How to Choose Safe Bedding That Your Toddler Will Love to Use

One major milestone in a child’s life is the day he moves from the crib or the family bed, to the toddler bed. For some, it’s an exciting event. For most, though, it’s a long, hard process.

But helping your toddler move to the toddler bed can be made a little easier if you – and your toddler – choose the right beddings. Here are five tips to help you do just that:

Tip #1: When shopping for your toddler’s beddings, make sure that you shop with your toddler. This gives your toddler an emotional investment in their bed. It gives them ownership.

Then they will more likely want to use them.

Another reason why you should bring your toddlers shopping with you is because there’s no better authority on what your toddlers like to sleep in other than your toddlers themselves. So,…

Tip #2: Let your toddler choose which design he or she wants.

Now a lot of us parents like to flatter ourselves that we know what our kids like. Trouble is, kids can be full of surprises.

For instance, I always knew my son loved Elmo. He loved playing those Sesame Street online games where Elmo dances, and says letters, and plays peek-a-boo. If I had shopped for his beddings myself, I would have filled his bed with Elmo sheets, Elmo quilts, and Elmo pillows.

Well, apparently, Elmo was a good playmate but not considered comforting in a bedroom. Instead, my son chose the god of comfort and sleep for his bedmate: Garfield the Cat.

When I look at his bed now, with all those fat, contented, sleeping cats, it looks so cozy and warm and full of sleep – you know what I mean? – I wish I were small enough to sleep in it myself!

Of course, you can’t let your child do all the choosing. As far as material and quality is concerned, that’s your own call.

Tip #3: Choose toddler beddings made of natural materials, like cotton for summer and wool for winter.

These materials let your child’s body “breathe” better. That means when they sweat under the covers at night, their perspiration can evaporate instead of soaking their bed clothes and increasing their risk of fungal infections, or sudden chilling if they kick their blankets off in their sleep.

Tip #4: Check the stitches on their quilts, sheets and pillow cases. Make sure that no stitches are coming loose or undone. Tug a little at the material. This will help you get a feel of how long it will be able to withstand your toddlers’ pillow fights or – my son’s favorite – pillow surfing, and all those other lovely, rambunctious games that toddlers play whenever they see a soft, cushiony surface.

Tip #5: Finally, choose safe pillow fillings. Most children love down-filled pillows because they are soft, cool and comfortable. Molded hypoallergenic foam is the best for children with asthma and other allergies. Be wary of those “bean bags” with tiny foam beads – those are choking hazards. Never, ever give pillows with foam beads to children.