should be fine. We just started to use a blanket or quilt with our 13 1/2 m.o. we have tried tucking the sides in but it doesn't really work. The sides stay tucked in and she just worms her way out and on top of everything.

I LOVE the Halo sleepsack! It is a blanket that you zip your child into. They come in a lighter material for the warmer months and a fleece material for the colder months. I think this is the best invention ever! They come in sizes S, M, L, XL, 2T, and 3T.

http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2610669

S., I think you've heard from every angle on this one but I'll throw my two cents in....

I feel that your boys are old enough for a blanket but that doesn't mean it'll do any good : ) We had to buy a full sized blanket for my son's twin sized bed and tuck a foot of fabric under the mattress to get it to stay on him through the night. Even that became ineffective once he figured out that he could just get out from the blanket.

At Target and Babies R Us you can find HALO sleep sacks in toddler sizes (they run small so go up a size). These have holes for their feet, so if your boys won't wear socks...which is not uncommon...this won't really solve your problem but they were great with my little restless sleeper until he outgrew them.

The fleecy footed pj's are great but my kids hate them because they make for sweaty feet. You can solve this by putting socks on underneath, the cotton is more breatheable but again lots of kids hate to sleep in socks.

The best thing that I have found is a 2 pc pj set with convertible feet. I cannot remember where I found them but I want to say it was Meijer or Target. The pants have a very long cuff with a toe pocket at the end that can be folded down over the feet and they are comfy cotton so no sweaty feet, and can just fold them up until the very last second when they get into bed.

Good luck finding the path of least tantrums!

Yes they do sell sheet sets for toddlers, and yes you can give 2 year old blankets for warmth. Frankly my kids have always had blankets, first swaddled and then when they could lift head and roll, regular baby blankets. I don't make the bed when occupied, we just use a fitted with one or two baby blankets.