6 Brilliant Hacks to Stop Your Toddler Kicking Off the Blanket

Is your toddler kicking off the blanket all night long? Find out why and what you can do about it.

You tuck your toddler into his comfy little bed, all snuggled up and looking adorable. You go through the bedtime routine of reading books, giving hugs and lights out. Two hours later your toddler is screaming for you. The blanket has been kicked off and he’s woken up feeling cold. Sound familiar?

This is a fairly common concern for many sleep deprived toddler parents: how do you stop your active toddler from kicking off the blanket while sleeping?

Before answering that question though, it’s important to first understand why your toddler hates blankets and why they kick them off. This is very important because it will help you understand what’s going through your child’s mind and also help you be less frustrated with this nightly ordeal.

You may also want to read my post on how to smoothly transition your toddler to a blanket along with ideas on how to deal with a child who keeps unzipping the sleep sack.

This post is all about toddler kicking off the blanket

Your child hates blankets for many reasons.

The most common reason is that the blanket makes them feel uncomfortable. Perhaps its too heavy for them and makes them feel constricted.
It may also be too warm for them and hence your child kicks it off during the night.
Lastly, it may be that your toddler isn’t ready for a blanket yet. Many kids wear sleepsacks or thick pyjamas as babies and are not used to having a blanket over them while they sleep.

Now that you’ve understood your child’s apprehension about using blankets, it’s time to come up with some solutions. Here are 6 ideas you can try out today:

6 Hacks to Stop Toddler Kicking Off the Blanket (Or Duvet)

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

1. Wrap a large sheet around the blanket

This is a tried and tested hack used by moms worldwide. And that’s because it works. Simply take a large sheet, wrap it over the blanket and tuck it under the mattress.

This will give your little one enough room to wriggle about and kick under the duvet or blanket without it coming off.

2. Single duvet turned sideways

This is another hack invented by moms and something many parents swear by.

Take your toddler sized duvet and put it into a single duvet cover (the single duvet will be too large for the toddler duvet… that’s the point).

Then instead of putting the duvet vertically on the bed the way you’d normally put it, lay it sideways instead and tuck in the extra fabric between the mattress and the bed frame.

This will help keep your toddler warm at night while also allowing your child to kick freely.

Toddler Wont Hold Hands – 6 Clever Strategies You Should Try

5 Genius Strategies to Stop Your Toddler Slamming Doors

6 Ingenious Ways to Stop a Toddler from Jumping on the Couch

3. Use bedsheet holder straps

If your child’s night time kicking is aggressive, you’ll need something stronger to hold the duvet in place.

That’s where bedsheet holder straps come in. These are stretchable holders that are designed to keep bedsheets in place.

While they are made for bedsheets in particular, they work perfectly well for duvets too and can help secure the duvet in place during your child’s night time kicking extravaganzas.

Note: they will clip on from under the mattress so your child won’t feel anything while sleeping

4. Use a wearable blanket

One way to stop having to fret about your toddler waking up feeling cold is to use a wearable blanket. This is particularly suitable in the winter months.

These come in many designs, sizes and colors. They are also called a variety of names including sleepsacks, wearable blankets and sleeping bags.

The one thing they all have in common is that your toddler will stay snug and warm at night and your child can’t kick it off! *victory dance*

“Sleep sacks are safer than quilts or other coverings; they help your baby sleep better and are easy to use. Sleep sacks work by applying warmth and very gentle pressure over your infant’s body for better sleep.” wonderbaby.org

Here are some toddler wearable blankets/sleepsacks on Amazon that parents are loving:

Sleeveless Sleepbag Wearable Blanket

Muslin Sleeping Bag and Sack, Premium Cotton Breathable

Toddler Nap Mat with Pillow & Blanket

5. Use a lighter blanket

This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you.

I’ve noticed that the reason my toddler kicks the blanket off at night is because she hates thick blankets and duvets. The thicker the blanket, the faster she kicks it off.

Young children can dislike blankets for all sorts of reasons, but it’s usually because they find them heavy and uncomfortable
dadometer

However if I give her a light, cotton blanket she feels comfortable and doesn’t kick if off at all.

