What Is a Receiving Blanket? —Everything You Need to Know!

Are you expecting a baby and thinking “what is a receiving blanket and why do I need it”? Well, you are not alone. You may also be wondering how many receiving blankets you need, and if you can use something else for the same purpose. All the information you need is listed below as well as the best receiving blankets on Amazon. 

“What is a Receiving Blanket?”

You know that staple picture you’ve seen all over social media of newborn babies wrapped in a hospital blanket right after they’ve been born? The blanket the baby is wrapped in is a receiving blanket. 

It’s the blanket the hospital wraps up the freshly born baby in before handing the little one over to the new mom and dad. 

This is where it gets its name. It is what the baby is wrapped in when the parents are “receiving” their newborn for the first time. However, receiving blankets do not need to be abandoned after the delivery room.

Receiving blankets are inexpensive blankets usually made from soft and thin cotton that can be used in many different useful ways. They usually come in multipacks with different colors and patterns.

“What are Receiving Blankets Used For?”

Receiving blankets are one of those baby items you won’t want to leave the house without. It would be wise to always have one in the diaper bag or your car because it transforms into whatever you need it to be in the moment. Here are some examples. 

Ways to Use Baby Receiving Blankets

• Burp cloth– after your baby gets a bottle or breastfeeds, throw it over your shoulder to catch spit up when you are burping your baby (if you want traditional burp cloths, check out this post)
• Blanket for Baby– use the receiving blanket for warmth when the baby gets cold. When you take your baby to the doctor they will have to be undressed and checked out in just a diaper. Wrap your baby up in a receiving blanket when they aren’t being checked out to keep warm. Anytime your baby isn’t being left alone and feels cold, just throw the blanket over their torso and legs to keep them warm. (Never leave baby alone with a blanket if it is not tightly swaddled and do not ever cover your baby’s head with a blanket)
• Swaddle– although receiving blankets are usually smaller than swaddle blankets, they can still be used as swaddle blankets (if you are looking for zip-up/velcro swaddles or sleepsacks, check out this post)
• Nursing cover– receiving blankets make great nursing covers. Drape the blankets loosely over your shoulder and baby to keep covered while breastfeeding if you need some privacy. 
• Mess Clean Up– Did a bottle spill in the car or a diarrhea explosion up your baby’s back? (it happens, trust me) Pull out the receiving blanket from your diaper bag and use it as a towel. 
• Stroller Cover– if the sun is in your baby’s eyes or you want to protect your baby from germs as you walk through a crowded area, drape the receiving blanket over the stroller to shield your baby for short periods of time. 
• Snot Rag– does your baby have a runny nose? Receiving blankets are soft and will be gentle on your little one’s nose as you are constantly having to wipe it. Plus, they wash easily!

5 Best Receiving Blankets on Amazon:

Luvable Friends Cotton Flannel Receiving Blankets

Luvable Friends Baby Cotton Flannel Receiving Blankets

Simple Joys by Carter’s Flannel Receiving Blanket

Simple Joys by Carter’s Flannel Receiving Blankets

Hudson Receiving Blankets Bundle

Hudson Baby Cotton Flannel Receiving Blankets 

American Baby Company Chenille Sherpa Receiving Blanket

American Baby Company Heavenly Soft Chenille Sherpa Receiving Blanket

Boritar Soft Minky Receiving Blanket

BORITAR Baby Blanket Soft Minky with Double Layer Dotted Backing, Receiving Blankets

“What is a Receiving Blanket” FAQs: 

“Can Swaddle Blankets be Used as Receiving Blankets?” or 

“What is a Receiving Blanket vs Swaddle?” 

Receiving blankets and swaddle blankets are used pretty interchangeably. However, receiving blankets are usually smaller in size measuring around 30 by 30 inches. 

Swaddle blankets are made for swaddling. They are made to stretch in order to tightly wrap your baby so they feel nice and snug. Swaddle blankets come in different materials based on the amount of warmth you want for your baby. Swaddle blankets may have things like velcro to make the swaddling process easier. 

Receiving blankets are multipurpose and not specifically made for swaddling, but instead for whatever baby needs it to be from the list above. They are usually made from cotton and meant to last through many washes. 

Swaddle blankets can be used as receiving blankets and receiving blankets can be used to swaddle. They may differ in size and material. Swaddle blankets are made for swaddling. Receiving blankets are made to be multi-purpose.

“Do I Really Need Receiving Blankets?” or

“Do You Need Receiving Blankets”

Short answer…No. They are definitely useful to always have laying around but there are other items you can use in their place. You could buy a baby blanket for when baby gets cold, a swaddle for sleeping, a burp cloth for spit up, a nursing cover to cover up when breastfeeding, a stroller cover for your stroller, and the list goes on and on. OR you could invest in a few versatile receiving blankets as your catch-all for whatever you need at home or on the go. 

