Baby receiving blankets are a must-have on any baby registry. They’re so versatile and useful, that almost every new parent will swear by always having them on hand.
But there’s a lot of options. Like which material is best? How big should they be? What’s the difference between vs. swaddles or sleep sacks? Do I need swaddle blankets and receiving blankets? Be sure to read through our guide of FAQ’s on baby receiving blankets below. But the short answer is they are awesome. You need to stock up receiving blankets for babies.
Below we break down a list of the best receiving blankets for babies, swaddles, and sleep sacks. Plus what to look for when choosing the best baby receiving blankets for you and your little ones.
Best Muslin Baby Receiving Blanket
Muslin Baby Swaddle Blankets Set of 4
The colors on this set of baby receiving blankets are so rich and luxe. They are gorgeous and the softest baby blanket for swaddling and tons of other uses too. They’re definitely a unique style and color.
Viviland Baby Muslin Swaddle Blanket
If you’re a mermaid lover, these are an absolute must for your baby. They’re made of silky bamboo making them super soft baby blankets, and the mermaid pattern is so fun! Perfect for a little girl, but hey, boys like mermaids too on their baby receiving blankets.
CozyBubs Swaddle Blankets Set [3-Pack]
It’s the sweet little elephants that got up on this one. Just so charming, and made with hypoallergenic materials that are chemical-free. Perfect for worry-free cuddling and swaddling.
LollyBanks 100% Cotton Muslin Swaddle Nautical Ocean Baby Blanket Set
So in love with the blue nautical vibes from these fishy cotton baby receiving blankets. The blue whales, waves, and sharks scream little boy. The designs are so kid-friendly, but a stylish take on typical kid prints.
Baby Swaddle Blanket Upsimples Unisex Swaddle Wrap Soft Silky Bamboo Muslin Swaddle Blankets Neutral Receiving Blanket for Boys and Girls
With four swaddles in this pack, it’s a good bang for your buck without sacrificing quality. They are highly popular with parents because they are big, soft, and have delightful animal patterns. They’d work great as baby receiving blankets.
Best Organic Baby Receiving Blanket Set
LifeTree Baby Boys Girls Swaddle Blanket
It doesn’t get more aesthetic than this swaddle set. They are gorgeous and would fit in nicely with a cottagecore theme nursery or newborn shoot. Choose from packs for 2, 3, or 4 to stock up on these 100% organic baby receiving blankets
Oliver & Rain Organic Muslin Swaddle Sampler
Grab these adorable muslin baby receiving blankets in packs of one, two, three, or four. Choose from a bunch of different totally aesthetic options. These are very gender neutral without giving up the cute factor, and parents rave about how they are such super soft baby blankets.
IVY & EVER Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets Unisex
If you have a woodland or cottagecore themed nursery or newborn shoot, then these are a must! The prints on these are simply enchanting, and gender-neutral. Reviewers love the high quality that makes these feel like luxury baby blankets and baby receiving blankets.
Burt’s Bees Baby – Blankets, Set of 2, 100% Organic Cotton Swaddle
Change it up from the muslin receiving blankets to these organic cotton receiving blankets from a trusted brand, Burt’s Bees. These are a bit smaller in size than the muslin blankets, but they do seem to be a bit thicker. Parents love using these to cover up babies after they’re all buckled up in the carseat.
Muslin Swaddle Blankets – 100% Organic Cotton
Want organic swaddling and baby receiving blankets, but with a bit more pop of color? Try these! Babies and kids will love the bright colors and animals that are a bit more of a traditional baby style vs. trendy.
Best Flannel Baby Receiving Blanket
Simple Joys by Carter’s Baby 7-Pack Flannel Receiving Blankets
With seven flannel baby receiving blankets in this pack, it is such an awesome value. If you want something for burping and a soft receiving blanket to lay your baby on, these seem awesome. They are a littel small for swaddling though. So if swaddling is your jam, maybe keep looking.
Gerber Boys and Girls Newborn Infant Baby Toddler Nursery 100% Cotton Flannel Receiving Swaddle Blanket
Super cute and cozy, these Gerber baby receiving blankets have charming prints and design. Some reviewers loved them for swaddling, but for others the size wasn’t quite right. It can be hard to find just the right size swaddling and receiving blankets that are made of flannel.
