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Lucy asks:
When is it time for your child to have a pillow and blankets or duvet in bed? My toddler is 18 months old and she still lies flat in her cot and wears a grobag. She sleeps well like this but nagging grandparents - who tell me that she'd be more comfy with pillows etc - have put doubt in my mind. What do you think?
Here's life coach Joanne's reply:
Dear Lucy
So let me get this straight: Your child is sleeping perfectly fine, and someone is suggesting that you change things? So exactly how big was the bucket of water you then threw over their head?
Having an experienced grandparent on hand can be a lovely blessing, but it has its down side too. A lot has changed since they brought up their children, and their memory has probably skipped a few of the details too. If you were to believe everything Granny says, your baby would be weaned by 3 months, potty trained by a year, and enjoying cups of tea in its bottle from birth.
Grobags weren't around for the previous generation, so using one may seem a little strange, hence the suggestion of a "proper" bed. But ultimately this is your call as a parent, so stick to your instincts. Don't dismiss all of Granny's advice, but there are times when you will smile, nod politely, then disregard everything that follows.
Pillows and quilts can be safely used once your baby is over a year. At this age a child can roll out of the quilt if it's too hot. Many children do start to move into beds once they're past 12 months - either because they start climbing out of the cot, or because the cot is needed for a sibling on the way. But if your child is sleeping well, seems happy and you don't need the cot for any other reason, why rock the boat?
Best wishes
Joanne
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