Sleeping With A Duvet Hogger? They May Just Want A Hug

Each night you will most likely go to bed with an equal amount of duvet covering both you and your sleeping partner. If your partner is one for hogging the covers, you probably don’t wake up to the same sight in the morning. In fact, 32% of people who share a bed report being woken in the night by their partner hogging the duvet. If you are reading this and can’t relate, there’s a strong chance that you’re the sheet stealer.

3 reasons why your partner is hogging the covers

This isn’t a case of one size fits all. There are many reasons as to why some people are duvet hoggers and the reasons vary from person to person. Here are some of the possibilities as to why your warmth is being stolen away from you each and every night.

1. Temperature

If your partner is getting too cold at night, their natural instincts will be kicking in to do anything they can to get warmer. If that means stealing the covers from you, then so be it.

2. Comfort

There’s nothing more comforting than a nice warm hug from a big cosy duvet. Your partner may just prefer a cuddle from the covers rather than you in the night!

3. Sleeping behaviour

If you or your partner grew up with a sleeping companion such as a doll, teddy or blanket, this may have created an unconscious feeling of the need for a bit of security. Even if you don’t realise it, there may always be the thought in the back of your mind that if you aren’t completely covered up, the monster under the bed may get you!

Read More: Why Do I Get Cold At Night?

How to stop your partner from stealing the covers

There’s nothing more frustrating than waking in the middle of the night cold because your partner is hogging the duvet! Here are some tips on how to stop your partner stealing the covers:

• Give your partner a cuddle – If your partner has taken the duvet in the night, the simplest solution could be to give them a hug. This way, they will feel the warmth and security they may be desiring and you get to sneak back under the covers too.
• Put the heating on – Turning the heating on for a little while before going to bed will make the room and yourselves feel warmer. If getting too cold at night is the reason for the covers going MIA, this small action might be quite the long term investment.
• Wear warmer pyjamas – Putting the heating on might not work for everyone, especially if you’re then going to get too hot in the night. Wearing pyjamas that provide more warmth will work for both of you. You wouldn’t be as cold when the covers go walkabout and your partner may not feel the need to drag them off you in the first place.
• Find a sleeping companion – Going back to childhood habits might be the technique to ensure you get a full night of quality sleep. Finding a cuddly blanket or pillow could provide the extra comfort and warmth your partner needs.
• Buy an extra duvet – If you’ve tried all of the above and nothing seems to be doing the trick, it may be time to consider getting another duvet. Having a cover each may put an end to the middle of the night game of tug of war.
• Buy a bigger duvet – Whatever size your bed is, why not upgrade the duvet to the next size up. If you have a double bed, purchasing a king size duvet could be the solution to your problem. The more duvet surface area you’ve got available means you’ll be less likely to lose it all during the night.
• Tuck in the sheets – Tucking the bedsheets underneath the mattress can help to stop the movement of the covers in the night – even if you just tucked them into your side of the bed to prevent your partner from ripping them off you.
• Get a smaller bed – Sometimes the reason for a cover hogger is simply being too far away from your sleeping partner. If you have a kingsize bed, it might be an idea to consider purchasing a double instead.

Whatever the reason for the duvet hogging, it is important to remember that your partner is most likely stealing the covers whilst they’re asleep. Refraining from abruptly pulling the duvet back off your partner or arguing in the night will allow you to resolve this issue without losing even more sleep. Try talking to your partner in the daytime to find out their sleeping needs. It could be a case of a simple and easy solution.

Are you a duvet hogger who has found a trick to stop you from stealing the covers in the night? Let us know in the comments below.