When you look for a blanket for your baby, what do you look for? What type of print, material, colors, etc...? I would love to hear everyones thoughts. Thank you!
Material and the ability to go through the washer/dryer quickly. My mom once bought a blanket that could be washed but needed to be hang dried. That one ended up in the closet quickly.
Hi J.,
I would just say something soft, with a nice texture. My son is 2 1/2 and still loves his blankie. I notice he rubs the fabric and it is very comforting to him. Also one that is neither too small nor too big because he/she may carry it around. Hope this helps.
Hmm. My Limited Thoughts on Blankies:
The first attribute I would look for was SOFT. After that, I'd look for cuteness, then practicality (mid-tone colors or prints show stains less, dark colors seemed to... dark.) I'd stay away from any loose strings, or fabrics that attract too much fuzz, furr etc.
I say get the stroller blanket from target.com. You can tie it to your stroller, so it doesn't come off and can be used as a picnic blanket. Too late for us. We already have too many! You can also find it on amazon.com
Our daughter really likes the satin material on the edges of blankets, so see what texture your baby likes!
My preferences would be for a baby who will grow up into a toddler with the blanket. If a 2yr old toddler were to be getting a new blanket, say for a new bed, I'm not sure I have good advise ... I suppose the following still applies, but you could probably do without worrying about #2... and maybe #5.
Rules for choosing a baby blanket:
1) made from organic cotton (my son now knaws on the corners.. recently "the binkie fairy picked up his binkie, to bring it to a new little baby.")
2) no appliques/decorations attached to the blanket: patches, loops, beading, fringes, buttons... all are easily a choking hazard OR just a risk of injury... My other infant got her finger all twisted up in some small loose loops on the edge of a knitted blanket ... she tried to twist and get free, but ended up making it tighter around her finger, until she cried so loud to communicate the problem. Yes, her finger was already turning purple!!
3) pick a darker color: to cover those permanent stains, like cranberry juice... vs. picking some shade of white.
4) choose some very durable stitching because you'll be washing this more than anything else in the house.
5) buy multiple of the same blanket,, and switch them around with the baby early on.... also, wash all of them as often as the others... because you need to pull out the emergency "blankie" , when the original is Missing in Action. And there is NO SUBSTITUTE, if an infant has grown attached to a particulat blanket. My son would tolerate the substitute to some extent, but only after we tore up the house looking for the original... he always knows the difference...
however, once the extra blanket started to get the same wear and tear 'look-n-feel', it became an acceptable 'temporary' substitute, without all the drama.
It all depends on the child's prteferences for me. my daughter loved the Gerber brand thermal recieving blankets in any color. My son however prefer a fuzzy texture. The softer and fuzzier it is the better for him. Both also have fleece blankets that were made for them. The fringe pieces are big and hand tied.. no small loops.
Definetly have multiples and the blankets should be easily washable
i look for the material that it is made of and the comfort factors first. then i go on to the pattern/colors and so forth.
I think stuff from Pottery Barn is the best. Soft, durable, and classic. I hate cartoon characters. Animals are always a plus, expecially farm animals. No sports stuff either.
J.,
My 2 year old loves what I thought was the least attractive blanket. Its soft on one side and has a bumpy texture on the other. He loves to rub the bumpy side between his fingers. It seems to soothe him.
R.
