29.09.2022

What Is a Receiving Blanket?



Over the course of your pregnancy and preparation period for your newborn baby, you’ve probably come to realize there are a lot more baby products on the market than you realized. Swaddles, receiving blankets, bibs, burp cloths, newborn towels, security blankets, footed pajamas—the list goes on. For the first few months of your infant’s life, keeping them warm and helping their body to maintain a normal temperature is essential, so many new parents stock up on baby blankets throughout the first year, but there are so many kinds to choose from.


A receiving blanket is one of the most common coverings that parents may acquire as a baby shower gift or when getting ready for the baby’s arrival. Made from thin, soft material—often cotton, flannel or plush—and typically about 30 inches by 30 inches, a receiving blanket is an extremely versatile accessory that you’ll find yourself using for almost everything. This staple baby item originally got its name from the custom of wrapping a newborn child in this type of covering immediately after birth, before he or she was “received” by the mother for the first time.


The most obvious, and common, use for a receiving blanket is to wrap your little one up and keep him or her warm. These soft cover ups provide a baby with security and heat while the thinness of the material allows for some air flow to prevent overheating. Receiving blankets are easy to bring with you everywhere and can be laid on the ground to provide your baby with a quick, safe place for tummy time, all without needing a play mat. Receiving blankets are perfect for blocking the wind on a stroller ride or keeping the baby warm in their car seat.


Receiving blankets are one of the most useful items you can buy and are available in an assortment of fabrics and designs for both boys and girls. When you and your baby are on the go, you can quickly convert this comfy blanket into a convenient changing area for him or her. No need to purchase a travel changing mat—receiving blankets provide cushioning and comfort to lay the baby on anytime and perform a quick diaper change in any public restroom.


While you’ve probably thought about or already purchased burp cloths designed to throw over your shoulder when burping your baby after a feeding, receiving blankets can serve the same purpose. Babies spit up a lot in the few first months, so you may find yourself going through burp cloths often. Receiving blankets are the perfect replacement when you’re low on cloths, and most are designed to be machine-wash friendly, making cleanup a breeze. If you’re venturing out with your newborn, there’s no need to load up the diaper bag with too many extra items. Throw a receiving blanket in the bag and let it double as a burp cloth while you’re out and about.


What Is The Difference Between A Muslin & A Swaddle?


When you’re shopping for your new baby, you’ll have undoubtedly come across muslins, swaddles and the term baby blankets at some point. After all, they are considered one of the number 1 essentials for baby. Why? Because they can be used for so many different things!


When it comes down to purchasing, what exactly is the difference between a muslin and a swaddle though? Do you need one of each? Do they have different uses? These are common questions because the different names give that inkling that they might be different. Don’t panic. We explore these two products to arm you with the knowledge you need to buy your baby the correct products.


Essentially, muslins and swaddles are the same thing, the only difference is the name! Although the huge market of muslins and swaddles means that they do come in a huge selection of styles, sizes and thicknesses.


But there are some differences when it comes down to the fabrics used for muslins and swaddles. Muslin is a type of cotton gauze which usually comprises of a number of layers. This creates breathability and absorbency, these muslins are usually a lot larger. We can vouch for this with our generously sized organic muslins for baby, which are just uber soft, cosy and breathable. Whereas, swaddles or swaddle blankets are typically loose cloth swaddles. These are usually slightly thinner and often designed to be worn/swaddled by the baby.


Additionally, Swaddle is not just a name of a product. Rather it is a way to wrap your baby which can be done with a muslin or swaddle, or whatever you like to call it!


Swaddling a baby involves wrapping your baby up in the muslin, nice and firmly. This mimics that sensation of still being in the womb of their mum. This can provide comfort and help baby to settle. Swaddling is a technique that is used more often on newborn and young babies who have difficulty settling.


Swaddling aside, muslins and swaddles can be used for so many different purposes which is what makes them such a great all rounder. You can never have enough muslins for your baby as they come in handy for the strangest of situations. From emergency nappy changes, to breast feeding covers and a blanket, the muslin really is the superhuman of the baby accessories world. This is what makes them a baby must have item.


What Is The Difference Between A Muslin Swaddle Blanket And Muslin Square And Why Do We Need Them?


If you are a mum, you probably already know the answer to this question by now. You might also say that muslin swaddles and muslin squares are among the most essential items a mum-to-be could have. If you’re pregnant for the first time - or starting to think about beginning a family - then you might have mums or friends that are mums telling you that muslins are a must-have. This much is certainly true. But what is the actual difference between a muslin swaddle and a muslin square? I know I have had this question posed to me directly by customers more times than I can remember.


