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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

in putting a warm (not hot) water bottle in my toddler's cotbed?

26 replies

loveroflife · 15/10/2013 21:49

Ds (2.5) sleeps in a room that is not particularly warm - would it be OK to put a warm hot water bottle in his grobag as the evenings are getting colder or is this a stupid idea?

I love one in winter and he's pretty responsible in that if I explained that it was to keep him warm and not to open it etc, he would understand and not mess about with it.

OP posts:
ilovepowerhoop · 15/10/2013 21:57

no I wouldnt put it in his grobag. I wouldnt use one at all tbh. Put extra layers of clothing on if you think he will be cold or get one of the new 3.5tog bags you can get for colder rooms.

Retroformica · 15/10/2013 21:58

Yes stupid idea. If its in his grow bog, he can't kick it off if he's too hot. At 2.5 he's old enough to have one next to him

OrchidLass · 15/10/2013 21:58

No I wouldn't do this, he could easily roll onto it and burst it. DS used to have a lavendar bunny that you put in the microwave. How cold is his bedroom? What about a higher tog sleeping back and a cardigan?

Sirzy · 15/10/2013 21:59

Surely just getting warmer bedding/more layers is a more sensible approach?

Retroformica · 15/10/2013 21:59

Just buy one of those heated microwaved teddys or an animal hot water bottle to cuddle

Original poster
loveroflife · 15/10/2013 22:00

OK point taken, thanks will go for the warmer tog. His room is double glazed with a reasonable sized radiator but for some reason is the coldest room in our flat.

OP posts:
DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved · 15/10/2013 22:01

Try a heat pack instead, filled with lavender & wheat or cherry stones. Then you can control the heat and really check its safe, and no leak risk.

Don't put it in his gro bag though, that doesn't seem safe to me at all. Put it at the foot of his cot/ bed... Or put it in to warm the bed and take it out when the child gets in.

NomDeClavier · 15/10/2013 22:02

I would consider a wheat or cherry stone bag instead. The idea of giving him something warm is good but I don't think I'd trust even a 'responsible' toddler not to soak the bed with it or try to drink from it.

DoubleLifeIsALifeHalved · 15/10/2013 22:07

Btw for some reason when mine was little he took against hot water bottles something rotten - he'd shout at it and sit on the pillow and scream if I tried to move him further down the bed. The screams would not stop until the hot water bottle was removed from the bed!

(my bed not his)

bundaberg · 15/10/2013 22:12

i wouldn't have a problem with using a hot water bottle, but i wouldn't put it IN the grobag

spacegirl81 · 15/10/2013 22:23

Try putting a blanket underneath his sheet, helps to keep them warmer but without covering them in lots of layers Smile

bubalou · 15/10/2013 22:29

I definitely wouldn't recommend this!!!
Maybe put one in his cot to heat it up15 minutes before bed and take it out when you put him down.

Extra blankets or a nice fleecy baby grow or onesie might also help.Wink

christinarossetti · 15/10/2013 22:33

I would use it to warm his bed, but not leave him with it.

TheGlovesAreOrf · 15/10/2013 22:36

I have the windows wide open in our room right now. Thick quilt, cold room. Its thats best. When they get too warm they can kick the quilt off.

A hot water bottle, heat pad or the like isnt a good idea at all, I dont think.

Get a Gro Egg that will help.

BellEndTent · 15/10/2013 22:41

I feel completely dense asking this but what is the problem with hot water bottles? I don't have one in the house in case anybody is concerned, just wondering. Grin

christinarossetti · 15/10/2013 22:50

Small children can overheat, and may burn if they're laying directly on it.

Also, scalding if it leaks.

valiumredhead · 15/10/2013 22:53

I have a huge burn on my leg from a hot water bottle,I went to sleep and it burned me and I didn't even feel it.

No way should you put one in a toddlers gro bag or cot but you could user one to heat up the cot first. Use extra bedding or an extra heater in the room.

Catmint · 15/10/2013 22:54

Bleed the radiator, make sure it is working properly. Coldest room might be at the end of the central heating circuit.

BellEndTent · 15/10/2013 22:55

I didn't realise they could burn you. I feel really thick now!

gordyslovesheep · 15/10/2013 22:56

you should always use a grow bag aimed at the temp of the room - do you have a thermometer in there? It may feel cold to you but grobags are very very effective and if you use them correctly you don't need anything else

MortifiedAdams · 15/10/2013 22:58

add a blanket over the growbag or an extra layer under his pjs. DDs room is cold, she has an oil filled heater in there which we put.on low during realpy cold spells.

valiumredhead · 15/10/2013 23:24

Bell-not as thick as me with a big scar on my legGrin

ClaimedByMe · 15/10/2013 23:27

I have a pic on my profile it's taken in a&e after an incident wih at hot water bottle...

sashh · 16/10/2013 08:42

I feel completely dense asking this but what is the problem with hot water bottles? I don't have one in the house in case anybody is concerned, just wondering.

I was filling one some weeks ago, at the same time my arthritis was in a flare up, my leg/hip went into a spasm and I poured just boiled water over my boobs.

As an adult I could get myself straight into the shower and sit under cold water for, not sure how long, I phoned a friend to come round from the shower and was still there when he arrived.

The marks are fading and there is no permanent damage.

A small child could get scalded or burned by a hot water bottle, if they can undue it they could be burned quite badly even if the water is not as hot as mine was.

Gonna put the pic on my profile for a few days if anyone wants to see what hot water can do.

ClaimedByMe · 16/10/2013 09:00

Sassh I still have a little scarring and I scolded myself a year past March :(