About Baby's Blankets
Baby blankets are a necessary item for parents of young children. These blankets provide security for the baby while keeping her warm. Often, as the baby grows, she will develop an attachment to a certain blanket. When purchasing a new blanket for a baby or young child, there are some things you must consider.
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Types
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There are two basic types of baby blankets: flat blankets and swaddling blankets. Flat blankets are exactly that: flat. They can be used to cover the baby when going out into the wind, night air or cold. Swaddling blankets are used to safely cover a baby while he is sleeping.
Identification
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A flat baby blanket is easily identified by its relatively small size compared with adult blankets. Swaddling blankets usually have snaps, zippers or Velcro to keep the blanket fastened securely around the baby. Baby blankets usually have a colorful pattern. Some are a single solid color, often a pastel.
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Considerations
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The material you choose for a baby's blanket depends on the average temperatures in the baby's room. Babies tend to get warmer faster than adults. Because of this, using a natural fiber blanket, such as light-weight cotton, is a good idea. Look for fire-retardant blankets. These blankets won't burn as fast as a regular blanket and will provide your baby protection in case of a fire. When you wash a fire-retardant blanket, don't use fabric softener, as it will break down the fire-retardant additive.
Prevention/Solution
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Baby blankets will get dirty. As such, if you have an heirloom blanket, you should consider using it as a decoration in your baby's room instead of allowing your baby to use it. This prevents it from becoming stained or tattered. If you decide to let your baby use it, make sure you wash out all stains immediately after they are formed. The less time the blanket stays dirty, the less noticeable the stain will be.
Warning
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The Consumer Product Safety Commission (see Resources) recommends that babies sleep in sleep sacks or blanket sleepers as an alternative to using blankets. This is to reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
If you decide that your baby must sleep with a blanket, secure the blanket on three sides under the mattress. Place the baby under the blanket only up to his chest. Leave his arms free. Check on him while he is sleeping to ensure his head remains uncovered. There have been reports of babies dying in bed because of a soft blanket covering the mouth, nose and face.
Function
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The basic function of a baby blanket is to keep your baby warm. It can also be used as a way of introducing a new baby to a family pet. Cats and dogs are sensitive to environmental changes. Bringing home a baby may make the animal nervous. Before bringing the baby home from the hospital, introduce the baby's smell to the pet by allowing it to smell a blanket that was used to swaddle the baby at the hospital. This alleviates some of the nervousness the pet will have when the baby comes home.
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Resources
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Comments
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It's a shame this article calls for fire retardant blankets! Exposure to toxic chemicals used to make such blankets fire resistant pose much more danger than fire. Especially, if you don't have smokers in the house and never allow kids to play with candles, matches, or lighters.
