When can a baby sleep with a blanket?

Babies can start sleeping with a blanket when they are 18 months old, but it's fine to wait longer than that too. Never put a baby under 12 months old to bed with a blanket because of the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) . Instead, keep babies warm with cozy pajamas and/or a sleep sack. One-year-olds are still at risk of becoming entangled in their blankets, which could obstruct their breathing. So it's best to wait until they reach 18 months or older to give toddlers a blanket in their crib.

How do you swaddle a baby in a blanket?

To swaddle a baby, fold the swaddling blanket into a triangle and lay it down on a flat surface. Place the baby on their back with their feet towards the blanket's bottom corner. First, wrap the top left corner down and across. Then, pull the bottom corner up and around the right shoulder. Last, wrap the top right corner down and across. Make sure that your baby is swaddled tightly enough that they can't break out of the swaddle (since loose blankets are a SIDS risk). A baby who is swaddled should always be on their back. Once your baby starts trying to roll , or by 8 weeks old, it's time to stop swaddling.

What are the best ways to use a baby blanket?

Baby blankets have many uses. If the blanket is thin enough, you can use it to swaddle your baby for safe sleep. You can also use blankets as burp cloths, changing mats, or for tummy time.

Is it safe to cover a baby with a blanket in a car seat?

Blankets are not safe to use over an infant car seat. Babies are apt to fall asleep in the car, and they should not sleep with blankets covering them. Use extra caution if you put a blanket over your baby while they ride in a car seat. Only do so if someone who is not driving is able to supervise and reach the baby. Do not put blankets over your baby before buckling them into the car seat. They should be dressed in just one warm layer that is not bulky. Wearing extra layers or adding blankets before buckling can interfere with the car seat's ability to protect in the case of a crash.

The 8 Best Baby Blankets of 2023

Every baby needs a soft, comfortable blanket that will hold up long enough to last through the toddler and preschool years (and possibly even beyond). According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), while babies should not sleep with loose blankets, they can still play on them and may start to form an attachment. A baby blanket is an essential item to add a baby registry.

Kids will put their beloved blankets through a lot, so you'll want a baby blanket made from a durable material to help it last over the years. When reviewing products, we carefully looked over many factors, including material, age recommendations, ease of cleaning, and safety guidance from the AAP.

Here are the best baby blankets for your little one.

Our Top Picks

Best Overall:

Boritar Baby Blanket at Amazon

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Best Budget:

Hudson Baby Hooded Animal Blanket at Amazon

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Best for Winter:

Pottery Barn Kids Baby Blanket at Potterybarnkids.com

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Best Breathable:

NTBAY Jersey Cotton Quilted Baby Blanket at Amazon

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Best Swaddle:

aden + anais Muslin Swaddles at Amazon

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Best Organic:

Burt’s Bees Baby Reversible Blanket at Amazon

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Best Splurge:

Parachute Waffle Baby Blanket at Parachute

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Best Wearable:

aden + anais Wearable Blanket at Adenandanais.com

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In This Article

Our Picks
What to Look For
FAQ
Why Trust Verywell Family

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Walmart

Pros

Double texture is great for sensory development
Super soft
Warm, but not heavy

Cons

Needs to be washed on cold
Spots and stains may be more visible with lighter colors

The Boritar Baby Blanket tops our list because it features two different textures, has several pattern options, and is big enough to grow with your child. Available in two sizes and several whimsical patterns, this blanket is super soft to the touch with one side having a flat texture and the other with a bumpy feel. It’s double-layered, making it warm but not heavy so it’s great for year-round use.

The kid’s size measures 30 x 40 inches, so it’s large enough to lay flat on the ground for playtime during the first year, but not too large for them to snuggle up with during the toddler and preschool years. It’s safe to toss into the washer and dryer and won’t lose its softness.

Price at time of publication: $20

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 30 x 40 inches or 50 x 60 inches | Material: Polyester/Minky}

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Macy's

Pros

Machine washable and safe for dryer
Hooded design provides extra warmth
Soft fabric

Cons

Smaller size isn’t ideal for preschoolers
Lightweight, so not ideal for cold climates

Aside from being downright adorable, this hooded blanket is made from soft fabric that will keep your child warm but not hot. The blanket comes in a variety of different animals including a fox, elephant, chicken, zebra, dog, bear, and more. It’s perfectly sized for a little one, but will still provide comfort and security to toddlers as they grow.

