- Nursery Articles -
What Is a Receiving Blanket?
Gifting Tips & How to Use It
There is nothing better than wrapping yourself up in an ultra-soft blanket that’s warm and enveloping—and even though they can’t tell you yet, newborn babies agree.
In their earliest days, newborns are most often found snuggled in a receiving blanket, a small, breathable blanket that’s easy to tuck and fold. It gets its name from the act of wrapping newborns immediately after they’re born—a moment when you’re literally “receiving” a baby into the world. Right after a standard hospital birth, a newborn is given a quick physical assessment, bundled in a flannel blanket and handed back to their parents to soak up all the snuggles. Those iconic flannel baby blankets? They’re called receiving blankets.
When choosing the best receiving blankets for your baby, there are many considerations, from materials and sizes to learning how to swaddle with one. Here, we’ll answer parents’ most frequently asked questions so you can choose the best option for your bundle of joy—or give one as a useful gift for family or friends.
Does the Hospital Give You Receiving Blankets?
Starting with the basics, a common question that expecting parents often ask is “Does the hospital give you receiving blankets?” The short answer is yes—those iconic white flannel blankets adorned with blue and white stripes are, in fact, receiving blankets.
Hospitals will generally allow parents to take home lots of newborn supplies, including diapers, nasal aspirators, pacifiers and yes—receiving blankets.
While the hospital’s receiving blankets are perfectly fine to use, many parents prefer certain materials, colors and patterns, and generally opt to add a few to their baby registry to make it feel personal and unique to your family.
As an essential item in an infant’s earliest weeks and months, receiving blankets should be at the top of your hospital bag checklist.
Receiving Blankets vs. Swaddle Blankets
Another common question we hear from parents is “What is the difference between receiving blankets and a swaddle?” In truth, there isn’t much difference at all.
A receiving blanket is a small, thin blanket—either square or rectangular in shape—that is used to keep a baby warm. A swaddle blanket is used specifically for swaddling: the act of securely wrapping a baby so that they feel as warm and snug as they did when they were in their mom’s belly. Swaddling makes a baby feel safe and secure, which can be soothing to a fussy newborn.
The main difference between the two is that a receiving blanket can be used as a swaddle blanket, but not every swaddle blanket is a receiving blanket.
Some swaddles or swaddle blankets include extra wings or corners of fabric that are designed to make the act of swaddling easier for parents. Other swaddles that differ from receiving blankets are wearable blankets. These typically feature zip-up closures and extra folds of fabric that attach by Velcro fasteners for an extra-snug fit around your baby’s body. They are especially useful for parents of acrobatic newborns who always seem to find a way to wiggle free.
Many often ask if muslin blankets are the same as receiving blankets. The simple answer is that they can be. Receiving blankets are typically made of a variety of soft, durable materials that include cotton, flannel and muslin.
Tips for Buying the Best Receiving Blankets
Whether you’re stocking up on nursery essentials before your due date or giving them to a friend as a baby shower gift idea, buying the best receiving blankets comes down to three elements: materials, durability and safety.
- Consider materials. Receiving blankets are made of a variety of soft, durable materials such as cotton, muslin and flannel. Flannel receiving blankets are widely popular because they are thick enough to keep a newborn warm, but breathable enough to prevent overheating. They also offer just the right amount of stiffness after a few washes to help keep a swaddle tucked in tight.
- Opt for durability. Caring for babies is a naturally messy job. From diaper mishaps to post-feeding spit-up, you’re likely to be washing anything your baby touches again and again. Make sure you select receiving blankets made of durable materials that can hold up to rigorous washing.
- Prioritize safety. Some baby blankets may feature decorative tassels or fringe, but it’s best to reserve those for older children. When it comes to newborns and infants, ensure that nothing loose or detachable is within reach. A receiving blanket should have tightly sewn hems without any chance of threads coming loose. If there’s ever a question about whether an item is safe for your infant, always check with your pediatrician.
