What Size Should a Baby Blanket Be?

Picking out the perfect sized blanket for your baby is a must when it comes to good parenting. There are many reasons why you don’t want your little one sleeping with a blanket that is too big or too small.

If the blanket is too big for them, it can potentially lead to health risks. On the other hand, if the blanket is too small, your child is very likely to get cold at night.

So, what is the perfect sized blanket for a baby? The answer to this question depends on a large number of factors, including the age and size of your baby and what you want to use the blanket for.

If you are having trouble deciding which blanket size is best for your child, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will be discussing a few things that you should consider before picking out a blanket for your little one.

Things to Consider When Picking Out a Baby Blanket

As we have already mentioned, it is very important that you pick out a perfect sized blanket for your little one. Many parents simply buy the first blanket that they see or the one that looks the softest and most comfortable.

While comfort is obviously a very important factor, many experts recommend making the size of the blanket the top priority. Below, we have made a list of a few things that you should consider before picking out a blanket for your baby.

Baby Blanket Safety

Blankets are actually essential for keeping your baby safe while they sleep. If your little one can roll over on their own, they may end up falling asleep on their stomachs. This can lead to a dreadful syndrome called SIDS, which causes the child to pass away in their sleep.

Blankets can be used to tightly wrap your baby up while they sleep, reducing the chances of them rolling over onto their stomachs. However, in order for this to be possible, you will need a blanket that is large enough to fold multiple times.

With that being said, you do not want a blanket that is too large, as this can increase the risk of other health concerns. If you end up not using your blanket as a swaddle, your baby could move around while it sleeps, causing the large blanket to cover their face. This creates the danger of suffocation.

Age and Size

Another very important factor to consider when picking out a blanket for your little one is their age and size. If your child is below the age of one, you should use a large blanket to swaddle them. As we have already mentioned, this will reduce the risk of SIDS.

Obviously, the larger your child, the larger the blanket that they will need. For more clarification, we will provide you with a detailed size guide further on in this article.

Baby Blanket Use

You should consider what you will be using the blanket for before you purchase one. If you plan on swaddling your child, you should look for a blanket that is slightly larger. To make the job easier for yourself, you could also simply buy a swaddle that comes with various folds and layers.

If the blanket is to be used in your child’s crib, make sure that it is no larger than 40 inches by 60 inches. However, as we have already mentioned, children under the age of one should not have loose blankets in their cribs. It is also important to remember that the blanket should not have any buttons, zippers, loose threads, or holes.

General Baby Blanket Size Guide

Here are the basics to keep in mind when choosing a baby blanket for your little one or a friend/family member’s baby.

Swaddle Blanket

When buying a swaddle blanket for your little one, ensure that it is no smaller than 40 inches by 40 inches and no larger than 48 inches by 48 inches.

Receiving Blanket

Receiving blankets should be between 18 and 36 inches squared in size.

Crib Blanket

As we have already discussed, crib blankets should be roughly 40 inches by 60 inches in size.

Multi-use Blanket

When it comes to multi-use blankets, you should look for one that is between 30 and 40 inches.

Final Thoughts

Picking out an appropriately sized blanket for your little one is very important for health and safety reasons. There are a few factors that you should consider before buying a product, including blanket safety, the age and size of your child, and what you will use the blanket for.

So what size should a baby blanket be? When buying a swaddle blanket for your little one, ensure that it is no smaller than 40 inches by 40 inches and no larger than 48 inches by 48 inches. Receiving blankets should be between 18 and 36 inches squared in size, crib blankets should be roughly 40 inches by 60 inches in size, and multi-use blankets should be between 30 and 40 inches.