Baby blankets

Baby sleeping bags have become very popular as baby bedding, but many parents still choose to use blankets in their moses basket at some stage. They are versatile and easy to layer according to changes in temperature, simply adding or removing a blanket if your baby seems too warm or too cool.

There are several types of baby blanket on the market. Moses basket bedding bundles are available as well as pram blankets, (which are smaller than regular sized blankets), but almost all types will be suitable. Larger sizes can be folded over for a better fit, but remember that one blanket folded over counts as two layers when assessing how much bedding your baby needs. We explain how much bedding should be used depending on the temperature, at the bottom of this page.

Types of baby blankets

Cellular blankets

Cellular blankets have been used as baby bedding for decades because they are very practical. On a cold night, layers of cellular blanket will trap heat and keep the baby nice and snug. But during warmer months the open weave allows air to circulate so that your baby stays cooler and is less likely to overheat.

Some traditional cellular blankets are still made from wool, which is soft and warm. However, you should check if a woollen blanket is machine washable because easy care products make life a lot simpler for parents when it comes to baby bedding. More commonly these days, cellular blankets are made from either cotton or acrylic which both wash and dry really well.

Izziwotnot Cellular Blanket, White	Izziwotnot Cellular Blanket, Pink	Izziwotnot Cellular Blanket, Blue	BabyDan Cellular Blanket

Fleece blankets

The appeal of fleece blankets is that they are very snug and warm. But this can also be a disadvantage because overheating can put your baby at risk. So while a fleece blanket may be perfect for throwing over a pram or pushchair, they are not necessarily suitable for regular use as moses basket bedding unless your home is especially cold.

Receiving blankets

Receiving blankets are ideal for use as moses basket bedding because they are quite small, usually around a metre squared. They are also handy to have because they are easy to wrap baby in while they feed or throw down on the floor while baby has tummy time. Another advantage of buying a receiving blanket is that the square shape allows it to be used for swaddling, which is often a good way to help calm a fussy baby.

JJ Cole Blanket, brights	JJ Cole Blanket, Greens	JJ Cole Blanket, Primary	Ultimate receiving blanket

Swaddling blankets

Not all babies like to be swaddled, but for many parents swaddling can be a sanity saver when faced with a colicky or particularly fractious baby. Any square baby blanket can be used to swaddle but there are a growing number of swaddling blankets designed specifically for the purpose available. Some are specially shaped to make getting a tight, secure swaddle a lot easier, while other designs use Velcro. They are an excellent purchase for parents who find their usual attempts to swaddle their baby unwrap after a short while!

How many blankets does my baby need?

The temperature of the room where your baby is sleeping will determine how many layers of bedding they will need to keep them at a safe and comfortable temperature. In addition to baby blankets you will also need a sheet.