I have 3 boys who sleep in the same room (triple bunk bed believe it or not!). They are 2, 4 and 5, and don't like to wear socks to bed or the footed PJ's. I am concerned whether they are warm enough at night. We had a space heater in there, but I was too nervous they would put something over it and it could catch on fire, or the noise would keep them awake, so I took it out. Then I put small heating pads on low under their mattress covers, not sure if that's ok or the electro-magnetic fields (??) are bad. They seem to like the heating pads.
Any advice how you keep them warm safely? THANKS!
If they don't like wearing socks or footed pj's then they are probably already plenty arm and the socks are just making them hot. They are old enough to wake up and pull the covers back over or let you know if they are cold, I wouldn't worry about it.
During the colder weather my kids have an extra duvet , I always make sure curtains are closed as this helps to keep the heat in and at night I leave the door open slightly so that the heat circulates better , for some strange reason in my house especially closing the door completely makes the room colder!!
flannel sheets and kids sized snuggies. sleeping bags work too.
I would suggest electric blankets over a heating pad. Heating pads aren't desinged to be slept with.
The other option is to just add another blanket to their beds.
And the final option is .. turn up the heat a little.
Kids are resilient. The 4 and 5 year old are certainly old enough to deal with their own blankets or complain if they are cold. Give them a sheet and blanket over them. Then put a blanket or comforter at the foot of the bed and tell them to pull it up if they get cold.
Remember, the guy up top is probably pretty warm at the top of a triple bunk where heat rises. As for the 2 year old, I sort of feel the same way - if he is old enough for a bed, he is probably old enough to fend for himself. Otherwise, I might foce him into footed pjs.
So, just give them options - light sheet, light blaket, down comforter, etc. I would stay away form anything electric or corded for safety (fire, electrocution) and health (energy/electromagnetic fields). If there are drafts, focus instead on caulking windows, using thermal blinds, adjusting vents, insulating the attic, hatever works.
Sleeping bags are easy whether they are zipped up or not. It could be your kids feet get all toasty while they sleep. My son's feet get very hot whether they are under a blanket or not. Mine were the same way when I was a kid. I'd stay away from anything electrical in their beds or in the room (choking hazard with the cords, possible burn hazard or electrical shock if anyone wets the bed). Keep the door open at least slightly to keep the warm air circulating (my son's room gets cold if the door stays closed).
Heating pads are not meant to be slept with. Also, I feel the same about the space heater.
My daughter doesn't like a traditional blanket, but we did find Halo Sleepsacks in toddler sizes on Amazon. She loves that and it keeps her warm. Your older two are old enough to be able to pull a blanket up if they are cold. I would imagine if they are cold, they would agree to wear socks. They may be fine.
We also keep our heat up a little. It is an extra cost, but worth it to keep our daughter warm.
Have they complained that they are cold? I wouldn't worry about it as long as you have given them a comforter or blanket...also - if their rooms are extremely cold and you don't have central heating, try to make sure their windows are insulated with either thicker panes or thick curtains - that should be good enough. Usually my kids will tell me if they are cold or have a problem...the older ones should be able to tell you if they have cold feet....
warm blankies aren't enough?
khairete
S.
We have "heavy babies" for our girls--dolls filled with millet or buckwheat and scented with lavender that we microwave for a couple of minutes then slip into their beds before they get in so it's warm when they go to bed and warm when they sleep. The grains retain the heat for quite a while, then it seems to maintain it pretty well from the body heat when the dolls are held closely. Since you have boys, you could just use a big bean bag shape or animal if you're creative with the sewing machine. Ours are lined with muslin to give them more strength and cushion. Just an idea.
Have you checked their feet while they're sleeping to see if they are cold? Believe it or not I have hot feet and will sleep with a sheet, blanket, comforter and stick my feet out of the covers to keep them cool. My son is 3 1/2 and likes his shoes off and sleeps with nothing on his feet in a 68 degree room. So perhaps they are just fine! Good luck.
Did you know that there is a company that makes heated bed pads for all size beds. I found the ones for my kids at Bed, Bath and Beyond, they ALL like getting into a warm bed at night. They each can control how warm the bed is, so they are comfortable. You could also get flannel sheets, I use the flannel on the top sheet, because heat rises and it just feels better to me. Oh yeah, for the hermit crabs in the boys' room, I have a small heater tht I got a Target, it can let set a temperature range, and if it tilts past 45 degrees, it turns off.
I maintain the heat at an appropriate temperature. Also, sometime before age 2, my daughter started liking bed covers.
