Receiving Blanket: A Nursery Must-Have

 Ask any mother and she will tell you that you must own at least one receiving blanket. These blankets are just like any other type of blanket, with the only difference being that these blankets are usually smaller and thinner.  More often than not, these blankets are usually found in squares. The materials used for these kinds of blankets are thin, ultra-soft, hypoallergenic fabrics. 100% breathable cotton is usually used, but other kinds and types of fabrics may also be used. These blankets are all-purpose blankets. They are used for everything from swaddling to wiping up drool to shielding the baby from the sun when taken out for a walk to protecting mommy’s shoulder when burping the baby. Given this, expect to find a stack of receiving blankets in any nursery.

Although receiving blankets are typically small and thin, they are still often used as a warmer. In fact, this is the primary choice for hospital nurseries to wrap newly born babies in. Remember going into a nursery and seeing rows of babies wrapped in blue and pink blankets? Each one of those is a receiving blanket! They keep the baby nice and cozy after the amount of stress they just went through. Swaddling, as it is also called, is the act of wrapping the baby in a tight blanket. This act is said to improve the quality of the baby’s sleep and help them develop and adjust to the new world.

The job of these blankets doesn’t stop at just swaddling. As mentioned earlier, these are the multi-purpose blankets. Need a quick change of the diapers? Lay the blanket over a cushion and you’ve got yourself a safe changing station for your baby. Did junior throw up a little food? A quick wipe with the blanket is all you need. A receiving blanket thus also serves as a burp cloth that you can keep handy with you.

A great thing about receiving blankets is that they are very easy to clean. A quick spin in the washer and dryer and your blanket will look and feel as good as new.

Aside from receiving blankets having numerous practical purposes, this type of blanket also has more “emotional” purposes. As the baby grows up, the blanket becomes a toy, a companion, a security blanket. The baby develops an inevitable bond with the blanket, especially as it makes him feel safe and comforted.

The receiving blanket is a staple in any nursery. From hospitals to homes, one can expect to find numerous stacks of these blankets. Because of both their pragmatic and affective uses, receiving blankets are something both mother and baby will cherish.