Transitioning from Sleep Sack to Blanket Easily
As a mom of three kids, I’ve been through every kind of sleep transition.
When my oldest was finally ready to move from her sleep sack to a blanket, I thought it would be a breeze.
But like every milestone in parenting, it was full of surprises! I remember peeking at her on the monitor at night, worrying about whether she’d kick off her blanket and get cold, or if she’d have any idea how to stay comfortable without her cozy sleep sack.
Turns out, there are a few ways to help kids get comfortable with this change—and now that I’ve been through it with all three of my little ones, I’m excited to share my tips to help other parents make the switch smooth and worry-free.
Here’s what worked for us, plus a few tricks I picked up along the way!
This post may contain affiliate links. Full privacy policy and disclosure here.
How To Transition Baby From Swaddle To Blanket
1. Choose the Right Timing
First, make sure your child is ready! For my kids, around 18 months to 2 years was the sweet spot, but every child is different. Look for signs that they might be ready to make the change. For example, if they’re starting to dislike the restrictive feeling of the sleep sack, they might be ready to graduate to a blanket.
I also suggest making the transition when other routines are stable. If they’re going through a big change (like moving to a new room or starting daycare), it might be best to wait until they’re more settled.
2. Introduce the Blanket Gradually
My youngest daughter, Emma, was a little hesitant about her blanket at first, so I made the introduction gradual. One way to do this is to let your child get used to the blanket during nap times before switching over at night. I also started by having both the sleep sack and blanket together so she could get familiar with the new texture and idea.
A soft, lightweight blanket is ideal for this stage. I found that something breathable, like the Muslin Baby Blanket from Amazon, helped them feel cozy but not too warm.
3. Make It Fun
For my son, who was a bit more resistant, we turned the process into a “big kid” event. He got to pick out a special blanket in his favorite color, which made him feel proud and excited about the change. Choosing a blanket with a pattern or character they love can add to the excitement.
The Hudson Baby Plush Blanket with its cute designs was a favorite in our house. This helped him feel like his new blanket was something special, just for him!
4. Monitor Room Temperature and Layer Appropriately
Since babies are used to the warmth of a sleep sack, be mindful of the room temperature as they adjust to just a blanket. I usually dress my little ones in a cozy set of pajamas or a onesie with footies to make sure they stay warm even if the blanket falls off.
If you’re worried about room temperature, a digital room thermometer can give you peace of mind. Ideally, a baby’s room should be between 68-72°F for comfortable sleeping.
5. Practice Blanket “Training”
Yes, it sounds funny, but “training” your little one on how to use a blanket really helps! During bedtime routines, I would demonstrate tucking them in with the blanket, explaining that they could pull it up or down if they wanted.
You can even make it a game—like practicing during storytime or nap time, where you tuck the blanket over them and encourage them to adjust it.
My older two kids quickly got the hang of it, but my youngest took a little more practice. Remember, it’s a new skill for them, so patience is key!
6. Keep an Extra Blanket Nearby
In those early days of transition, I kept an extra blanket in the crib or bed in case they kicked off the first one. This way, I could pop into the room for a quick fix if they seemed chilly without too much disruption.
I love the Little Unicorn Cotton Muslin Blanket for this purpose. It’s light and easy to toss over them without waking them up if they kick their main blanket off.
7. Adjust Expectations
Transitioning to a blanket can take a few weeks for some kids, and that’s totally okay. My kids all took different amounts of time to feel comfortable, and it’s normal if your child needs a bit of trial and error. Don’t worry if they don’t take to it right away—some nights they may still want their sleep sack, and others they’ll reach for the blanket.
With time, they’ll get the hang of it and find their own comfort.
Making the transition from sleep sack to blanket can feel like a big step, but with these little tricks, you and your little one will be ready in no time. Just remember to be patient and flexible, and trust that they’ll get there when they’re ready. And who knows? You might even find that this is the start of longer, cozier nights for everyone.