Thin blankets don’t provide a ton of warmth so if you go for this option you’ll have to make sure that your toddler’s nightsuit is warm enough depending on the weather.

6. Don’t cover the feet

Many children (and adults too) are particularly bothered by the sensation of something covering their feet and hence the kicking.

So an option definitely worth exploring is to cover only your child’s body while leaving the feet uncovered. Try it for one night and see if it makes a difference.

Bonus Tip:

A great sleep hack that has really helped improve my toddler’s overall sleep health has been switching from a regular old mattress to an organic mattress that is chemical free and completely free of flame retardant chemicals.

I did not realize how important this switch was until I started reading all about the horrible side effects of making kids sleep on mattresses filled with chemicals (news: most mattresses are filled with these chemicals and have a range of terrible effects on a child’s long term health!).

Kids easily spend 8-12 hours a day sleeping and playing on or near their mattress. Because the mattress is in such close proximity to the child for long periods of time, it can easily become a huge source of chemical exposure.

This realization started my search for chemical free mattresses and I came to know of Naturepedic.

Naturepedic mattresses for kids (along with their whole collection of kids organic bedsheets, pillows and protector pads) are chemical free, completely eliminate the use of flame retardant chemicals and are a leading brand dedicated to making safe, non-toxic sleep products for the whole fam.

You can check out more about Naturepedic here and why it’s a go to brand for every parent looking for safer sleep solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Why do toddlers kick off blankets?

Toddlers kick off blankets while sleeping because they feel uncomfortable – the blanket might be too hot or too heavy for them and hence the desire to throw it off. Toddlers also have a very active sleep pattern and move around in all directions while sleeping so it’s only natural that the blanket gets kicked off.

How do I get my toddler to stop kicking off blankets?

You can get your toddler to stop kicking off the blanket by trying several strategies.

One way is to take an extra sheet and wrap it over the blanet and then tuck it firmly under the mattress.

Another option is to use bedsheet holder straps if your child has strong kicks. You can also try using a wearable blanket which not only keeps your child warm at night but also can’t be kicked off.

Lastly, try using a lighter blanket that your toddler finds more comfortable and don’t cover your child’s feet.

Should I tuck my toddler’s duvet in?

Yes! Tucking your toddler’s duvet between the mattress and bed frame is a good way to prevent the duvet from being kicked off at night. Your child will have enough room to kick freely while also staying snug under the covers.

Can a toddler suffocate under a duvet?

The American Acadamy of Peadiatrics (AAP) recommends keeping loose bedding like blankets and duvets away from your child’s sleeping area until at least the first 12 months. This is due to the risk of suffocation – if the blanket covers your child’s face he will be unable to remove it and may get smothered undeneath it.

When should i introduce a duvet to a toddler?

According to the American Academy of Peadiatrics (AAP), the risk of suffocation from duvets or blankets is significantly reduced once your child hits the toddler years. Ideally you should wait till your child turns 18 months old and moves into a toddler bed before introducing a duvet to them.

Is it OK for toddler to sleep without blanket?

Yes, if your toddler does not like the blanket then its best not to force him to use it. However if the weather is cold then make sure to dress your toddler warmly and to set the thermostat to a temperature of about 65 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit (or 18 to 22 degrees Celsius).

How do I know if my toddler is cold at night?

Touching your toddler’s hands and feet is an unreliable way to tell if they are feeling cold at night. That’s because a child’s hands and feet are supposed to be cool to the touch while they sleep. A good way to check if your toddler is cold in his sleep is to touch his tummy, chest or back (which should feel warm to the touch).

How can I keep my toddler warm at night without blankets?

To keep your toddler warm at night without blankets, consider using sleep sacks or wearable blankets made of breathable materials.

These provide warmth without the risk of suffocation and allow your toddler to move freely.

Additionally, adjusting the room temperature and dressing your child in layers can help maintain a comfortable sleeping environment without the need for traditional blankets.

………………………………………………………………

Are you struggling with bedtime stalling? Does your toddler find a 101 excuses to not do their pre bedtime tasks like finish dinner, brush their teeth and wear pjs?

Bedtime Routine Charts are going to be your absolute best friend. Your child will be able to visually see everything they need to get done and in what order. Without you yelling, nagging or even reminding!