Home     Everything Else     Key things to know about swaddling and receiving blankets
Key things to know about swaddling and receiving blankets

Key things to know about swaddling and receiving blankets

Being a new parent is as exciting as it is intimidating too! For the first few months of your baby’s life, it is essential to keep them warm. With so many different products, deciding what to buy for your baby can sometimes be challenging. Learning more about these products can help you make more informed decisions. Here, we discuss the different types of blankets that you may need for your baby.

What is a receiving blanket?
A receiving blanket is often one of the most gifted coverings given to parents at baby showers. It is generally square or rectangular, made from a thin, soft material such as cotton, flannel, or plush, and typically measures 30 x 30 inches in size, and can be used in many different ways, such as:

For warmth or to create a play area
The most common use of a receiving blanket is to wrap around your baby to keep them warm. They can be laid on the ground to create a play area for your baby, eliminating the need for a play mat. You can also use a receiving blanket to block the wind on a stroller ride or keep the baby warm in their seat during a car ride.

Changing mat
A receiving blanket is a great accessory to carry on the go. It can conveniently double up as a mat to change your baby’s diapers without exposing them to external surfaces. It saves the trouble of investing in a travel-changing mat, offering enough cushioning for the baby to lie comfortably.

Burping cloth
Although most of us have already invested in napkins or cloth to throw over the shoulder when burping our babies, you can also use a receiving blanket if you are in a pinch. Since these blankets are machine wash friendly, they can easily be cleaned once you are done, making them a safe option to have on hand.

What is a swaddling blanket?
Swaddling is a traditional practice where babies are wrapped in a thin blanket to recreate the environment of their mother’s womb and help them feel safe, secure, and calm. Swaddling blankets are made with the express purpose of swaddling the baby. They are smaller than receiving blankets and have two winged sides to make this process easier.
Also known as a two-in-one swaddle, this product allows you to wrap your babies snugly or leave their arms in or out, depending on the product. They are fitted with zippers, snaps, or Velcro to simplify the process and ensure it remains secure.
While a receiving blanket can be used in several ways for newborns, a swaddling blanket has only one function.

How do you swaddle a baby?
Whether you use a receiving or swaddling blanket, you must know how to wrap your baby up well to keep them safe and warm. The most common type of swaddle parents use is the traditional swaddle, which generally makes use of a receiving blanket and follows these steps:

  1. Fold the receiving blanket into a triangle, and place the baby in the center with their shoulders just below the fold.
  2. Place your baby’s right arm across their body. Pull the right-hand part of the blanket across the baby’s chest and tuck it under their body.
  3. Next, fold the bottom of the blanket up to cover the baby’s feet, and tuck it under the top of the swaddle.
  4. Lastly, place the baby’s left arm alongside their body, and pull the left side of the blanket across the baby’s chest. Tuck the edge under their body.

The swaddle should be a snug fit for the baby but must leave enough room around their hips for them to move their legs comfortably. If your baby has a hip condition such as dysplasia, speaking with a pediatrician before swaddling may be best to ensure the issue is not aggravated.

Generally, babies’ blankets have multiple options depending on what kind of swaddle they prefer – a traditional or a two-in-one swaddle. Consider adding both types of blankets (receiving and swaddling) to your registry, so you can try them out with your baby and see which one they prefer. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), swaddling is a safe exercise and can help babies relax and sleep better. You can stop swaddling your baby when they start learning to roll over, at the two-three-month mark.
When making a final choice on receiving blankets, one can never go wrong with cotton as it is the most popular fabric. It is even for baby outfits and other bedding essentials like fitted sheets.