The 5 Best Baby Blankets

There are so many baby blankets on the market. They come in different sizes, shapes, and materials, giving you plenty of options no matter what you plan on using the blanket for. Beyond just wrapping your baby, you can use blankets to catch spit up, provide a buffer between your baby and the floor, and create shade for a baby in a stroller or playpen. When shopping for baby blankets, safety is a top concern. You need to make sure the one you purchase is safe for their use. The material and size are also important factors. You don't want your baby wrapped in a rough piece of fabric or swaddled in a blanket that's way too big. If you're looking for the best baby blanket, this roundup can help. It features five incredible options that are perfect to use with your baby.

Hudson Baby Printed Mink with Sherpa Backing

Perfect for Everyday Use

This soft plush blanket is gentle and can be your cozy "go-to" baby blanket.

Most Cozy

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Do you need a soft, plush blanket to use with your baby? This cozy blanket is a great fit. It’s available in tons of adorable patterns, and is a large 30 inch by 40 inch size. You can easily use it to cover a car seat or stroller. This blanket is made from 100% polyester material, so it will be very durable. It is easy to wash and dry, and is lightweight. With two thick layers, it’s very warm and provides a comfortable place for baby to rest if you want to spread it out on the ground.

Pros

Several color options
Thick and warm
Large baby sized blanket

Cons

The pattern is only on one side

Custom Catch Large Personalized Baby Blanket

A Personalized Blanket for Your Baby

You can personalize this fleece blanket to customize it for your baby.

Best Personalized Option

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Do you want a personalized baby blanket? A blanket with their name on it is a great keepsake your child can use for years to come. This personalized blanket has so many great things going for it. It’s large, measuring in at 36 inches by 36 inches. It is made from a soft fleece, with a wide satin border that’s comforting. The material is lightweight, so it won’t feel too heavy on your little one. When you order this blanket, you can indicate the name you’d like inscribed. Rather than using raised embroidered letters, the letters are created in the first layer of the fabric.

Pros

A large blanket
Personalizable
Soft fleece and silk

Cons

The blanket is a little thin, so it may not be great for cold weather use

Hudson Baby Unisex Baby Plush Blanket with Security Blanket

Security Blanket Set

With a super soft blanket and a security blanket, this set is a great value.

Best Security Blanket

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A security blanket can help your baby feel safe and secure. It often becomes a favorite of the child, and gets brought along wherever you go. This set contains a large baby blanket that measures 30 inches by 30 inches, and a smaller security blanket that’s 14 inches by 14 inches. The security blanket is attached to a cute stuffed animal head. It’s perfect for a baby to grasp and chew on, and is small enough that you can easily bring it along in a car seat. The blankets are both soft, made from a polyester plush fleece that’s super cozy. There are several animal options available, so you can pick the one that fits your child’s personality the best. And considering the fact that you get two different products, this set is a great deal.

Pros

Has two different blankets for your baby
The security blanket has a cozy animal your child can love
Several options available

Cons

The colors aren’t always as bright as pictured

Swaddle Blanket, Adjustable Infant Baby Wrap

Securely Swaddle Your Baby

When you swaddle your newborn in this luxurious blanket, you can help them feel snug and safe.

Best for Newborns

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Swaddling is an age-old practice that involves wrapping a baby securely in a thin blanket. It reminds them of the womb, and can help newborns feel safe and comforted. And while you can use a regular baby blanket to swaddle your newborn, your sleep deprived arms may not remember which way to fold it up. That’s why these adjustable swaddle blankets are so handy. Unlike a regular blanket, they are very intuitive and easy to use even when you’re exhausted. There’s a simple three-step process from start to finish. When you’re done, they’re wrapped securely. It is difficult for babies to squirm out of. These swaddle blankets are lightweight, and made from breathable premium cotton. You won’t have to worry about your baby overheating when wrapped in this. Since it comes as a set of three, you can always have a clean one to use, even if one or two are in the wash. And speaking of washing, you won’t have to worry about the Velcro picking up lint in the dryer. That’s because there are tabs you can fold down to protect it while it’s being cleaned.

Pros

Soft breathable fabric
Tabs to protect Velcro
Easy to use

Cons

Only fit babies up to 14 pounds

Luvable Friends Unisex Baby Flannel Receiving Blankets 7-Pack

Set of Soft Flannel Recieving Blankets

A set of seven flannel receiving blankets to wrap your baby in.

Best ValueReceiving

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Receiving blankets are versatile, thin blankets that are perfect for newborns. You can use them as a burp cloth, a swaddle blanket, or a place to lie and play. Measuring in at 30 inches by 30 inches, they’re perfect to use as a makeshift changing mat if you’re out and about. They fold up small and are easy to toss into the diaper bag. Since they’re so versatile, many parents request many receiving baby blankets, which means all seven blankets in this set will get a lot of use. They’re soft and thin, made from 100% flannel cotton. Furthermore, each of the blankets in the set has a different pattern, but they all coordinate together.

Pros

Set of seven blankets
Soft flannel cotton material
Multipurpose

Cons

Aren’t large enough to swaddle larger babies

Frequently Asked Questions

When can my baby sleep with a blanket?

Because of the risk of suffocation, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends waiting until your baby is at least 12-months old to let them sleep with soft bedding. Until then, sleepers, swaddle blankets, and sleep sacks are safe alternatives.

What type of baby blanket does my baby need?

There are four main types of baby blankets on the market today, receiving blankets, security blankets, swaddling blankets, and crib blankets. Most parents will purchase at least one of each kind. Here is a quick overview of each, so you can make sure and purchase the type of blanket you need for your baby. Receiving blankets are rectangular piece of thin, breathable fabric. They are very versatile. Security blankets are a lot smaller so your baby can carry it around. Many security blankets come attached to stuffed animals. Swaddling blankets are designed to be a safe alternative to soft bedding. They wrap securely around your baby, providing comfort and keeping their head out from underneath the blanket. The unique cut of these blankets can help prevent suffocation. Finally, crib blankets are larger, meant to go inside the crib. They are perfect for helping your nursery look beautiful, and for use with babies who are at least a year old.

What materials are best for baby blankets?

You want your baby’s blanket to be soft and cuddly, but also breathable. Also, the fabric must be easily washable, since babies spit up and poop a lot. You never know what might end up on your blanket, so it’s best to get something that’s machine washable. Fleece, cotton, wool, and minky are all popular options for baby blanket material.