The selection of baby blankets is huge. Read about the differences in how you can recognize safe blankets & personalize them with names.
As soon as the offspring is on the march and the excitement gets bigger, the question of the right blanket for the baby arises.
For parents-to-be, grandparents or friends, this choice can literally become a torture:
- Which materials are suitable?
- How big should the blanket be?
- What if the baby is too cold or too warm?
- And are blankets actually safe for newborns?
In order to prepare you for “any eventuality”, you will find the best cozy blankets and all the criteria to be considered before a purchase in this buying guide.
If you don’t have much time, you will find my tips with recommended blankets here:
Index
Quick overview: 4 popular cozy blankets for babies
Blankets for babies and toddlers serve as a cuddle and playground for on the go or at home and are suitable to give your little one the necessary warmth and security.
First of all, I would like to introduce you to cozy blankets that meet all the necessary criteria, have been put through their paces and fit perfectly into a first-time kit.
Which sizes are available and which materials have advantages and disadvantages can be found in the chapters below.
Pollutant-tested ceiling from Germany
The blanketino blankets are made entirely according to your wishes – in addition to different fabrics and colors, you can even specify embroidery with (baby) names.
- The price is not cheap, but there is a lot of quality here. The blanket is made in Germany and complies with the Oeko-Tex 100 standard.
- With many other blankets, you never really know the conditions under which they are made – here you get pollutant-tested quality from Cologne.
If you are looking for a high quality blanket for your baby, you should definitely take a look at this blanket!
Premium cuddly blanket for babies made of cotton
The cozy blanket from Minky Mooh is an absolute bestseller and impresses with its high-quality workmanship, very soft material and modern color combinations.
Due to the robust cotton, the blanket is not only suitable for cuddling, but also for trips or as a pad. Despite the natural fibers, the blanket can be easily washed in the washing machine at 30 degrees.
Customers are particularly enthusiastic about the packaging, which is why the blanket is also suitable as a gift.
Premium blanket for babies
A small but fine blanket to fall in love with and ideally suited for newborns aged 0-12 months.
The small animal applications and the striped coloring ensure a child-friendly design in four different color themes. The fabric has the advantage that the blanket remains very soft even after washing and does not form any fluff. (You can find more information on the topic of “Flannel and synthetic fibers” in the chapter on “Material”.)
Baby blanket with name
Blankets embroidered with name and date of birth are a great gift for a birth, christening or children’s birthday party. There are now many suppliers who offer blankets made of high-quality materials and strive for professional embroidery.
However, pay attention to the customer rating, because there are black sheep in all product categories. The above ceiling convinced me the most during my research: Here you get what the manufacturer promises.
Use baby blankets correctly
The closeness between parent and child is important for the development of newborns. Second, however, is sleep.
Every child has their own sleeping and eating rhythm, as in the first phase of life they do not have a day-night feeling. In order to develop a new order and regularity, babies therefore need a lot of support from their parents.
- Cozy blankets support your child’s ability to sleep , provide warmth and security and ensure a balanced body temperature.
- They can be used in a variety of ways and provide sufficient warmth and protection from spring to winter.
The so-called “comfort blanket” or “comfort blanket” should therefore not be missing in the first-time kit.
Sleep stages of a baby
It is important to have a constant daily routine consisting of regular meals, activities and especially – sleeping times . At first it seems like your baby is only sleeping. In fact, it is about 18 hours a day that are interrupted by several waking phases for drinking, changing and cuddling.
Only at the age of 4–8 months can your child differentiate between day and night. Then the waking and sleeping periods also change. Newborn 16 to 20 hours
- 3 weeks 16 to 18 hours
- 6 weeks 15 to 16 hours
- 4 months 9 to 12 hours at night & 2 naps (2 – 3 hours each)
- 6 months around 11 hours at night & 2 naps (1 – 1.5 hours each)
Babies 6–12 months of age reduce their sleep to 11 hours a day and also enjoy naps during the day. However, this must not be too long, because otherwise you will be woken up more often than you want during the night.
Safety: cozy blankets vs. baby blankets
Comfortable blankets are suitable for trips with the stroller, the baby seat or simply for cuddling, sleeping and keeping warm during the day.
They are suitable for all ages. But be warned: Please do not confuse a blanket for babies with an ordinary blanket for the baby bed.
