When can a baby sleep with a duvet?
Short answer: Not before 12 months. Duvets and quilts are not recommended under 12 months because of the risk of overheating and the head being covered.
Here is the detail behind that answer, taken from current UK guidance from the NHS and the Lullaby Trust.
Things to check
- Check the mattress size it takes and buy a mattress that fits snugly.
- Side guards help stop your child rolling out in the early weeks.
- A low height makes it easier to climb in and out on their own.
What the guidance says
- Pillows, duvets and quilts are not recommended for babies under 12 months because of the risk of overheating and the head being covered.
- The Lullaby Trust says soft or bulky bedding such as quilts, pillows and duvets has been shown to increase the risk of SIDS by three times.
Related questions
What is a toddler bed?
A low bed sized for a cot-bed mattress (often 140 x 70cm), usually with side guards, for children moving out of a cot.
Shop at Baby Kingdom
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Check each product page for its exact dimensions, mattress size, age and weight limits and safety standards.
More advice
Can a 6 week old have a pillow?Can an 18 month old sleep with a duvet?Where should I put a toddler bed in the nursery?Do I need a toddler bed?From cot to toddler bed: a step-by-step moveYour 2 year's sleep space: a safe-sleep guideAll toddler beds and big-bed moves advice →
Sources
- The Lullaby Trust: Baby mattresses and bedding (accessed 2026-10-21)
General information only, not medical advice. Always follow your product's instructions. If you are worried about your baby, contact your GP, health visitor or 111. In an emergency, call 999.