Bed Comforters for Kids

Comforter Basics

• A child's comforter is an insulated blanket. It is used to keep your child warm, and sometimes as a pad of softness over the mattress. Before choosing one, it is helpful to understand comforter characteristics and variety. Similar to quilts, comforters are divided into sections. Unlike quilts, however, a comforter is not layered; it is made with a shell and filling. The shell is made of a solid fabric sewn into compartments; those compartments contain the comforter's fill material, which increases insulation. Comforters are generally sized slightly larger than standard bed surface dimensions so they can lay on beds with a small amount of draping over the edges.

Fabrics and Fills

• Fabrics and fill materials are a concern for parents and children. Various fabrics provide multiple degrees of comfort in contact with the skin; various fill materials have different characteristics with regard to insulation, safety and the potential to trigger allergies. Cotton is the most common shell material, followed by polyester. Silk is very comfortable, but more expensive. Fills include wool, shredded silk, batted polyester, hemp fabric and small feathers called down.

Health and Safety

• Health and safety are paramount when selecting children's bedding. Wool and down fills are allergens for some children. Children with a history of allergies or asthma are probably better served with a synthetic fill. Hemp fabric shells have also been associated with allergic reactions. The fill material's volume-by-weight is called the "loft" of the material. High loft materials in thick comforters insulate very well, but for children under 12 months old, they are not recommended. Thick, soft comforters can bundle around sleeping babies' heads and block their airways.

Variety

• Children's comforters are available in a rich variety of colors, styles and motifs. Matching them to your kid's bedroom color schemes is relatively easy. For those willing to shop online, there are plenty of motif comforters that match the age, interests and gender of your child. Big box stores carry comforters with the television or movie motif of the day, and are generally affordable. For children to remain satisfied with the comforter as they grow older, however, a solid, neutral color may be the best bet.