Ask the Expert: How to Choose a Duvet for Your Child

Tog ratings can baffle the best of us! We understand how important the right bedding is to help your child sleep soundly and safely, so we’ve created this handy guide to make choosing the best duvet simple. We asked our friends at John Lewis’ Little Home department to share their advice on how to choose a duvet for your child, as well as their top tips on caring for your bedding, and establishing better bedtimes with little ones. Thanks to Yasmin Khan, John Lewis’ Product Technologist and Quality Manager, for sharing her expert knowledge!

What tog rating is best for a child’s duvet and what should parents cosider?

Choosing the right tog rating for a child’s duvet depends on their age, room temperature, and bed size. Unlike adults, toddlers and young children struggle to regulate their body temperature, making it crucial to select bedding that prevents overheating or getting too cold at night.

Recommended Tog Ratings by Age & Season:

• Best tog for toddlers (1–3 years): A lightweight 3 - 4.5 tog duvet is ideal to keep them comfortable without overheating. Shop here.
• Best tog for children over 3 years: A 4.5 - 9 tog duvet works well, depending on room temperature. Shop here.
• Best duvet for winter: A 7 tog duvet is perfect for colder months, ensuring warmth without excessive heat buildup. Shop here.
• Best duvet for summer: Opt for a 2.5 - 4 tog duvet in warmer weather or if the bedroom temperature is consistently above 20°C. Shop here.

Shop all pillows and duvets.

Do you have any recommendations for helping children keep cool at night during the summer?

In the warmer summer months, you can switch to a lower tog rate duvet, like 2.5 and 4 tog. If the room gets hotter than 20°C, make sure your child is wearing lightweight pyjamas. You might also like to use a blanket instead of a duvet.

Best Summer Bedding for Kids

• Choose a lower tog duvet: A 2.5 - 4 tog duvet is ideal for warmer nights, helping regulate body temperature.
• Monitor bedroom temperature: If the room is hotter than 20°C, consider using a lightweight blanket instead of a duvet.
• Dress in breathable fabrics: Opt for light cotton pyjamas or a sleep sack to keep your child cool.
• Improve airflow: Use a fan, blackout curtains, or an open window to maintain a comfortable sleep environment.

What age would you transition a child to a duvet?

If your child is under 12 months, it’s best to avoid quilts, duvets, and pillows due to risk of overheating and suffocation. Instead you should use either a blanket or sleep bag. For expert advice on safe sleep for babies, visit the Lullaby Trust website.

If your child is over 12 months but under 3 years old, go for a duvet that is no warmer than 4 togs. If your child is not ready for a duvet yet (i.e. moves around a lot during the night, still has cot bed sides up etc.) it’s fine to continue using blankets or a sleep bag until they are ready. This will vary depending on your child's needs and milestones, so follow their lead on this. Make sure the size of duvet is in proportion with the size of the child’s bed. Using a size larger than intended can also cause overheating. For cot beds, only use a cot bed size duvet; for single sized beds use a single duvet.

What duvet filling would you recommend?

Little Home offers synthetic and natural filled duvet and pillow sets. Here are some options to help you choose the best type of duvet filling to support your child’s individual sleep needs.

Synthetic filling:

• For warmth without weight: choose the SmartFil® Children's Washable Single Duvet. This duvet’s bubble polyester filling provides a free-flowing inner with ultra-fine, recycled fibres that adapt to your little one's movements and open structure that traps heat, so it will keep children warm, without feeling weighed down.

• For children with allergies: the Active Anti Allergy with Plant Based Treatment is ideal. Clinically proven to reduce allergy symptoms and certified by the British Allergy Foundation, this duvet is treated with a plant-based technology which is derived from natural geraniol.

Natural filling:

• For breathability: go for a soft, light weight duvet like the Pure Cotton Comfort Set. Naturally breathable, it's made with a 100% natural cotton filling with a pure cotton cover.

• For temperature regulating: wool and natural cotton are naturally temperature regulating and breathable. They keep the heat in when nights are cold and let it out when they’re hot. The pure cotton cover of the Little Home Wool Duvet & Pillow Set ensures a breathable feel while children sleep, as well as providing anti allergy benefits.

Do you have any recommendations for how to wash a duvet?

All of our Little Home duvets and pillows are easy to care for and can be washed in a standard washing machine. Always follow the instructions on the care label, as it will vary depending on the filling. Our Little Home duvets and pillows dry faster than standard options, meaning they’ll be ready to go back on the bed in no time! Don’t forget to shake to restore loft.

And lastly, do you have any tips for building a bedtime routine for children?

My little ones sleep better (and longer) when their routine is consistent. Before bed they have a bath, pop on their pyjamas, then have quiet time in their bedroom. During quiet time we read stories together and block out any daylight to help them understand that it’s nighttime. Blackout curtains are great to keep out natural light during the summer months. Sensory night lights are also fantastic to create a relaxed environment before they go to sleep.

 

Armed with the knowledge of how to choose the best duvet for you child, you can now feel confident in your choice of tog. Check out our range of children’s duvets to discover more.

For more tips on mastering better nights and good mornings with little ones, read our better bedtimes guide.