Price at time of publication: $11

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 28 x 40 inches | Material: Polyester}

Pottery-barn-kids

View On Potterybarnkids.com

Pros

High quality and durably made
Very warm
Super soft on both sides

Cons

Needs to be washed on gentle cycle
Should be removed from dryer promptly
Lighter colors may stain easier

When you think of a plush blanket, this is probably what comes to mind. This blanket is double-sided, with one being soft and flat and the other with a sherpa material, making it fluffy, comfortable, and warm. It's available in three different colors with the option to be personalized—plus, it's washer and dryer friendly.

Price at time of publication: $45

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 30 x 40 inches | Material: Polyester and Polyester Sherpa}

4.9

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Lightweight, soft fabric
Several color/pattern options
Safe for the washer and dryer

Cons

Isn’t ideal for cold months/climates
May start to slightly lose shape over time

This blanket is very comfortable without being too heavy. It’s made from jersey cotton, which is both soft and airy, with microfiber filling, so it won’t cause your little one to overheat. Along the edges of the blanket is reinforced stitching so that it can withstand multiple cycles in the washer and dryer without falling apart. Available in more than 15 color and pattern combinations, the fabric actually gets softer over time.

Price at time of publication: $15

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 30 x 40 inches | Material: Cotton}

4.5

Amazon

View On Amazon View On Adenandanais.com

Pros

Four coordinating swaddles in one pack
Large enough to wrap around the baby or lay on the floor for playtime
Soft and stretchy; perfect for swaddling

Cons

Pricey
There are no solid color options

You get a lot of bang for your buck with this purchase because this pack comes with four adorable swaddles in different (but complementing) colors/patterns. Each swaddle is made from cotton muslin, so they are stretchy, breathable, and soft so swaddling your baby will be a breeze.

You can safely toss these into the washer and dryer and they’ll continue to get softer over time without losing shape or falling apart. There are more than 30 color combinations to choose from, so there is sure to be one that will match your baby’s nursery aesthetic.

Price at time of publication: $60

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 47 x 47 inches | Material: 100% Cotton}

4.9

Amazon

View On Amazon

Pros

Super soft fabric that won’t pill over time
Several pattern options available
Safe for the washer and dryer

Cons

It is a bit thicker, so swaddling may be difficult
Cotton may slightly shrink

This blanket is made from 100% organic cotton, making it warm, breathable, and soft to the touch. It’s designed to serve as a swaddle, security blanket, or soft place to play on the floor. It’s double-sided with different patterns on each side and has reinforced stitching along the edges so that it won’t easily fall apart. The no-pill design and washing machine-friendly fabric mean it will last for a while.

Price at time of publication: $23

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 30 x 40 inches | Material: 100% Organic Cotton}

4.7

Parachute

View On Parachute

Pros

Breathable and warm
Super soft and high quality fabric
Safe for the washer and dryer, no special cycle necessary

Cons

May be too big for toddler to carry
Kids with sensory sensitivity may not like the waffle design/texture

Oversized with a waffle texture, this blanket is extremely soft and simultaneously warm and lightweight. Its waffle design allows for easy, effective airflow while also providing excellent warmth and comfort. You can get this blanket in two neutral colors and toss it into the washer and dryer whenever it needs to be cleaned.

Price at time of publication: $59

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: 50 x 36 inches | Material: 100% Turkish Cotton}

Aden-anais

View On Adenandanais.com

Pros

Breathable material with sleeveless design for extra airflow
Machine washable
Inverted zipper for easy diaper changes

Cons

There are no solid color options
Some babies might not like the feel of a wearable blanket

Made from organic cotton that gets softer with each wash, this wearable blanket is a great alternative to a traditional loose blanket. The sleep sack features an inverted zipper for quick nighttime diaper changes, no sleeves to prevent overheating, and an extra-long length to give babies room to kick and move their legs. Plus, the machine-washable sack is available in several sizes.

Price at time of publication: $40

^{Key Specs:
Dimensions: Varies between sizes | Material: 100% Organic Cotton}

What to Look for in Baby Blankets

Materials

Baby blankets come in all different types of materials, and what works best for one baby may not for another—whether due to sensory preferences or climate. Also, some blankets have multiple materials for a varied experience. When considering different materials, consider washability. If it’s a well-loved blanket, you will need to clean it regularly.