So what is the difference? Well, simply put, a muslin swaddle blanket is a large muslin made from cotton or bamboo; it’s light, breathable, and mothers all over the world use them to swaddle their babies. My first daughter, Penelope, now almost five, loved being swaddled as a newborn. Newborns have just spent about 9 months safely tucked away in their mummies’s tummies, so being out can be a little strange. Being swaddled helps babies feel safe and secure. It also helps them to adjust to the new world they find themselves in, and (perhaps most importantly for new mums!) many mums find it helps their new borns sleep better, for longer, more soundly. Being swaddled also helps keep those flailing arms still, so helps little babies sleep better by not needlessly waking themselves up. Make sure to read safety tips about swaddling from a reputable website, where you can also find advice about how best to properly swaddle a baby.


Large muslin swaddle blankets are also great to use as covers when you’re breast-feeding in public and feel the need for a bit of privacy. They also act as great pram covers, sun shades, cot covers, wonderfully light, and welcomingly breathable in summer months, they often become security blankets for older babies, and most importantly they create brilliant super hero capes for later in life!


How to Make a Baby Blanket


If you ask us, learning how to make a baby blanket and gifting that to expecting parents is one of the best gifts you can give. They’ll always need a blanket to keep their little one warm and you’ll get the satisfaction of making something lovely from scratch and seeing their faces like up when you gift it! Baby blankets are also simple sewing projects for beginners and great ways to practice some of your basic techniques.Just in case you’re as in love with the idea of making homemade sewn baby blankets for those you love as we are, if not more, here are 15 of the cutest, simplest, and nicest looking designs we’ve come across in our never ending search for great ideas.


The beauty of being able to make something yourself is that you can choose the features and details, so why make something single sided when you can make it double sided instead? We love the way Taking Care of Monkey Business used two different types of cozy fleece fabric to make a blanket that’s soft no matter how you wrap it but has some contrast too. You can learn how to create a baby blanket in 30 minutes.


If you’re going to make a blanket that has some personality to it, would you actually rather create an adorable little character with it? Then we have a feeling you’re going to get along very well indeed with this bunny rabbit blanket that’s made complete with ears, an embroidered face, and little hands to hold. We love the contrasts in colour and pattern! Get the full details for making your own on Sew Toy.


What if your idea of the perfect baby blanket is actually a quilt, but you’re a total beginner who has only ever done smaller quilting projects before? In that case, we think you’ll find this helpful starter’s guide from The DIY Mommy very helpful indeed! They walk you step by step through the process of making a double sided, patchwork pieces quilt with a lovely binding border.


Just in case we caught your attention with the idea of quilting but you’re not sure the design we showed you above is quite what you have in mind, here’s one that’s slightly more advanced but still manageable! We love the way Debbie Jeske outlines this lovely striped squares quilt in a nice, clear way.


Baby Sleeping Bags – Everything You Need To Know


It is claimed that baby sleeping bags can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by preventing overheating. Not much research has been done to investigate the claim that sleeping bags prevent overheating, but the products are becoming increasingly popular amongst new parents.


Babies are wriggly little things, and baby sleeping bags were designed to stop babies accidentally covering their heads during sleepy wriggles. Another benefit to sleeping bags is that they prevent babies from kicking off the covers in the night. Sudden temperature changes can disturb a baby’s sleep. It could also be said, however, that by preventing this freedom, some babies may become too hot in their sleep and wake as a result.


Baby sleeping bags are measured by age, and it is important not to place a baby in an oversized sleeping bag. If the sleeping bag is too big, the baby may be able to wriggle further into the bag and end up trapped inside. You can buy baby sleeping bags for newborn babies, although most parents choose to wait until their baby is a few weeks old before moving on from blankets. Younger babies like to feel secure and tucked in, so many prefer blankets. By the time your baby is around six weeks old, he should be ready to try a sleeping bag.


You should have a couple of tog options in your baby’s size, as this will ensure you are placing your baby in the correct sleeping bag for the temperature. The togs you need will depend upon your local climate as well as the season. Always check the temperature of the room your baby sleeps in, as this will help you to select the correct tog for the room. Always refer to the following guide:




24 degrees celsius or more – 0.5 tog




21 – 23 degrees celsius – 1 tog




18 – 20 degrees celsius – 2.5 tog




16 – 17 degrees celsius – 2.5 tog plus one blanket




Keep a room thermometer in the nursery at all times, and always check the temperature before choosing which sleeping bag to use each night. You can keep track of your baby’s temperature during the night by placing a hand on his tummy. If his tummy feels hot to the touch, he needs a lower tog. Do not try to gage the temperature by touching his hands or feet because it is normal for these to be much cooler.

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