Receiving blankets come in all colors and patterns. They are popular at baby showers and as welcome home gifts. "You should have four receiving blankets to lay the baby on wherever you put him down, except in the crib. Never put blankets in the crib," the magazine "Parents" reports.
Receiving blankets are made out of many materials. Some are better than others. "Receiving blankets are usually a thin, soft flannel or knit. Have a couple of heavier blankets on hand to wrap your baby in colder weather or for outdoor walks," the magazine notes.
History
Receiving blankets, particularly those for swaddling, have a long history. Swaddling or wrapping the child to restrict movement is an ancient practice, according to "Pediatrics," the journal of the American Academy of Pediatrics.
The Museum of Childhood reports that swaddling clothes were once the rage. "Swaddling clothes have been used by parents for centuries to keep babies warm by wrapping their limbs up tightly. They have served as a way of restricting the child's movement and therefore keeping them safe," the museum notes.
Time Frame
The trend faded in the United Kingdom and the United States in the 1790s, the Museum of Childhood reports, "as doctors investigated it and parents learn[ed] more about how to care for children. It survived into modern times in some other European countries such as Italy, and some Eastern and tribal cultures continue to use it."
In 2010, swaddling with receiving blankets is commonly practiced in many countries, according to the "Pediatrics" journal.
Features
Standard receiving blankets on store shelves are 30 inches square. They have two main purposes: covering a changing table and swaddling. Choose a slightly larger size if your main purpose is swaddling. "The size that you should look for should be large enough for swaddling a newborn comfortably and small enough to use as a light blanket over older children," reports NaturalEco Organics. The ideal size for receiving blankets, the company notes, is a 34 to 36 inches square.
Expert Insight
"Swaddling keeps a baby's arms close to the body and legs snuggled together," KidsHealth says. Keeping babies warm is one function of swaddling with a receiving blanket. "The surrounding pressure seems to give most newborns a sense of security and comfort," KidsHealth reports.
Technique
KidsHealth recommends the following technique to swaddle a baby: "Spread out the receiving blanket, with one corner folded over slightly. Lay the baby face-up on the blanket with his or her head above the folded corner. Wrap the left corner over the body and tuck it beneath the back of the baby, going under the right arm. Bring the bottom corner up over the baby's feet and pull it toward the head, folding the fabric down if it gets close to the face. Wrap the right corner around the baby, and tuck it under the baby's back on the left side, leaving only the neck and head exposed."
Considerations
Swaddle a baby until he is 4 months old, "Parents" says. Take into account that an older infant may feel too confined, and swaddling may begin to restrict motor development, the website notes.
