What Is a Receiving Blanket For?

When you open gifts at a baby shower, don̵7;t be surprised if you end up with a stack of receiving blankets. The versatile, lightweight cloths can serve many purposes besides wrapping your little one up with when the room is cool. Although your baby can quickly outgrow the blanket size, you will want to have plenty of these close at hand.

  1. Swaddling

    • A receiving blanket is the perfect size for bundling a newborn and feels soft and comforting on your baby's tender skin. Open the blanket up in a diamond shape and turn down the top corner. Place your baby face-up with her head just above the turned-down corner. Wrap the right corner across her body with the arm on that side at her stomach. Then tuck the corner between her arm and her body. Bring the bottom corner up over her feet as far as it will reach, tucking the point into the fold. Finish by wrapping the left corner over the baby and tucking that point into the fold at the back of the babies neck. Only your baby̵7;s head is visible above the blanket edge. Be aware though, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that you not swaddle a baby while sleeping after 2 months of age.

    Soft towels

    • Receiving blankets make great burp towels to protect your clothes when you burp the baby after a feeding. Wipe up spit-up milk, or clean food off your child̵7;s face as he grows older. Additionally, keep a receiving blanket close during baths so you can quickly reach for it when baby gets chilly.

    Travel

    • A receiving blanket can easily be used by nursing mothers when breastfeeding in public or if your formula fed baby is easily distracted when drinking her bottle. Just throw the half folded blanket over your shoulder and you and your child can retain some privacy. Toss a receiving blanket over the car seat or stroller to keep the sun from hurting your baby̵7;s eyes.

    2. Previous:

    Next:

    • What are the emotional needs of a baby?
      Babies have a number of emotional needs that are crucial for their development and well-being. These include:Basic Needs:* Security and Safety: Babies need to feel safe and secure in their environment. This means having a consistent caregiver who pro
    • How to Treat Babies With Constipation
      Dealing with a constipated baby can be difficult, as it will make the child frustrated and prone to crying. Parents will also become frustrated, as they cannot comfort the child. Here are directions on how to treat babies with constipation.
    • How to Cope With Crying Jags
      All children cry. Crying is how your baby communicates that shes hungry, needs a diaper change or just wants to be held; and how older children express anger or sadness. Its not always as simple as all that, however, and many children cry for extende