What type of blankets will keep the kids warm this winter?

[Pibbley]

Should I invest in high tog duvets?

I think they're just normal all year ones as we usually have the heating on but really not going to be able to.

Or will layers work better? More blankets?

Blanket under the bottom sheet (any works, cheap fleece is fine). Layers, a top sheet under the duvet

Do you knit/crochet or know someone who does? My kids have wool blankets crocheted by their grandma and they are very cosy. Too hot they often moan, in fact! But they'll be needed this winter I think.

Otherwise, going up to highest tog rating and using brushed cotton sheets - inc an extra layer with a flat sheet will all help. Cosy, fleece PJs and bed socks are inexpensive too and keep them warm (I like the M&S ones and they often do discount on kids pyjamas via sparks).

Just the thought of a woollen blanket it bringing me out in hives and reminding me of my early childhood. Itchy blankets and sheets tucked under the mattress so your legs are pinned in, horrendous. Just put some socks on and a throw (not itchy) on top of the duvet.

I don’t have a duvet anymore and in winter I go with layers which include a cotton flat sheet firmly tucked in, 2 or 3 fleece blankets (£12 each from John Lewis) and then an empty duvet cover on top. I’m never cold in bed

Do you live in a particularly cold house? We never have the heating on at night and everyone just uses a normal duvet, possibly if a very cold night an extra blanket and a pair of socks in bed.

I was wondering that as we never heat the house at night but maybe if people can’t afford to heat it during the day at all then the house will be much colder at night. Our heating goes off at 10pm in winter but I assume the house holds the heat for a while as even on cold mornings it doesn’t take too long for it to heat back up.

Do people generally have their heating on overnight? I am really surprised. I personally hate heavy weight on me at night and used to loathe woollen blankets when I was a child. A 10.5 tog duvet and an (optional) fleece blanket will do the job. Cosy dressing gown or oodie for the morning.

We never have the heating on overnight.

We each have 13.5 tog feather duvet and are always lovely and toasty.

This evening I've ordered us all a heated throw each. DH and I work from home and often put the heating on as it's cold but will try to reduce that this year Nd I thought the kids would like them after school or to warm their bes up before they get in.

They also have an oodie each and DS like sleeping in that as it's so cosy.

I get really cold at night, except for the hottest days I use a wool duvet (winter weight)
In winter I add 2-3 blankets and sometimes a dressing gown

i think that’s quite unusual @PeloAddict are you frail/disabled? Honestly some of these suggestions would only be used by me on nights where the outdoor temperature was less than 5degrees! And we only heat the house to 18c. for a couple of hours in the morning and 3 in the evening (goes off at 9pm) so it’s not like we have the house particularly warm.

I bought a fake oodie from Next during the 1st winter lockdown of 2020. It cost around £20 & is very warm and toasty so good value for money.

Medical conditions but not frail (I'm 5ft 10 and exercise regularly)
Hashimotos and on levo. But I've always been the same even as a child. It's 20c now and I'll have a duvet cover (empty) and two thin cotton blankets on the bed. Plus pjs and socks

Fleece blankets over a duvet are warm, soft and non-itchy. Cheap too - ours are a mixture of Next, Asda and Tesco I think.

Weighted blanket on top of duvet is one of my dc's choice.

Or a fleece blanket

Hot water bottles

A dressing gown adds a layer on top of the duvet if you dont have a blanket.

I am fortunate my place doesn't get too cold. Which will be good as I will not be having the heating on as much. Although its not so much an asset this time of year when my bedroom is rarely below 26 degrees with the windows open.

We have never had our heating on overnight and normally have windows open as we like the fresh air- heating goes off at 9 and on at 7. We just have normal duvets, but on colder nights a fleece layer between person and duvet helps. I leave socks on when I get into bed but they're always off once I've warmed up in bed.

You don't need to replace your duvet, you can layer them, it feels fab as it is heavy too.

If you do buy extra duvets buy a size bigger than the bed so you can tuck it round you to avoid drafts. A king size duvet on a double bed or a double on a single is really good.

Brushed cotton bedding is warmer than plain cotton or polycotton.

You can also make your bed warmer by adding a warmer bottom sheet or putting an old duvet under the bottom sheet.

Can you tell we used to have a really really cold bedroom?

@PeloAddict yes that must make it harder to keep warm at night.

Although this winter will be hard for many, and I don’t want to minimise the situation, I do think a number of people will realise they were using their heating much more than they actually needed.

I'm very stingy with mine. It comes on for a bit in the morning and evening if it drops below 16c, never on overnight
WFH with a heated blanket on my lap if I'm cold

Yes sorry the second paragraph wasn’t meant specifically at you @PeloAddict although in total agreement that heated blankets are a wfh essential!

I can recommend the John Lewis version of an Oodie. Going to get them for DC and DH as I love mine (got it as a present).

@MuffinMcLayLikeABundleOfHay is it one of these blankets?

I crochet my own. Just a simple easy patten but they're so warm.

My parents house simply doesn't have any heating upstairs. I feel the cold too!
As a family, we were probably late adopters of duvets but I was the last in the family to get one as I just couldn't imagine being warm without my wool blankets. Then I got so sick of not being able to roll over easily due to the weight of those blankets that I tried a duvet and it was a game changer. We always had those all seasons ones where you get a 9 tog and a 4.5 tog and can stick them together to create a 13.5 tog.
My strategy was:

• half an hour before bed, dash upstairs and put hot water bottle where my feet would be. Bring (thick) PJs down and place near the fire downstairs
• get ready for bed and put on now warm PJs, a pair of fluffy socks and fleecy dressing gown
• go to bed and move hot water bottle from feet end to where my body would be
• go to bed, still wearing dressing gown
• wrap duvet firmly around me like a burrito so there were no ways a draught could get in (always slept with window slightly open)
• have woollen blanket on standby ready to throw over me if needed

I don't remember my head ever being cold. On camping trips though, I always wear a hat.

The crocheted wool blanket my sister made me is VERY warm. I think the combination of wool with holes (it's made up of lots of granny squares) is ideal to trap the warmth.

For bed, a hot water bottle, thermal leggings and top, duvet and wool blanket should be fine. A child can wrap themselves nicely in all that.

I also feel the cold at night @PeloAddict but don't have any health conditions. I come from a family of cold sleepers - there's one of us in every generation!

I rent as well, so my bedroom isn't as well insulated as I'd like and is easily the coldest room in the house.

Since switching to wool bedding I've stopped going to bed with multiple hot water bottles, socks and jumpers on the coldest nights (under my 13.5 tog duvet)!