Common materials for baby blankets include:

Muslin: Light, breathable, and stretchy, and an excellent choice for swaddle blankets. Muslin washes well and doesn’t shrink in the dryer.
Wool: Some blankets have a wool filling which makes them very warm and a good option for colder months or climates. Wool often has special washing and/or drying instructions.
Cotton/organic cotton: Soft, airy, durable, and usually safe for a baby’s sensitive skin. Cotton can usually be machine-washed and dried without a problem and makes for a great everyday baby blanket.
Fleece: Very soft and warm with a slightly nubby texture. This is an especially good fabric for colder months or climates, and it’s not necessarily too heavy for warmer months, either; it's just less breathable than other options. Fleece is ideal for a stroller blanket.
Jersey knit: Super airy and lightweight with a bit of stretch and a smooth, soft feel. A lot of adult loungewear clothing is made from jersey knit (so you know it’s cozy). It tends to wash well without issue and is a good option all year long.
Bamboo: Great for sensitive skin, soft to the touch, somewhat stretchy, and breathable. Bamboo is becoming a more and more popular fabric because it feels so soft and is machine-washable and eco-friendly.
Minky: Plush, soft, cozy, and usually has a bumpy texture when it’s used in blankets. A lot of kids’ stuffed animals are also made from this material. The only downside is that it’s not a very breathable fabric, so a baby or kid that runs hot may not like it very much.

Durability

Kids will put their well-loved baby blanket through a lot, which means it needs to be able to withstand all of the wear and tear that comes along with childhood. Between spit-up, accidents, mud, dust, milk, and whatever else a kid can manage to spill on their blanket, it will go through the washer and dryer pretty regularly over the years.

With that in mind, a baby blanket needs to be durable enough to survive without unreasonable tearing, fading, or pilling. Consider the material the blanket is made from and also take a close look at the stitching to see if it seems strong or like it will unravel within a year.

Comfort

Above all else, the blanket needs to be comfortable. The fabric should be soft and stay soft through washes, it should keep a child warm without overheating them, and it should be sized big enough to cover a toddler or preschooler but not so much that it overwhelms them (remember, babies should not sleep with blankets until they are at least 1 year old).

This is going to be the blanket they sleep with, bring in the car with them, insist on taking to overnight stays at relatives’ homes, and carry around the house—so it needs to be cozy.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can a baby sleep with a blanket?

Babies can start sleeping with a blanket when they are 18 months old, but it's fine to wait longer than that too. Never put a baby under 12 months old to bed with a blanket because of the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Instead, keep babies warm with cozy pajamas and/or a sleep sack.
One-year-olds are still at risk of becoming entangled in their blankets, which could obstruct their breathing. So it's best to wait until they reach 18 months or older to give toddlers a blanket in their crib.

Learn More: When Can My Baby Sleep With a Blanket?
How do you swaddle a baby in a blanket?

To swaddle a baby, fold the swaddling blanket into a triangle and lay it down on a flat surface. Place the baby on their back with their feet towards the blanket's bottom corner. First, wrap the top left corner down and across. Then, pull the bottom corner up and around the right shoulder. Last, wrap the top right corner down and across.
Make sure that your baby is swaddled tightly enough that they can't break out of the swaddle (since loose blankets are a SIDS risk). A baby who is swaddled should always be on their back. Once your baby starts trying to roll, or by 8 weeks old, it's time to stop swaddling.

Learn More: How to Swaddle a Baby
What are the best ways to use a baby blanket?

Baby blankets have many uses. If the blanket is thin enough, you can use it to swaddle your baby for safe sleep. You can also use blankets as burp cloths, changing mats, or for tummy time.

Learn More: Why Is Tummy Time Important for Your Baby?
Is it safe to cover a baby with a blanket in a car seat?

Blankets are not safe to use over an infant car seat. Babies are apt to fall asleep in the car, and they should not sleep with blankets covering them. Use extra caution if you put a blanket over your baby while they ride in a car seat. Only do so if someone who is not driving is able to supervise and reach the baby.
Do not put blankets over your baby before buckling them into the car seat. They should be dressed in just one warm layer that is not bulky. Wearing extra layers or adding blankets before buckling can interfere with the car seat's ability to protect in the case of a crash.

Learn More: Winter Coats and Car Seat Safety

Why Trust Verywell Family

Ashley Ziegler is a full-time parenting writer and mom to a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old. She has personal experience in researching and purchasing a variety of children’s products and key considerations she used when selecting these recommendations include materials, design, and user reviews.