There are many types of baby blankets available. Having an understanding of all your options will help you to know what is best for your baby. To help you out, we have outlined the differences between receiving blankets and swaddling blankets.
What is the difference between receiving blankets and swaddling blankets? Swaddling blankets are typically larger than receiving blankets. The usual swaddling blanket size is 47 by 47 inches. Receiving blankets are 30 by 30 inches. Swaddling blankets can easily be stretched. Receiving blankets have little to no elasticity.
There is more to consider as you shop for blankets for your baby. If you are unfamiliar with this, it can be helpful to do some research before making a purchase.
Difference Between Receiving Blankets and Swaddling Blankets?
Receiving blankets are the blankets that are given to babies at the hospital. They receive the baby at the time of birth. They have a variety of uses after this first use. Parents use them to swaddle a baby, to provide shade, as a cover for nursing, as burp cloths, and to maintain a baby’s body heat.
Swaddling blankets are not given to new parents at the hospital and must be purchased at a store or online. These are used primarily to swaddle or wrap a baby. There are a variety of swaddle blankets available. Because not all new parents know how to swaddle a baby, there are some blankets with attachments that make swaddling easier.
Receiving blankets are not stretchy so they are often made of polyester, fleece, muslin, or flannel. You may also find them in organic cotton or bamboo. Swaddle blankets are typically made of gauze or cotton. They are more stretchy than receiving blankets, which is perfect for keeping your baby snug.
Swaddling blankets are typically flat and simple. Some include snaps or attachments to make swaddling easier. They might include Velcro to keep the blanket in place. All receiving blankets are flat. They do not have attachments or snaps due to the typical use of receiving blankets.
How Many Swaddle Blankets Do I Need?
The number of swaddle blankets you need varies by how often you plan to wash the blankets. You will need to wash them as they get dirty or spit upon. You will need one or two extra swaddle blankets to use while the other swaddle blankets are being washed. To cut down on laundry, you can buy several swaddle blankets so you always have plenty of them clean.
Swaddle blankets are often only used when a baby sleeps during naptime or at night. If you are using the swaddle blankets for other purposes, you may need more swaddle blankets. Some parents do use swaddle blankets as car seat covers, nursing covers, and more. If they are only used for sleep, you will not need very many.
In most cases, swaddle blankets are not taken out of the home, which helps to keep them clean for longer. Receiving blankets are often used as car seat covers or nursing covers, which means they have a greater chance of getting dirty. This is not true of swaddle blankets so you will need fewer swaddle blankets than receiving blankets.
As you shop for baby blankets, you should buy accordingly. Focus on buying more receiving blankets. You will get more use out of those. This will allow you to invest in a few nice swaddle blankets to use when your baby is sleeping.
Receiving Blanket Vs Muslin Blanket
Receiving blankets and muslin blankets are very similar. They are both used for the same general purposes, but some parents use muslin blankets for swaddling as well. There are still some differences between the two types of blankets.
Receiving blankets are made of polyester, fleece, muslin, or flannel. Muslin is a type of cotton weave. Muslin is very thin, loose, and breathable. Both receiving blankets and muslin blankets are made of loose cloth or fabric.
When your baby is first born at the hospital, he or she will be wrapped in a receiving blanket. This works because of an infant’s small size. Muslin blankets are good to use later on because they are larger in size.
Muslin blankets are often larger than receiving blankets because they can be used for swaddling. More material is needed in order to fully swaddle a baby. Receiving blankets are not as big because of how they are typically used. Most parents only use receiving blankets for swaddling newborn babies and use different blankets later on.
Can I Use A Receiving Blanket to Swaddle?
Receiving blankets may be used to swaddle a baby, but they will only be the proper swaddling size when the baby is an infant. If your baby is born larger, a receiving blanket may not need to be used. The small size often does not work for babies that are around nine or 10 pounds at birth.
If your baby is smaller, you can use a receiving blanket for swaddling. If you are wanting to swaddle your baby, you will need to search specifically for swaddling blankets. This will provide enough space and material to swaddle your baby comfortably.
If you use a receiving blanket for swaddling after the first few weeks, it will likely not be big enough for your baby. A larger blanket, such as a swaddling blanket, is made of more material, which allows for a more secure swaddle.
What Other Types of Baby Blankets Should Be Purchased?
There are plenty of baby blanket options available. They each have different uses so it is important to know which ones you need. The ones you choose should depend on your needs and what you want for your baby. Not all parents purchase all of these types of blankets for their babies.
A crib blanket is a blanket that can be secured to the crib. Then, your baby should be placed on top of this blanket. This ensures that your baby does not cover their mouth and nose with the crib blanket and suffocate while using it. The crib blanket may also be used to cover a car seat or for your baby to play on.
You may also purchase a security blanket for your baby. This is a small cotton flannel or fleece blanket. The purpose of this blanket is to provide your baby with additional comfort. Some security blankets have personalization, such as embroidery. They may also have a plush animal attached.
Some parents choose to buy sleep sacks. These are wearable blankets that are a safe alternative to standard blankets. Because babies can not pull these blankets over their mouths or noses, the risk of suffocation is minimized. They often feature a zipper and snaps. They are available in several different materials.
What to Look for in Baby Blankets
As you shop for baby blankets, there are a few important factors to consider. You want to make sure that you buy the right blankets for your baby. This will ensure that you are able to use the blankets as needed.
First, you should decide what type of blankets you want to buy for your baby. This will help you to know what to look for as you shop. If there are certain purposes you want to use the blanket for, search for blankets for those purposes.
Next, you need to make sure that the blankets you are buying are durable. Baby blankets should be kept clean to ensure your baby is not exposed to unnecessary germs. You will need to wash them regularly, which means you need durable blankets that will hold up in the washing machine.
Finally, it is a good idea to look at consumer reviews, if possible. This can help you to decide between one brand of blanket and another. This can give you a good idea about the blanket’s durability and how well it holds up with regular use. This will save you time, money, and energy.
Related Questions
Can Baby Sleep with Receiving Blanket?
You should be cautious when putting your baby to sleep. Plush toys, pillows, and blankets should not be placed in a baby’s bed until they are at least one year old. Having these items in a baby’s bed before they turn one year old may cause suffocation or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
Is It Good to Swaddle Baby at Night?
You may swaddle your baby at night, but it is essential to place your baby on his or her back. This prevents suffocation. You should stop swaddling a baby before they are two months old or when they begin to roll over. The swaddle can get loose and increase the risk of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
When Can Babies Sleep with Blankets?
Your baby should not sleep with a blanket without supervision. You need to keep an eye on your baby if they are sleeping with a blanket to lower the risks of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For your baby’s safety, you should only use blankets in his or her bed once he or she is one year old.