How Many Receiving Blankets Do I Need?
In their early days, newborns spend most of the time in very simple attire: diapers and a snapsuit. From there, much of their early days consists of being bundled in a soft blanket snuggling with mom, dad or a member of the family. As a newborn nursery essential, you should plan to have more than one receiving blanket at your disposal. A good place to start is having two to four in the changing table drawer.
For this reason, receiving blankets are most commonly sold in sets of two to four. One can be kept in your diaper bag for on-the-go needs, and it’s helpful to have a few more handy in the case of soiling and spills in between laundry cycles.
If you have twins, consider adding a few more to your supply.
What Is the Size of a Receiving Blanket?
With the average size of a newborn measuring 19 to 20 inches long, the standard receiving blanket size is typically 30 x 30 inches for a square receiving blanket, and 30 x 40 inches for a rectangular blanket. Smaller standard sizes include 18 x 18 inches, and larger ones can measure up to 40 x 40 inches.
Blanket size can vary by brand, but most makers and manufacturers generally follow these guidelines.
How to Swaddle a Baby with a Blanket
Once your baby has arrived, it’s time to put that receiving blanket to good use. Knowing how to swaddle a baby with a blanket requires five simple steps:
- Create a half-diamond shape with your blanket. Fold your square or rectangular receiving blanket in half, creating an upside-down triangle that extends from your baby’s shoulders down to their toes. The flat side should be just around your baby’s shoulders, and the pointed side should extend just beyond the toes.
- Wrap one edge around your baby’s belly. Start on one side of your triangle, bringing the corner of the blanket up and over your baby’s belly. Tuck the blanket firmly underneath your baby’s back on the opposite side. One arm is now tucked inside the swaddle blanket, and the other arm is still out.
- Fold up the material from the bottom. Your baby’s feet are now covered inside the blanket. Use one hand to keep the material in place over your baby’s legs.
- Wrap the other side around your baby’s belly. Use your other hand to bring the remaining material up and over your baby’s belly. Be sure to pull the material so that it fits snugly around your baby’s body.
- Tuck excess material into the seams of the folds. You now have a neatly swaddled baby; enjoy the snuggles!
Beyond the Swaddle: How (Else) to Use Receiving Blankets
So how long do you use a receiving blanket for? Generally speaking, babies are only kept swaddled for the first two to four months, depending on their individual growth and development. Around the time that babies start to show interest in rolling over (roughly the three-month mark), it’s usually time to stop swaddling, though you’ll want to check with your pediatrician for your baby’s unique needs.
While you’ll eventually outgrow having to swaddle your baby, that doesn’t mean it’s time to retire your receiving blankets completely. Receiving blankets are diaper bag essentials because they’re incredibly versatile, and can be used for a variety of baby needs beyond swaddling — especially as newborns age into the infant and toddler phases.
Here are a few ways you can repurpose receiving blankets:
- Stroller shade. A large receiving blanket can be easily draped over a stroller to shield a snoozing baby from harsh sunlight during a peaceful nap.
- Tummy time prop. Pediatricians recommend supervised tummy time so that babies can build their neck strength. Over time, props like folded blankets or nursing pillows can help give your baby more leverage as they grow.
- Play mat. A soft, gentle receiving blanket is a perfect way to give your baby some added softness—and to protect your area rugs from accidental spit-up situations.
- Burp cloth. Sometimes, a burp cloth just doesn’t cut it. Either the mess is too big, they may all be in the laundry, or you simply forgot one at home. A receiving blanket makes a good stand-in for a burp cloth in a pinch.
- Breastfeeding coverup. A receiving blanket can be used as a convenient nursing cover-up for added privacy.
Receiving blankets are a must-have for both your nursery and your diaper bag. While their primary use is for swaddling newborn babies, they’re an incredibly versatile item that can get good use long after your baby outgrows the need for a swaddle.
Expecting a baby? Start building your baby registry today.