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What Should I Consider When Buying a Baby Blanket?

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

When buying a baby blanket the first concern is safety. Safety by far trumps aesthetics, since children under a year old should not use certain blankets. However, one can find a safe baby blanket that also is aesthetically pleasing, since there are so many patterns and designs available.

A baby blanket that should always be avoided is the quilt that may come with a set for a crib. There is concern that fluffy quilts have been indicated in sudden infant death syndrome and may actually cause suffocation. This is also a good reason to avoid pillows in baby’s crib.

Baby blankets come in many colors, sizes, and materials.
Baby blankets come in many colors, sizes, and materials.

Since a baby can overheat more quickly than an adult, consider light, natural fiber blankets. A receiving baby blanket is a good beginning choice, and in fact many babies prefer to be swaddled at nighttime. The tightness feels similar to being in the womb. Cotton receiving blankets abound in color, pattern and price, and can usually be found in patterns matching nursery themes.

Because they accrue a great deal of lint early on, cotton flannel blankets should be washed 3-4 times before use.
Because they accrue a great deal of lint early on, cotton flannel blankets should be washed 3-4 times before use.

For a slightly older baby, one can choose a slightly heavier baby blanket, perhaps a cotton woven design. In any choice one should avoid a baby blanket with excess trim, fringe, buttons, or things that might be pulled off and accidentally swallowed. As well, a crib bumper is safer if it is plain and not used after the first year.

Some people prefer to dress the baby in blanket pajamas that will provide warmth without risking the baby being tangled up in the blanket. These can be garments resembling a nightgown with a closed bottom, or they may have feet at the bottom. Consider the weather before dressing a baby in excessively warm clothes.

Fluffy quilts and pillows can pose a safety risk, so most experts advise against using them in cribs.
Fluffy quilts and pillows can pose a safety risk, so most experts advise against using them in cribs.

With a cotton flannel baby blanket, one should wash the blanket 3-4 times before use, as the blanket tends to accrue a great deal of lint during early use. Several washings tend to eliminate most of the lint so that it will not be ingested or potentially irritate baby’s nose. An acrylic baby blanket, conversely, may get fuzzier as it is used, so it may not be the best choice. As well, man made fibers are warmer, which may not provide adequate ventilation in the night.

Woven blankets of either natural or man made fibers should have a tight enough weave that baby cannot get his or her hands stuck in the weave. Consider the crocheted baby blanket for daytime use only. These are suitably decorative, but again may trap small hands or feet in small holes in the pattern.

Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Tricia Christensen
Tricia Christensen

Tricia has a Literature degree from Sonoma State University and has been a frequent WiseGEEK contributor for many years. She is especially passionate about reading and writing, although her other interests include medicine, art, film, history, politics, ethics, and religion. Tricia lives in Northern California and is currently working on her first novel.

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Discussion Comments

wander

If you are considering buying a baby blanket, there are many natural fabrics that are available. These blankets can be made out of such materials as bamboo, 100% natural cotton, and wool.

These materials are wonderful, as a baby tends to have very sensitive skin. Because of this sensitivity you will want to avoid anything that uses heavy dyes or rough synthetic fibers.

If you want something very unique and aren't good at sewing, you can always put in a custom order online. You can choose from a plethora of fabric and detailing. They also do embroidery, so you can have the initials of your child added on.

Sara007

Before you consider buying a baby blanket you should ask if anyone in your family knits. You might be surprised at who comes forward, as knitting is becoming a popular hobby even among teenagers. Also, with a new baby, people are more than willing to help out.

The great thing about having the blanket made is not only superior quality, but you also end up with a wonderful keepsake that you can hold on to for years to come.

I still have the blanket that my grandmother knitted for me, many years after she passed away. Having one made is really worth it.

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    • Baby blankets come in many colors, sizes, and materials.
      By: candan
      Baby blankets come in many colors, sizes, and materials.
    • Because they accrue a great deal of lint early on, cotton flannel blankets should be washed 3-4 times before use.
      By: digitex
      Because they accrue a great deal of lint early on, cotton flannel blankets should be washed 3-4 times before use.
    • Fluffy quilts and pillows can pose a safety risk, so most experts advise against using them in cribs.
      By: hartphotography
      Fluffy quilts and pillows can pose a safety risk, so most experts advise against using them in cribs.