Typically, toddlers gain mobility and control at 18 months of age. Therefore, they should be able to sleep safely with pillows and a duvet. Children grow and develop at different speeds, however, so you should monitor how well your child grasps mobility before introducing them to duvets.

In the following guide, Linens Limited has outlined the various milestones for young children with regard to bedding and when they are usually safe to implement them.

What Bedding Should I Use for a Newborn?

From the newborn stage to the toddler stage, your child should sleep in a cot that has walls high enough to stop them from climbing out. This will help to keep them safe during their sleep and at other times when you cannot keep an eye on them directly.

The most common bedding choice for babies and toddlers is soft cotton blankets. These are safer than duvets due to their light weight, allowing young children to easily throw them off if needed. They are also thinner than duvets, allowing more breathability and massively reducing the risk of suffocation.

However, if you are worried about your baby’s temperature on colder nights and find that they are such a wriggly sleeper that they frequently kick off their blanket, you should consider opting for a baby sleeping bag. While still light, these often provide better insulation and, due to your baby being wrapped up, are more likely to keep your baby in the sleeping bag and warmer all night. This also makes them a safe option for your child as they will be less able to move around and will find it more difficult to put the sleeping bag over their head than a blanket or duvet.

At What Age Can My Child Move to a Bed?

There is no specific timeframe in which you should move your child from a cot to a bed; depending on how fast your child develops their mobility, you could make the change just after 18 months or before three years of age, or anywhere in between. It is recommended to wait until at least 18 months, however, as this is the age that children typically start to have more control over their surroundings and can protect themselves from suffocation.

What Bedding Options Can Make the Cot-to-Bed Transition Easier?

The most obvious way to make a bed more inviting is to make it as comfortable as possible. Choosing the right bedding material for your child will help them to settle into their new sleeping environment. Read our guide to the different types of bed linens and their properties to explore the different options available to you and to understand each material’s benefits and drawbacks.

A cot bed is much more restrictive than a normal bed, so the transition to a larger one may leave your child excited. Even small beds designed for young children will offer much more space than a cot. However, the lack of security that a cot bed can provide may also leave your child feeling apprehensive. One of the best ways around this is to find bedding in styles that your child likes. Choose bedding in their favourite colours, or find themed designs with imagery from their favourite films or TV shows.

You will need to make sure you provide bedding in the right sizes. Dedicated children’s bedding will be suitable for dedicated children’s beds. However, if you are moving your child to a standard-sized single bed, you will need to make sure you buy duvets and covers for single beds.

To ensure that your child can sleep comfortably with their new duvet or bedding, shop at Linens Limited. Our Childrens and Nursery & Baby bedding ranges include a variety of products that will provide great insulation properties and a variety of designs, while remaining at affordable prices.

For more information about our bedding ranges for young children and babies, call us today on 0800 389 0059, or fill out an online contact form with your query and we will call you back.