| Buying baby blankets is just one of the many | | | | knitted or crocheted, may be introduced at 3-4 months. |
| purchasing decisions facing new moms. Keeping little | | | | Always avoid parts (even on a blanket) that can |
| ones safe and cozy is a primary concern. It will | | | | come loose and cause accidental choking like ribbons, |
| become clear quickly that different baby blankets | | | | buttons, or other adornments. |
| meet different needs, and a baby will need a few | | | | Safety concerns |
| blankets to get through that first year. | | | | Oftentimes crib sets will include beautiful fluffy quilts. |
| Newborns | | | | These may in fact cause suffocation for little ones and |
| When buying blankets for your baby, the first concern | | | | should be used later when baby can sit and roll over |
| is always safety. You want your baby to not only be | | | | easily. |
| warm, but safe as well. Many newborns prefer to be | | | | Woven blankets should have a weave tight enough |
| swaddled at night. In fact, this is why most hospitals will | | | | that the baby cannot get hands or feet stuck in the |
| send you home with light-weight receiving blankets. | | | | weave. |
| The warm, tightness of swaddling simulates being in | | | | With any blanket purchase, washing is critical to getting |
| the womb for the infant and can be soothing. | | | | chemicals or irritants left over from the manufacturing |
| Cotton receiving blankets are fairly inexpensive and | | | | process off. Wash all baby blankets, new or gently |
| come in a variety of colors and patterns. They can be | | | | used, 2-3 times in a gentle, dye and perfume-free |
| layered for added warmth and offer double duty as a | | | | detergent before using. This will also eliminate lint, as |
| burp cloth, diaper changing pad and general clean up in | | | | blankets tend to produce a fair amount of lint during |
| a pinch. Keep one in your diaper bag at all times! | | | | initial usage. |
| Older babies | | | | Several manufacturers also now make baby blankets |
| As infants start to move around more, heavier | | | | with all organic cotton fibers. The unbleached versions |
| blankets can be used. Keep in mind, though, that babies | | | | are not as adorable as the themed blankets, but will |
| can overheat more quickly than adults. All baby | | | | assure that baby is not exposed to chemicals. If there |
| blankets should be lighter weight and preferably of | | | | is a history of any kind of allergies in the family, the |
| natural fibers. | | | | additional money spend on these baby blankets may |
| Blankets that are handmade, such as those quilted, | | | | be well worth it. |