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