When you’ve suddenly got a little one in your life, the predicament about what you should feed them and what they should wear can be more than a bit stressful in the beginning. This is especially true for new parents who are entirely inexperienced and might be getting mixed advice from all the other parents they know.
We often like to joke about how babies are forever keeping their parents up at night, but it’s less fun for the parent involved. We are here to provide some advice for those parents suffering from a lack of sleep.
Your baby’s comfort is paramount to their health and your sleep. Today, we will be talking about the different types of blankets you might need for your child and how many you need in total.
The Different Types of Baby Blankets
Differentiating between the different types of baby blankets is more than just telling the difference between them. You’ll also learn about when to use each blanket so that you know the best way to keep your baby comfortable and the temperature cool.
Receiving Blankets
Receiving blankets are your typical square, yard-long blankets that are incredibly soft. These are usually the first blankets parents get their hands on, whether they are hand-me-downs or fresh off the shelves. They are typically extra soft and easy to clean, and their thinness makes them quite adaptable.
They are perfect for lying beneath your baby when you change their diaper, laying over your baby when being nursed, or merely wrapping them up when naptime.
Swaddling Blankets
Swaddling blankets are less common, as many people use receiving blankets for the same purpose. However, many still prefer to get a dedicated swaddling blanket because it saves their receiving blanket for more appropriate tasks.
It is also good for when their baby begins to outgrow their receiving blanket. These blankets are most easily identifiable by their snaps or Velcro straps that allow you to fasten the blanket and keep your baby swaddled easily.
Security Blankets
Security blankets are less for swaddling and everyday use and are more for cuddling and calming your baby. These are usually soft but thick for your baby to hold onto, with a more interesting texture for your baby to feel. They also usually come with a stuffed animal, such as a friendly little teddy bear, for your baby to snuggle up to help keep them comfortable.
Sleep Sacks
Sleep sacks are cute little blankets that are similar to sleeping blankets – except they are bite-sized for baby bodies. Sleep sacks are best for babies who are often restless and move around a lot in their sleep.
You can get them in various types, with thinner ones for those in warmer parts of the world and thick, woolly ones for colder places in the world. They are also great for preventing the more wriggly babies from getting all wrapped up and tangled in their bedding.
Brain-stimulating Blankets
Brain-stimulating blankets are the final type of blanket we’ll be covering, mostly because they are the least popular, as many parents are dubious about their actual practical use. They are intended to help with a baby’s development by providing various stimulating inputs with a simple blanket.
This can include bright, vibrant colors, different recognizable shapes and patterns, and even textures. This is best used during your baby’s younger months to get the best results from the stimulation.
How Many Baby Blankets Do I Need?
How many blankets you get is entirely up to you, but the recommended amount you get is at least two of each type above. If you don’t see the need for it, you might be able to get away without a brain-stimulating blanket or sleep sack, which will save you some cash to afford the other blankets.
The reason you’ll want more than one of each is to rotate them when one is dirty. This means you’ll always have a blanket available for your baby while one is in the wash. As we all know, babies are quite messy, so you’ll always have at least one dirty blanket to clean.
You might also want to consider your blankets’ material to get multiple types of blankets based on what materials are available. For example, if possible, get two or three different types of swaddling blankets – one thermal, one fleece, and one minky. This means you can get better control over the comfort the blankets afford.