What if your baby keeps kicking off their blanket while sleeping—could they catch a cold? Don’t worry; try these adjustments.

Many parents say their little ones are anything but "still" while sleeping—they squirm all over the place and constantly kick off their blankets. Parents often find themselves repeatedly tucking them back in, to the point where they’re afraid to even fall asleep themselves. Let’s look at some effective solutions.

I went through this myself two years ago. My baby was still quite young, and as autumn arrived, the weather became unpredictable with large temperature swings between day and night. Worried that my child might catch a cold, I would make sure he was covered with a blanket at night. Yet, every time I woke up during the night, I’d find that he had already kicked the blanket aside. When I touched his arms, they felt a bit cool, so I’d tuck him back in—only for him to kick it off again shortly after.

Because I was so worried he’d catch a cold, I couldn’t get a good night’s sleep myself. Eventually, I came up with a solution: I started dressing him in slightly thicker pajamas, using a separate, smaller blanket, and putting socks on his feet. This helped him sleep much more soundly; even if he felt too warm during the night and kicked off the small blanket, I didn’t have to worry about him catching a cold.

Many people might wonder: if it’s genuinely cold at night—to the point where a blanket is needed to stay warm—why doesn’t the child feel the cold? Why do they keep kicking the blanket off? In reality, this has to do with the developmental characteristics of children. Because they are young, their metabolism is faster than that of adults, which means they tend to feel hot more easily in the same environment.

How can you tell if your child is actually too hot?

A method I often use is to reach in and touch the back of the child’s neck. If there’s sweat there, it’s a sign that they are wearing too many layers or are covered by too much bedding—it’s definitely time to scale back a little. If you check the back of your child’s neck and find it feels a bit cold, it’s a sign that they are genuinely chilly—in which case, you should add an extra layer of clothing or provide an additional blanket.

A sleeping bag or a wearable blanket (sleep suit) can be a great help!

Many mothers have shared that they find these very useful—especially from late autumn to early spring, when nighttime temperatures drop. Using a sleeping bag or a wearable blanket is an effective way to prevent your child from kicking off their covers and getting cold.

How should you choose a sleeping bag or wearable blanket?

If you shop online, you’ll likely come across a wide variety of options. Don’t overthink it—simply choose a color or style your child likes, and ensure the quality is good; that’s usually all you need to consider.

My own child uses an off-white, cotton sleeping bag that I bought at a baby store back in my hometown. It’s very soft to the touch, and my child still loves wearing it—he says it’s very comfortable to sleep in. I’ve also noticed that his sleep quality has improved significantly since he started using it. If you’re interested, you might want to get one for your own little one!

If your baby is wearing a sleeping bag or a wearable blanket, do they still need a regular blanket?

Yes, they do—but you must be mindful of the blanket’s thickness. For instance, in late autumn or early spring, you can opt for a thinner blanket, while in the depths of winter—when temperatures hover around 0°C (32°F)—you can switch to a thicker one. This helps ensure your baby stays warm and avoids catching a cold.

So, how should you choose a blanket for your baby?

1. Have two blankets on hand—one thin and one thick—and swap them out based on the season.

2. Consider a modular (convertible) blanket system: these consist of an outer cover with a removable inner layer (insert). When it gets cold, you simply insert the inner layer to turn it into a thick, warm blanket. When the weather gets warm, you can remove the inner batting and wash the cover in the washing machine—it then becomes perfect for use during the spring and autumn.

Should a child share a blanket with an adult?

I wouldn’t recommend it; I’ve learned this the hard way. When my baby was little, he loved to snuggle close to me. I thought, "Why not just keep him in my arms while we sleep?" so I put away his own blanket. Before long, I realized he was covered in sweat. I had no choice but to get up in the middle of the night and bring his little blanket back out.

Some families also like to have their child sleep between the parents. If you notice your child constantly shifting upward during the night, it’s likely because they’re too hot—they’re essentially sandwiched between two "furnaces." Have you ever considered how that feels for the child?

If your child also tends to kick off their blanket at night, why not try making a few changes? Once they’re no longer too hot, the kicking might just stop!