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

Mar 15, 2023 Claire Harmer
Little boy snuggled up under dinosaur bedding

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!

Young boy tucked up under dinosaur bedding

WHAT SHOULD PARENTS CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING THE RIGHT TOG RATING FOR THEIR CHILD?

It’s important to always consider the age of your child, room temperature, and size of bed when choosing your child’s bedding as they have different needs to adults. Toddlers and children’s bodies can’t regulate temperature as effectively as adults, which means they risk overheating when sleeping with unsuitable bedding.

Duvets with a tog rating between 4.5 and 9 are ideal for children over 3. If their bedroom has a consistent overnight temperature between 18°C-20°C, then a duvet with tog rating of 4.5 is suitable. In winter, when temperatures drop, a 7 tog duvet can be used to keep children cosy.

Children's duvet and pillow set

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.

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.

Young girl snuggled up in white cot bed

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.

Children's duvet close up

DO YOU HAVE ANY RECOMMEDATIONS 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

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