Luvable Friends Unisex Baby Cotton Flannel Receiving Blankets Bundle
An affordable price and lots of color and pattern options make these receiving blankets a perfect choice for a lot of families. These are on the smaller side compared to a lot of the muslin blankets on the list. So they might not be the best for waddling, but would be great for burping and general use.
Best Mom and Baby Receiving Blanket Matching Set
4 Pack Maternity Robe and Matching Baby Swaddle Blanket with Hat Headband Set
Create picture-perfect newborn photos while matching your new bundle with this receiving blanket and robe matching set complete with hat and headband.
This set has different patterns and color choices, but all are quite feminie. So if you want something gender-neutral, this isn’t the set of baby receiving blankets and robe for you.
Matching Maternity/Delivery Robe with Baby Swaddle Set
For a ton of different patterns and color choices, go for this matching robe and baby receiving blankets set. There are so many options you’ll be sure to find a set that fits you and your little one’s personality and style.
Plus, a lot of the choices are gender-neutral if you are team green (don’t know the baby’s gender).
Mommy and Me Family Matching Women’s Pajamas and Baby Swaddle Blanket/Hat Set
Most matching sets for parents and newborns are robes, but this one is awesome because it’s pajamas! There are a few different options, most of which are floral and feminine, but this blue pattern is a nice choice for a boy or gender-neutral.
Best Baby Swaddle Sleep Sack
Happiest Baby Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle
This space design is absolutely delightful, and straight up cool. But parens also love the ease with which you can swaddle up your babe in seconds. It’s made of organic material and is ranked the #1 swaddle by the New York Times.
Halo Micro Fleece Sleepsack Swaddle Wearable Blanket
A simple wearable blanket made of fleece to keep your baby warm and cozy. The design is so easy to use, even for sleep deprived parents during middle of the night diaper changes.
Nested Bean Zen Sack – Gently Weighted Sleep Sacks
If you have a little one who struggles to sleep, this might be a good investment. While it didn’t work for every single babe, it helped enough parents who swear by this that it is definitely worth a try!
Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit
Another product that is hit or miss with babies, but for some families it is a game changer! It’s a super cuddly suit that helps babies feel safe and secure while sleeping so they wake less. If you are desperate for some sleep, give this a go.
What is a receiving blanket for a baby?
Receiving blankets are thin and soft multi-purpose blankets mostly used for newborns and small babies. The best part of baby receiving blankets is they can be used for so many different things like a burp cloth, a swaddle, a blanket for warmth, a playmat, and more! They’ve been around for basically… ever… and with good reason. They’re so functional and inexpensive.
Do babies need receiving blankets?
There are not a lot of baby items that are truly must-haves for everyone, but baby receiving blankets should be on your registry or shopping list for 99.9% of families.
The versatility of receiving blankets is key, and the fact that you can get a large pack of them at a decent price is a bonus. While some families will prefer other types of blankets or swaddles, nearly all at some point use receiving blankets.
How Many Receiving Blankets Do I Need?
It depends on how often you do laundry! Seriously, if you do laundry daily, you can probably get by with 3-5. But if you’re a little lax on the laundry routine, you’ll probably want to stock up on maybe 10. That way if you have a blowout in one and spit up on another, you’ll have plenty left to get you through the day without having to do the wash.
What is the difference between a receiving blanket and a baby blanket?
A baby blanket is more of a comfort item or a blanket used for warmth. While a receiving blanket has a lot of different uses, and can also be used as a swaddle, which baby blankets usually aren’t made for. Baby blankets also tend to be thicker than receiving blankets that are generally made of thinner lightweight materials like muslin.
Do I need to bring receiving blankets to the hospital?
You don’t need to. Unless they tell you otherwise, hospitals have tons of receiving blankets for you and your baby to use while you’re there. In fact, many hospitals want you to take them home with you too!
If you have specific preferences or needs for you or your baby you can always bring your own too. Especially if you want something that’s a little more aesthetic than the hospital ones.
Receiving Blanket vs. Swaddle Blanket: Are receiving blankets and swaddle blankets the same?
Yes, and no.
Receiving blankets can be used as swaddles, but many times when people talk about swaddles now, they are referring to something more like a sleep sack than a swaddling or receiving blanket.
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