Keeping blankets on a problem? Ideas to keep them warm

I know, it's summer and I'm talking about keeping a child warm at night!  Whilst keeping them warm at night is not an issue now, it will be winter before you know it and lets be honest it is winter somewhere in the world.  Owen can't keep blankets on, he can't pull them up.  For this reason, blankets are of no use to us and keeping him warm in winter is difficult.

Some ideas I have:

Sleepsuits/Onesies Layering:

I rejoiced in the recent popularity of the sleepsuit.  Suddenly there were sleepsuits in all shapes, sizes and fabrics.  I even found some lightweight summer style ones made of Tshirt material.  Not knowing how long the popularity would last, I bought up big at the end of last two seasons.  I bought some in each and every size, so that as he grows we will have the right size for him.  I got some bargains too!!!

Owen doesn't just wear the sleepsuit.  He wears Pjs and just before bed we put the sleepsuit over the top.  Whilst this does the Autum/Spring months, this is not always enough, not for the coldest nights in winter.  So the below are solutions for then.

Grobags:

These are very expensive (usually around $100 each), you can get special needs ones too (the largest size is for 6-10 years).  There are varying degrees of thickness (togs) for the different temperatures throughout the year.  They are basically a sleeping bag, with arm holes.   I was fortunate enough to get Owen's Grobags on special for $40 each from Trade Secret.  I have seen them on the Grobag site for half price at the end of season and there is a similar product called the Slumbersac (note I have not tried this one). Owen is very tall for his age so our Grobags probably won't last past 9 for him therefore they are not a long term solution.

Sleeping bags:

Sleeping bags are made for all ages, you can get varying degrees of thickness.  For my solution, you need a non hooded one that zips all the way around (to make getting it on and off easy)..............But how do you keep it from slipping down (and off) or up ( and over the child's head)?    Simple, you also need one of those Physio Straps I'm so in love with to wrap around their chest (see picture).

You will need a couple of sleeping bags. So that you can have one on and one in the wash.   I'm not sure if you are technically supposed to wash them in the washing machine but I put Owen's ones (zipped up) through the "hand wash" cycle on my machine.   I have a top loading "front loader" (one without the agitator).   It seems to wash well and there is no damage to the bags thus far.  They were only really cheap (I think one of the Big W $12 ones) so I am not concerned if that goes haywire. There are a broad range available and range from really cheap (as in the ones I got) to really expensive.   If you do your research you might find one that is technically machine washable.

I'd love to build on the sleeping bag idea and somehow fashion a sleeping bag out of a quilt (maybe even a coverlet that is pretty to look at).  With the zip all the way around.   That would make washing a darn sight easier.  That is a job for another day and possibly another blog post if I ever get a chance to do it.

Update 24/06/2017  ................I finally built on the idea. Here is the link of the blog about it http://hintstipsandhacks.blogspot.com.au/2017/06/another-idea-to-keep-warm.html

Iron on safety...................

One morning (when Owen was sleeping in) I went in to check on him and found his head up his pillowcase.............whilst his pillow was also in the pillowcase!  Lucky his head was facing away from the pillow, so he could still breath. I'm sure I lost a few years off my life when I first spotted him. I was shocked as Owen is 8 and 1/2.  He can sit, he can crawl and he can pull a hat off , pull his glasses off or pull a towel away from his face but he still got himself into trouble.  That day I came up with a solution.  Sewing not being one of my favourite pastimes (nor am I that great at it)  I bought Iron-on Velcro and now they Velcro shut to stop it from happening again.

Secondly...........so when we are checking Owen's baby monitor, we can easily see what he is doing (you know when he is supposed to be sleeping but isn't)  we have ironed on  a strip of reflective tape to his sleep-suit style PJs.  Whilst he can't see the shininess it is like the light from a lighthouse to us. It occurred to me, it might also be worthwhile for those who have escapees to do this with their PJ's, just in case.  It would make it easier to find them but also for others out and about to also see them. 

You can buy both these products on e-bay (relatively cheaply). 

Mealtime equipment

I thought I would share some of my favourite mealtime equipment and storage.

Heinz suction bowl.................This attaches to Owen's tray and won't go anywhere, that is he can't just toss it (which he would dearly love to do). I put it in the same spot all the time to ensure if his vision isn't working well he can find it.  Only tip though is to leave the suction attachment for a few minutes before you try and attach the bowl.  If you don't it will not have "set"  and will move.  As with all suction devices, it won't work on every surface.

Dymples (Big W), plastic toddler spoons.  Unfortunately they don't sell them any more but they had a nice thick, easy grab handle, were in bright colours so you could see them.  

Heinz sipper cups.  Owen really likes the spouts on these.  
I take the flow controller out.

Storing all these things??


Well my kitchen is about 20 years old and does not have lots of drawers like all the modern kitchens do, so I bought drink tubs from a "cheap" shop for around $3 and put them in the cupboard, for things like sipper cups, drink bottles etc pulling it out when I need it.  I did try washing baskets but are just too big (these are just a little bit smaller).