How to choose your baby’s first blanket

Is there anything more special than bringing your precious little bundle of joy home for the first time? During your baby’s first year, it’s important to keep them warm, safe and secure – especially as there’s so much to take in. The world is new, and they’re going to spend so much time sleeping (hopefully!), having cuddles with relatives, going for walks in the pram or sitting up in their bouncers. 

Choosing your baby’s first blanket is therefore very important – but with so many choices available on the market, it can be hard to know where to start. Whether you’re buying for your child or giving as a gift to someone else, here at Fauve + Co, we have a few tips and ideas on what to look for. 

Tips for finding the safest blankets for babies

As a first-time parent, we know you only want the best for your child, and to always keep them comfy and safe. The first year is full of new learning experiences– both for littlies and parents! – and it’s important that your tot gets a good night’s sleep so that they can take it all in. 

Here’s our guide on how to select a breathable blanket for babies and toddlers.

Choosing the material

When they’re this tiny, your newborn will have sensitive skin – so you’ll want to find something that’s made with soft, gentle materials. Our range of newborn blankets is perfect for this, with a range of choices for swaddling your child, including:

• Cotton
• Muslin 
• Polyester fleece

These fabrics are light, ultra-soft, comfortable and easily washable – which is a huge bonus for time-poor parents! Most importantly, they’re breathable – allowing your child to sleep soundly through the night. A good test to see if a material is breathable is to hold it up against a fan and see if you can feel the breeze coming through.

It’s also important to think about what time of year it is, and moving with the seasons. Choose a material that will keep your little one warm in winter, but cool through the summer. Selecting a light, breathable blanket for babies and toddlers is perfect through those warmer nights to prevent them from sweating too much, or feeling too restricted.

When swaddling your baby, you don’t want anything that’s going to be too scratchy that will potentially upset your child and keep them (and you!) up for all hours of the night. Try to avoid designs that have been made with:

• Wool can be scratchy and abrasive to your child’s skin, causing them to break out in a rash.
• Synthetic materials can irritate sensitive skin and cause harm.
• Silk may feel nice against your skin, but tends to stain easily.

You’ll also want to make sure the material you choose is hypo-allergic, free of toxic chemicals and fire-safe. It also needs to be durable enough to stand up to multiple washes. This will certainly put you in great stead for years to come.

Finding the right size

Size does matter! Most baby blankets roughly measure about 45” by 45”. When choosing a size, it’s important to remember that this will grow with your child. Something that’s too small won’t last for long, and will quickly be outgrown. 

Ideally you want something that’s large enough to wrap your tot securely and keep them warm while they sleep – but not so big that you lose them in all that extra fabric! It should be long enough to cover most parts of their tiny body, and wide enough so that they can comfortably stretch their legs and kick around a bit. 

The best way to determine which size you need is to measure your newborn. While they’re lying flat, measure around their chest then add 2 inches to allow for growth. So as a rule of thumb, if your little one is 20 inches long, we’d recommend buying something 22 inches long.

Safety matters

More than anything, it’s important to consider your child’s safety when selecting a baby blanket. Our range has been certified to meet Australian safety standards for your peace of mind.

When you wrap your child, you want to wrap them firmly so they feel safe and protected. This also prevents them from rolling over onto their tummy during the night and potentially suffocating. Similarly, try to avoid hooded variations until they’re a bit older – these may look cute, but they have the potential to restrict your child’s breathing and lead to suffocation or, worst case, SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

Through the winter, try not to choose materials that are too heavy – as a heavy material could lead to your infant having trouble breathing as they sleep. It’s also crucial to avoid options with tassels, fringes or anything that could potentially be a choking hazard for your tot – or become something for them to get their fingers tangled in.

Keepsake items to remember

Your baby’s first blanket is something to treasure and hold onto as they grow older – they won’t always be this little! And there’s nothing more special than our range of personalised baby blankets, which make the perfect gift for new arrivals and first birthdays.

We embroider your little one’s name onto your choice of material, sparking pride and a sense of ownership when your child recognises their very own name! It’s a priceless moment to cherish forever when you see their eyes light up, and their smile stretch that little bit wider. This is something your little one will form a great emotional attachment to, and can accompany them wherever they go – from visits to see Grandma and Grandpa, to trips and playdates.  

Made to last

Particularly in their first year, your baby’s blanket will need to withstand a lot – as it’s going to have a lot thrown at it! (Sometimes, even literally!) So it’s important to consider the long-term quality of the item. 

It will need to be made with a safe, sturdy, durable material that’s easy to clean and can stand up to multiple washes, while being flexible and ready to accommodate your child’s growth. It’s also going to go places – on all those car rides and family visits.

You’ll also want it to stand the test of time so you can treasure it for years to come with all those special, everlasting memories – and perhaps even pass it on as an heirloom item for future generations of your family.

Versatile and multi-purpose

Even better, you can repurpose the blanket as your child grows bigger – perhaps as a play mat, or as bedding in their cot. You can also use them to decorate the nursery – perhaps as a soft, comfy throw for the nursery armchair in the corner, where you sit to rock or feed your baby.

Health benefits of choosing safe blankets for babies

While choosing the right muslin to swaddle your tot with can help to keep them warm and dry, there are other health benefits the come with this as well. Wrapping your child also helps to soothe sore muscles after a nap, and also keep them safe from sunburn when you take them outside for walks in the pram.

There are also developmental benefits, too – as your child will form positive memories associated with the blanket, and even a sense of responsibility and ownership when they recognise this as their own.

Other alternatives to get cosy in

If you don’t like the idea of using a traditional swaddling blanket, there are plenty of other options available that you can use instead.

You might like to use a sheet instead – these can be quite versatile, as they also double as bedding. Your little ones may also like to sleep in a cosy onesie with little matching hat.

Our breathable blankets for babies and toddlers 

Whatever you choose, this precious keepsake will hold all sorts of special memories for years to come. 

Here at Fauve + Co, we’ve curated a gorgeous range of baby products, full of quality bedding and cot accessories. When you shop with us, you can rest assured that our collection is made with the highest quality materials and designs so that they’re built to last, sparking a lifetime of everlasting memories. 

We’re passionate about providing beautiful but practical creations for everyday Australian families. Take a look through our range today. If there’s something you can’t find or you have further enquiries, get in touch with our friendly team. We’re always on hand should you need our tips and assistance.