How many blankets does a newborn need

If you live somewhere cold or your baby will be born during a colder time of year, you may need multiple warm blankets for the car or stroller. There are various different types of baby blankets on the market. For example whilst a bulky fleece blanket may not be suitable for a newborn baby or use as a crib blanket, lots of mums like to use them out and about in prams to protect baby from extremely cold weather.

Newborn babies are less able to moderate their body temperatures in the first few weeks of life, so it is your job to do this it is best to layer lightweight blankets and add or remove clothing, and please bear in mind that folding a blanket will double its heat keeping capacity. Older babies can moderate their temperature so you may prefer to swaddle or layer up with baby blankets at this stage. I hope you find this blog post useful and wish you the very best of luck with your new arrivals.

Ultimately, when purchasing blankets for your baby or as a gift for a mother-to-be, keep in mind the purpose they will serve and shop accordingly. With the wide array available today, there is no reason you can not have exactly what you want! Skip to content With so many different options available for various types of baby blankets, it is sometimes difficult to know how to differentiate amongst them all! Not only is the function and size of the baby blanket important to keep in mind, but you should also remember that familiar and comfortable item will begin to hold a lot of significance to your baby, Picking out blankets for babies is always a lot of fun!

Types Of Baby Blankets Receiving Blanket The most versatile and multifunctional of the four main types of baby blankets is the receiving blanket. Security Blanket Parents should consider purchasing their new infant a security blanket because they provide a form of comfort for the baby.

Swaddling Blanket Swaddling blankets are similar to security blankets in that they help provide comfort, calm, and relaxation for the baby by keeping him enveloped.

Crib Blanket The last blankets to look for are baby blankets for a crib , and there are many types of these available, including crib sheets, blankets and crib bedding sets. Fleece Blankets Fleece blankets are becoming more popular to use as baby blankets. Sleep Sacks If your baby is too young for you to place a blanket in her crib safely, you can still keep her warm by putting her in a sleep sack. You can find them at: What is a receiving blanket?

What makes a receiving blanket different than a swaddling blanket? What can you do with receiving blankets? When your baby is young, receiving blankets are good for the following: Swaddling. They may even be used in the hospital to wrap wiggly newborns snugly. Wrapping baby up after a bath.

The soft material is gentle on the skin and helps retain body heat after a bath. Stroller cover to temporarily block sun or rain. Keep one in the stroller basket in case you need to add some extra shade or protect your little one from a rain shower.

Breastfeeding cover-ups. Their small size makes them easy to pop in the diaper bag for a little privacy when nursing on the go. As a bonus, they work well for cleaning up any dribbles or spit-up. Diaper changing mats. Oversized burp cloths for particularly messy eaters. Yeah, some babies have such amazing projectile spit-up skills that these seem like a reasonable size for burp cloths! Providing security as a lovey. You might also use receiving blankets for the following: Making them into sentimental mementos options like quilts, stuffed toys, or pillows.

Room decorations like banners or garlands. Even non-crafty types can cut unused blankets into shapes or strips to tie together for room decor. Cleaning rags all around the house. Aprons or drop cloths when doing art projects. Furniture covers or mess catchers when kids are sick. Baby blankets are useful for so much more than sleeping, and many blankets can be used to tightly and safely swaddle your newborn.

How many blankets you need for your baby ultimately depends on your personal preferences, where you live, and your baby, but these guidelines can help you figure out how many you actually need. If you do laundry every day, you will need fewer blankets. If you do laundry less frequently or send your laundry out, you may need twice as many. What types of blankets you plan to use and how you intend to use them has a huge impact on how many blankets you need!

Most muslin blankets are good for swaddling, as is the blanket your baby will be given at the hospital. Swaddling is an art form, in and of itself, that takes practice. There are a surprisingly large number of ways to swaddle, so make sure to read up on swaddling and ask your postpartum nurse for help!

Most people like having at least four or five swaddling blankets on hand to begin with. Our favorite way to use thick minky or sherpa blankets was for floor time and tummy time. Using a thick blanket or two helps keep them off the cold, germy floor. If you want to use blankets for floor time, having on hand is a good idea. It's also a good idea to choose machine washable bedding! Do not use a swaddling wrap that is lined with fleece when your baby is asleep, as your baby is too small to regulate their own temperature and can easily get too hot inside tight fitting fleece.

Once you are no longer swaddling, we recommend using a sleeping bag. This means there is no loose bedding and it is easier to keep your baby at a consistent temperature all night as a sleeping bag can't be kicked off.

Choose a sleeping bag with cotton or merino against your baby's skin. We do not advise using any products either on your baby or in baby's bed that are made from polyester fleece, as they often result in sweating It's also very hard for your baby to regulate their temperature inside synthetic fabrics. We also advise not to use duvets inside your baby's cot until they are over 1 year old.

Duvets are light and easy for baby to pull over their face, not designed to be tucked in or baby can slip down underneath. They are also often made from synthetic material. Resist the temptation to buy a cute matching duvet and bumper set for your newborn, they are just not a safe option until at least 1 year old! Feeling your baby's chest or ears is the easiest way to see if your baby is the right temperature. Red and sweaty is too hot and if they are cold to the touch then your baby is too cold!

Babies who are too hot are likely to be grizzly and unsettled, they may be sweating and their skin may look a bit mottled. If your baby has become dehydrated from being too hot, their fontanelle will have a 'dent' in it. Your baby has immature circulation, so try not to worry if her hands or feet are chilly. This is not an accurate indicator of the rest of the body's temperature. Also use your own temperature as a guide.

If you are cold and need to put on an extra layer, then your baby is likely to be cold too! We advise only using a heater to take the chill off your baby's room, as babies should not sleep in hot rooms. The recommended room temperature for a baby is 16 to 20 degrees, with around 18 degrees being ideal. That may feel chilly to you, as we are often used to room temperatures of more like 22 degrees.

If you feel your baby is still cold with the recommended room temperature, adjust their bedding and clothing. You will need to judge this based on so many factors - room temperature, how warm or cool your baby feels, what sort of clothing you use