Those over baby products are all great too and I’d suggest having them as well, but receiving blankets are great for the diaper bag or to have at home to quickly grab for whatever you need it to be in the moment.

“How Many Receiving Blankets Do I Need?”

Now that we’ve answered “what is a receiving blanket”, you are probably wondering how many you need. Luckily they come in multipacks and they hold up well since they are designed to be washed over and over. Grab yourself 1 or 2 packs from the list below and you are set.

“At What Age Do You Stop Using Receiving Blankets?”

If you are using receiving blankets as a swaddle, you should stop swaddling your baby when they show signs of rolling over, which is usually around 2 to 4 months of age. Visit the American Academy of Pediatrics for more information on safe sleeping. 

“Why is it called a Receiving Blanket?”

Receiving blankets are the blankets your baby is quickly wiped off with and then wrapped in before you, the parents, “receive” your newborn for the first time. However, receiving blankets for babies can be used for long after the birth of the baby and for many different reasons.  

“Can Baby Sleep with Receiving Blanket?” or

“How Do I Keep My Baby Warm at Night without a Blanket?”

A baby should never sleep with a loose receiving blanket. A baby can only sleep with a receiving blanket if the blanket is tightly swaddled around your baby properly. There should be no loose material that could cover your baby’s face. Swaddling is only recommended if your baby shows no signs of rolling over.

Sleepsacks or velcro swaddles are great alternatives to using receiving blankets as swaddles. Check out this post on Halo swaddles and sleepsacks for more information. 

“What is the point of a receiving blanket?”

You definitely can go without receiving blankets. However, their main use is to wrap baby up and keep him/her warm. Although they can be used in many other ways besides swaddling, for example, a nursing cover, stroller cover, burp cloth, etc.

If you are debating on getting these types of baby blankets, usually several blankets come in a pack and they are meant to hold up after many washes. So, start with buying one pack and see if it’s something you end up using often. 

How to Use a Receiving Blanket Safely: 

If you plan on using a receiving blanket as a swaddle, you need to read this article from the American Academy of Pediatrics on how to swaddle your baby safely. A few of the recommendations are summarized below. 

-Always place your baby to sleep on their back

-Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of rolling over, which is usually around 2 months of age

-Do not use loose blankets in your baby’s crib

-Use extreme caution in using wedges, positioners, specialized sleep surfaces, etc.

-Your baby is safest when sleeping in their own sleep space like a crib or bassinet

-Swaddling can increase the chances your baby may overheat. Do not let your baby get too hot. Signs of your baby being too hot are sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, rapid breathing, etc. 

-Crib should be in a smoke-free area

-Consider giving your baby a pacifier 

How to Swaddle Correctly: 

Listed below are websites that will teach you exactly how to swaddle your baby correctly and safely. 

How to Swaddle a Baby by Pampers

Mayo Clinic How to Swaddle Your Baby with Slideshow

Youtube Video on How to Swaddle

“What is a Receiving Blanket” Conclusion: 

Receiving blankets are something great to have on hand and will last many years. They hold up well after being washed so you don’t have to buy many of them and can save them for future babies. They come in lots of different adorable colors, patterns, and materials. 

Amazon Baby Registry: Why You Need One ASAP 

You definitely should at least add a pack to your Amazon Baby Registry. If you haven’t created a registry with Amazon. Here is why you should. 

-Universal Registry: add items from ANY site, not just Amazon

-Largest Selection: You won’t find a larger selection of baby items anywhere else

-Mobile Selection: Update your baby registry right from your phone. Very easy to use app!

-Return Policy: A much longer return policy than other places with easy 90-day returns

-Completion Discount: 10% off across Amazon, and 15% off for Prime Members

-Fast, Free shipping on orders over $25 or free for any amount if a Prime member

-A free Welcome Box for the parents with baby items valuing up to $35 

-Diaper Discount: 20% off diapers for the first year if $500 worth of products are bought off the registry

While you are creating your Amazon Baby Registry, check out these posts for other must-have baby items you’ll love!

–Baby Bassinets: to have baby sleeping safely next to you during those late-night feedings

–Burp Cloths: for those spit-up messes to stay on these cloths and not on your and your baby’s clothes

–Halo Swaddles and Sleepsacks: you won’t find easier swaddles than these from Halo, just zip and velcro! 

–Baby deedee Warm Baby Clothes: these baby clothes are so cozy and warm with a between-the-legs-zipper for easy diaper changes! 

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