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How Many Blankets Does a Baby Need?

It can be a tricky thing making sure your little one’s the right temperature. Too many layers or blankets and they can overheat, while too few can lead to restless night’s sleep as they’re too cold. To help, we’ve shared our advice on how many blankets you need for your baby.

How Many Blankets Does a Baby Need?
2 Purebaby blankets with pom pom details hanging from wooden rail

We recommend at least two to three blankets to make life a little easier— that being said, the more blankets you have, the easier it is to rotate them through being used and washed. The rule of three applies here, one in use, one in the wash and one in the cupboard ready for when you need it. Blankets can take longer to dry then other items, as they often can’t be tumble dried.

Here is a more detailed breakdown of how many blankets you may need:

  • Warm weather: 3 lightweight blankets
  • Cool weather: 3 heavier blankets, or 4 to 5 lightweight blankets that can be layered
  • Playtime: 2 to 4 blankets which you can use during tummy time or when they’re playing
  • Changing: 1 or 2 blankets that you can use over a changing pad
  • Feeding: 1 or 2 blankets that you can roll up and use to support baby while feeding.

If you are able to wash your baby blankets more frequently, you’ll need fewer—and the opposite if washing happens less often.

How to choose a baby blanket?

Our cable blankets, made from 100% organic cotton, are incredibly soft and perfect for tucking in your little one for a secure night’s sleep. We also feature a wide range of baby blanket sizes, making it easy to pick and choose the right blanket for your little one.

For adventures in the pram, our eyelet blankets are a perfect option. Bunny rugs and muslins can be used to swaddle your baby, whilst blankets are to provide an extra layer of warmth.

Close up of 4 baby blankets in varied colours

How to clean baby blankets?

Since you’ll be likely using your baby blankets on a daily basis, it’s important to take care of them and wash them frequently. Ensuring that stains are removed prior to washing will also help keep your blankets in great shape for years to come:

  1. Stain removal: Remove any stains from the blanket by dabbing, not rubbing, the affected area with cold water. A mild detergent can also be used to lift stains. Don’t use bleach or soak the blanket to remove stains.
  2. Washing: If using a washing machine, use a cold gentle wash cycle with a baby-safe mild detergent. Wash with other similar coloured blankets and bedding. Baby blankets can also be hand washed, just ensure that the blanket isn’t stretched or pulled while doing it.
  3. To dry: reshape the blanket and place it on a flat surface or hanger to air dry out of direct sunlight. Don’t wring or twist the water out of the blanket. You can warm iron the reverse pattern side, however, do not iron the printed surface, dry clean or tumble dry.
  4. Once dry: the baby blanket can be folded or rolled for storage.

How frequently should you wash baby blankets?

How often you wash your baby blankets will depend on how much use they get. Some blankets such as feeding and changing blankets may need to be washed daily, while blankets for playtime or the pram may not be used as often and therefore not needed to be washed.

Whichever blanket you choose, we recommend you choose something that’s made from organic cotton, which will allow your little ones skin to breathe.

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