Caution: Doctors and midwives generally advise against equipping the cot with a blanket in order to avoid the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. A normal, square blanket can build up heat and cause the child to suffocate.
To prevent this, babies and toddlers between the ages of 0 and 2 should sleep in a sleeping bag during the night. In this way you can prevent the blanket from accidentally sliding over your child’s face, trampling free or even getting caught in the blanket.
In order to bend the newborn baby in, a cozy blanket has become indispensable during the day. The blanket can also serve as a privacy screen for mothers to breastfeed unobserved.
Different blankets & functions in everyday life
For everyday life, 2 to 3 blankets are sufficient, because one blanket often has to be washed, another one may be more robust and suitable for the stroller and the actual cozy blanket serves as warming protection in your own four walls.
The number of blankets in your household is entirely up to you.
You should think about how you want to use your blankets, for example as a play surface.
The following blankets are part of a first-time kit:
- Child seat cover
- Stroller blanket
- Cozy blanket
- Play mat
- Swaddle blanket
You can purchase all ceiling models, for example, online from Amazon or in stationary specialist shops. The most popular brands include Cosilana, Steiff, Sterntaler, SonnenStrick and Julius Zöllner. These brands are in the higher price segment, but they impress with their high quality and workmanship.
Buying tips & criteria
Basically, a baby blanket must convince primarily through quality, workmanship and material. The latter is especially important as your baby’s skin is still very sensitive and needs a lot of protection. There are many manufacturers who offer particularly skin-friendly blankets, meet all quality standards and are easy to clean.
Before you buy, you should pay attention to the following features:
- Fabric & material: breathable, moisture-repellent, free of harmful substances.
- Cleaning & Shelf Life: Machine washable.
- Size & shape: large, small, with hat or knobs.
- Design & Color: for boys or girls (popular colors: pink, blue, purple, green).
Last but not least, personalized blankets for babies with a photo, name and / or date of birth are the “icing on the cake” for proud mums and dads.
Material, cleaning & care
Always consider the delicate and sensitive skin of newborns before choosing a blanket. It is imperative that you value high-quality workmanship, visible quality and non-toxic materials.
Since babies and toddlers often get stained, cozy blankets should also be easy to clean. Synthetic fiber blankets made of fleece, flannel or other synthetic fibers are therefore advantageous.
You can read all the tips and tricks about washing blankets in a separate article.
Man-made fiber blankets
If you come across the term “synthetic fiber”, don’t be shy. These are microfiber and fleece blankets, which are mostly in the lower price segment.
- The weight is advantageous, because these ceiling models are relatively light and space-saving, but generate an appealing warmth.
- In contrast to natural or animal materials, synthetic fiber blankets cannot cause skin irritation in babies.
In addition, the blankets are very easy to care for, but they have to be washed more often.
I think this is a major disadvantage because after prolonged use they produce an unpleasant odor because they do not absorb sweat.
Flannel blankets
If you are looking for an easy-care model, you are on the safe side with a flannel blanket. These can be washed in the washing machine on the gentle cycle with a mild liquid detergent.
However, you should not use the dryer and be sure to keep an eye on the provider’s care instructions, otherwise you run the risk of the fabric deforming.
Flannel blankets do not get creased by the washing machine, so you save annoying ironing work.
In fact, flannel blankets are true all-rounders for a small price and even suitable for spring, summer, autumn and winter. The fabric is also very breathable, which prevents heat build-up during sleep.
Fleecedecken
An absolute hit for really cold days, because with fleece blankets you can warm your baby optimally.
The super soft, fluffy and comfortable material is suitable for sensitive or sensitive children’s skin and is water-repellent.
Like all other synthetic fibers, fleece is relatively easy to care for, but it dries much faster than other materials. To maintain the shape, you should follow the care instructions provided by the provider.
Mikrofaserdecken
Most microfiber products have a smooth and soft surface, which is why dust or dirt cannot settle. In addition, microfiber blankets guarantee effective warmth and offer babies great cuddling fun.
The baby blanket from EliMeli is a little wonder of the blanket. It is made from cotton on one side and microfiber on the other.
For this reason, the manufacturer also promises perfect air circulation under the ceiling.
