What Do You Use Receiving Blankets For?

Many parents look to buy receiving blankets for their babies shortly after they are born. In fact, these types of blankets are a very popular baby shower gift because of how useful they are.

If you have no idea what a receiving blanket is, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be discussing everything that you need to know about receiving blankets, including what they can be used for and how to use them safely. So let’s find out more about these nifty little blankets.

What is a Receiving Blanket?

A receiving blanket is a very thin piece of material that can be used for many tasks. Many parents use a receiving blanket to keep their little ones warm while they sleep. However, it is also great for swaddling and burping.

These blankets are most suitable for newborn babies and children below the age of two. This is because they are quite small and will not fit toddlers or older kids.

You can normally buy receiving blankets in packs of two or three. Many parents enjoy holding onto these blankets for years after their child has outgrown them – they often serve as a keepsake or a sweet reminder of the early years of their little one’s life.

What Can a Receiving Blanket be Used for?

As we have already mentioned, most parents use receiving blankets to keep their little ones warm while they sleep. However, these blankets can be used for many other tasks, including:

• Swaddling
• Wrapping your baby up snugly after a bath
• Covering your baby up while it breastfeeds
• Keeping your baby sheltered while in a stroller
• A diaper changing mat
• A playmat or rest mat
• A sleep prop or pillow
• A burp cloth

As you can see, a receiving blanket is very useful when it comes to raising your young child. For this reason, many experienced parents recommend this product to expecting couples. However, if you have never used a receiving blanket before, it is very important that you research how to use it safely in order to avoid any health risks.

How to Use a Receiving Blanket Safely

It may sound extremely dramatic to say that blankets are potentially a health risk for your child, but there have been instances in which they have led to SIDS or suffocation. As the saying goes, it is better to be safe than sorry. For this reason, we have created a list of a few steps that you can follow in order to use a receiving blanket safely.

If Your Child is Under the Age of One, Use the Receiving Blanket as a Swaddle

If your child is under the age of one or can roll over on their own, it is recommended that you use the receiving blanket as a swaddle. In other words, wrap the blanket around their arms and legs, effectively tucking them in close to their body. This will help in preventing them from rolling over in their sleep, reducing the chances of your child suffering from SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Remove any Buttons, Zippers or Potential Choking Hazards

It is recommended that you buy your baby a receiving blanket that does not have any buttons and beads, as these are choking hazards. More so, their fingers, toes, or other body parts could potentially get trapped in a zipper. For this reason, a plain blanket is the first choice.

Tuck the Blanket in

Another potential hazard that you should be aware of when using a blanket to keep your young child warm is the risk of them being suffocated by it. There have been a few instances in which parents have found their baby’s head covered by the blanket, leading to suffocation. In order to avoid this, tuck the receiving blanket into the sides of their bed. This will reduce the chances of your baby moving around and ending up with their head under the blanket.

Final Thoughts

A receiving blanket is a thin piece of material that can be used for many tasks. But what do you use receiving blankets for? Many parents use a receiving blanket to keep their babies warm while they sleep. However, it can also be used for swaddling or burping.

In order to use a receiving blanket safely, you should be aware of a few health hazards and risks. For example, if your child is under the age of one or can roll over on their own, it is recommended that you use the receiving blanket as a swaddle. This will prevent them from rolling over onto their stomachs while sleeping, reducing the chances of SIDS.

It is also a good idea to buy a receiving blanket that does not have any buttons, zippers, beads, or other choking hazards. Lastly, in order to prevent the blanket from covering your child’s face while they sleep, tuck it into the sides of the mattress.