How to Choose Bedding for Your Children
Duvets and pillows are not recommended until your child is around one year old, but after that it can be a struggle to know how to approach the minefield of a child's bedding.
Do you use blankets or a duvet? Or even a traditional quilt? Do you choose feather or synthetic bedding? And, of course, any and all bedding has to be easy to wash and dry as it must be changed regularly.
Beds need to be kept accident proof without alienating or worrying your child once you start to potty train.
Firstly, you should invest in a mattress protector, ideally with a spare or two.
These can be quilted and allergy proof, which is good news for asthmatics.
Modern acrylic backed bedding will protect your mattress from night time accidents and still keep your child's bed comfortable, old-fashioned 'plastic sheets' are a thing of the past.
Children are more susceptible to temperature change when they sleep, so ensure that you have a range of bedding and dress the bed in layers to prevent chill or overheating as the seasons change.
Use a bottom sheet in conjunction with a top flat sheet tucked in and around on top.
Brushed cotton flannelette is an ideal fabric for winter.
A light cotton percale will keep your child comfortable in a summer heat wave.
The next layer should be a light blanket or two for a young child; cellular blankets are lightweight and warm for cooler nights.
A hypo-allergenic, lightweight quilt or duvet can then be put over this, or replace blankets once your child is a little older.
Pillows should be lightweight; a single, slim hypoallergenic pillow should be adequate.
Ensure your child's pillow is not too high, this may disturb their sleep unnecessarily and even cause a stiff neck or shoulder ache.
For children from around age 3-4, you might like to let them help to choose set of themed, character bedding, or a favourite colour.
As they become more aware of their surroundings, they will be happier to go to bed if their bedroom is their own place to sleep, try to keep playtime out of the bedroom and provide an evening routine which slows down steadily to prepare them for going to bed.
If your children share a bedroom, try to put them to bed at the same or similar times to minimise disturbance.
A light supper and a warm bath before 'story-time' has traditionally been a recommended evening routine for small children to them off to sleep with minimum fuss.
Do you use blankets or a duvet? Or even a traditional quilt? Do you choose feather or synthetic bedding? And, of course, any and all bedding has to be easy to wash and dry as it must be changed regularly.
Beds need to be kept accident proof without alienating or worrying your child once you start to potty train.
Firstly, you should invest in a mattress protector, ideally with a spare or two.
These can be quilted and allergy proof, which is good news for asthmatics.
Modern acrylic backed bedding will protect your mattress from night time accidents and still keep your child's bed comfortable, old-fashioned 'plastic sheets' are a thing of the past.
Children are more susceptible to temperature change when they sleep, so ensure that you have a range of bedding and dress the bed in layers to prevent chill or overheating as the seasons change.
Use a bottom sheet in conjunction with a top flat sheet tucked in and around on top.
Brushed cotton flannelette is an ideal fabric for winter.
A light cotton percale will keep your child comfortable in a summer heat wave.
The next layer should be a light blanket or two for a young child; cellular blankets are lightweight and warm for cooler nights.
A hypo-allergenic, lightweight quilt or duvet can then be put over this, or replace blankets once your child is a little older.
Pillows should be lightweight; a single, slim hypoallergenic pillow should be adequate.
Ensure your child's pillow is not too high, this may disturb their sleep unnecessarily and even cause a stiff neck or shoulder ache.
For children from around age 3-4, you might like to let them help to choose set of themed, character bedding, or a favourite colour.
As they become more aware of their surroundings, they will be happier to go to bed if their bedroom is their own place to sleep, try to keep playtime out of the bedroom and provide an evening routine which slows down steadily to prepare them for going to bed.
If your children share a bedroom, try to put them to bed at the same or similar times to minimise disturbance.
A light supper and a warm bath before 'story-time' has traditionally been a recommended evening routine for small children to them off to sleep with minimum fuss.
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