A baby blanket is often more than just a cover to keep your little one warm.During the first stage / Primary stage of your newborn baby, He or she is going to spend lot of time sleeping. So it is very important for you to select a good blanket that satisfy their comfort and security.There are some common factors that everyone should consider when buy a blanket.
Each baby blanket size can serve a different purpose. And remember, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises that babies younger than 12 months old shouldn’t sleep with a blanket in the crib.
- Blanket Materials
A baby blanket should be made out of materials that are gentle on sensitive skin and breathable to make sleep comfortable.When making or buying a blanket for your little one, you should choose materials that are best suited for a baby’s sensitive skin. You shouldn’t be using anything dense or scratchy. Soft, washable materials, like organic cotton and cotton fleece, work best.Wool also can be considered as one of the best durable alternative.But in order to use it you have to make sure your baby isn’t have an allergic reaction to this material.
How do you test to make sure that a blanket is breathable?
It’s very important to make sure that a blanket is breathable, you can check that from just holding blanket up next to a fan. So If you can feel the breeze through the blanket, the material is breathable. A good breathable material? Cotton. Look for organic cotton and avoid synthetic materials if possible.
Appropriate to the season
You need to make sure that you are buying a blanket that is appropriate to the season. Since you’ll want to have a heavier blanket for winter and a lighter one for summer. When you do buy a heavier blanket for winter, do not buy a quilt or one that is soft and heavy. These can contribute to SIDS – Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Keep in mind your local climate, too: you won’t need as many thick blankets if you live in a warm climate, but if you live in a colder clime, you’re going to want a thicker blanket to keep baby warm through the winter and beyond.
- Safety & Security
Make sure blankets doesn’t have loose tassels,fringes, or ribbons, because babies can get tangles in them.When baby grows older this issue will be slightly become less.
- Blanket size
size of the blanket is really important , Because to keep the baby warm you will need a big blanket, but not so big. standard blanket size is 45″ by 45″ to 60″.
There are several types of blankets available in the market.
- Receiving Blankets – This is a bulky, large blanket just won’t work for your tiny bundle of joy. If you have a newborn baby, you should keep your blanket small and lightweight, as this allows for easy swaddling. Receiving blankets typically range in size from a small 18-inch square to a larger 36-inch square. Your little one might outgrow a smaller receiving blanket rather quickly. But you can still keep it around for snuggling purposes.
- Crib Blankets – Crib blanket has a rectangular shape and measure around 40 inches by 60 inches. As with any baby blanket size, however, the specific dimensions are dependent upon the pattern you choose. This size works best for toddlers and babies who are older than 6 months, and can therefore easily free themselves from tangles. Crib blankets should be free of loose threads, buttons, yarns and large holes that can pose a safety risk for little ones.
- Multi-Use Blankets – When you’re traveling with your baby, stroller blankets and activity blankets are essential items. A thick activity blanket can be used to provide a cushioned, clean surface for your baby to crawl and play. And the same blanket can double as a stroller or car seat cover during the chillier months! A good size for a multi-use blanket is 30 to 40 inches, as a blanket this size is big enough for play time but not so big that it covers an entire stroller or car seat.
REFERENCE
childsafetyexperts. 2018. choosing-right-baby-blanket. [ONLINE] Available at: http://www.childsafetyexperts.com/baby/choosing-right-baby-blanket. [Accessed 6 April 2018].
care. 2018. how-to-pick-the-right-baby-blanket-size. [ONLINE] Available at: https://www.care.com/c/stories/4538/how-to-pick-the-right-baby-blanket-size/en-au/. [Accessed 6 April 2018].