If you choose a blanket made from natural or animal fabrics, always keep an eye on your baby’s skin.
Natural fiber blankets are made of high quality cotton or knitted wool and are usually free of harmful substances and much more environmentally friendly than synthetic fiber blankets.
These blankets are by no means scratchy, because their soft and soft surface creates optimal warmth for your child and is still very breathable.
However, cleaning can become a business for professionals.
Size of the blanket
Depending on the size of your child and how it will be used, a baby blanket must also be of a suitable size and shape.
Blankets usually have a side length of one meter (100cm).
This length is perfectly sufficient to give your baby enough space. The blankets can also be folded or transported in a much more space-saving way.
The width and shape depend on the manufacturer. Many blankets now have funny accessories, such as hats, small knobs to prevent accidental slipping or attached cuddly toys.
Alternatives to classic blankets
Cuddly blankets are not only suitable for covering or changing, but also serve as a safe base for the floor or bed.
This also benefits you, because not always a cot or a cot ready for the baby lay briefly. However, make sure you always have your child in view.
Baby blankets as a base
Children love to discover their surroundings. Especially in the beginning it is a pleasure to watch them.
You can see more and more stowage if you place your child on a soft baby blanket instead of the stroller. This way, toddlers can move much better or make their first attempts at crawling.
Baby blankets with play arches
The most popular types are blankets with a play arch. With the toys or cuddly toys attached, there is definitely no boredom. Not only fun and games, but also your baby’s concentration can be trained with a play arch.
Tip: In this buying guide you will find everything you need to know about baby mobiles for sleeping and playing .
Monthly & milestone covers
Blankets are an ideal gift for a birth, christening or birthday.
The so-called milestone or monthly blankets, with which you can record your child’s development, are particularly funny. Equipped with funny motifs and a calendar, this blanket is suitable for professional or private photo shoots.
Knit, crochet or sew the cozy blanket yourself
The Internet offers a large selection of instructions, video explanations , drawings and even sewing and knitting templates for your perfect cozy blanket.
If you want to sew a baby blanket, you should check in advance that you have the following “equipment” ready:
- Ruler or tape measure
- Pins or fabric clips
- Fabric scissors or rotary cutters
- Sewing needles, string or sewing machine
For all friends of knitting and crocheting, we recommend a beginner’s manual with step-by-step instructions. Here you will not only find models and knitting templates for baby blankets, but also tips and tricks for other cozy knitting work such as jackets, overalls, hats and socks.
Conclusion: the perfect baby blanket
Whether for everyday life, to keep warm, as a play blanket or for trips with the stroller – cozy blankets are useful every day and in every season to give your baby enough warmth and security.
Blankets are suitable for all age groups and are available in different designs, colors, shapes and sizes.
Before buying, you should definitely pay attention to high-quality workmanship, quality and, above all, the material, because baby skin is still very delicate and sensitive, especially in the first phase of life.
In addition, blankets should have the following criteria:
- Breathable
- Skin-friendly
- Water repellent
- Pollutant-free
- Machine washable
Natural fibers are soft and very breathable, but can cause skin irritations or allergies. They are available in all price categories and are much more environmentally friendly than synthetic fiber blankets.
However, blankets made of flannel or fleece generate effective heat, are very fluffy, but have to be washed more often because they do not absorb sweat. Please follow the manufacturer’s care instructions for both types of fabric.
Warning: cuddly blankets are not suitable as duvets for the children’s bed, because they can lead to heat build-up during the night or your child could get tangled or even pull the blanket over their face.
Doctors and midwives recommend sleeping bags to avoid these life-threatening situations.
More tips for a healthy baby sleep
So that you can help your baby get a restful sleep at night, the following articles provide you with exciting tips & tricks:
- Heaven for the baby bed: a perfect sleeping aid?
- Night light for babies – how useful is it really?
- The perfect mattress for the baby bed
- Buying guide: pillows for babies and toddlers
- Travel cots for your baby: what to look out for?
- Baby cradles: comprehensive purchase advice
I hope that you will find interesting insights and that your child literally sleeps “like a baby” with it.
I created Sleep Knowledge to share my interests and experiences on healthy sleeping with others. On this page I am therefore dealing with interesting questions about the optimal night’s sleep & everything else that goes with it.