We all have a memory of that one baby blanket that makes us feel instantly soothed just thinking about it, which shows us how important they are during the early years. It can be a cot, stroller or pram blanket, a swaddle or a plushie-attached comforter – the soft touch of any of these blankets is simply irreplaceable!
To help you choose a blanket that both you and your baby will love, we've compiled a list of recommendations from both affordable and luxury brands like Bloomsbury Mill, aden + anais and more, all of which you can easily purchase from Argos, Amazon and John Lewis. Whether you're expecting or you already have a newborn, check out this informative article to buy the best for your little bundle of joy.
Quick List - Top Baby Blankets
Bloomsbury Mill
The Blanket That Both Baby and Parents Will Love
John Lewis & Partners
Made in the UK From Extra-Gentle Organic Cotton
Best Home & Baby
The Perfect Swaddle Blanket for Summer
A recommendation service that carefully researches each product and consults with experts across many disciplines. We are constantly creating new content to provide the best shopping experience from choosing ‘cosmetics’ to ‘food and drink’, ‘home appliances’ to ‘kids and baby’ products, reaching users all across the United Kingdom.
Table of Contents
Baby blankets are essential for the growth of babies as they can feel secure with the soft and cuddly fabric and could fall asleep within a blink. This buying guide will show you what considerations you should take into account, so you'll be able to choose the best blanket for your newborn and possibly save you time from doing the washing.
Baby blankets are about more than just keeping your baby warm, in fact, different types of blankets serve different purposes. We're going to introduce you to the four main styles so you'll know which one (or two) you should get for your baby.
When heading outdoors with your baby, it's always recommended to carry a blanket in case the weather changes for the worst, which is where pram blankets come in handy. They are much lighter than other blankets, as they are specifically designed to be carried around.
You could also use pram blankets in a car seat or for long-distance travelling, keeping your baby warm and comfortable while exploring the world with you!
Similar to pram blankets, cot blankets are used to keep babies warm, except their purpose is for indoor use. Hence, cot blankets generally weigh heavier than those for outdoor use.
However, if you don't mind, you can always interchange your pram and cot blanket as long as you're happy to carry it. If not, there's always the option of choosing designs that are intended to suit both these purposes.
Also known as security blankets, these blankets are typically much smaller than other varieties and are designed to provide comfort and calm babies down.
It's very normal for babies to start experiencing separation anxiety from the age of six months old, and a comfort blanket will help them cope when you're away making a quick coffee in the kitchen.
Additionally, comfort blankets are soft to touch and retain your smell, making them the perfect tool to settle your baby while they're sleeping in a separate room, or when parents are ready to go back to work.
It's important to swaddle newborns up to 5 months old as babies are naturally born with a startle reflex, also known as Moro reflex.
Swaddling babies will prevent them from waking themselves up during their slumber, which means better sleep for them and better sleep for the parents as well. It's a win-win situation!
Usually made from muslin cotton, these blankets are extremely soft and breathable, which makes them the best choice for swaddling your baby in these first few months.
It's safe to say that all baby blankets are soft to touch as this sensation effectively gives them comfort. However, there are several materials that are commonly used to make blankets for infants, which we'll delve into below.
Cotton is the most popular material as the naturally-soft fabric gently cuddles your baby, giving the comfort that's essential during their growth.
While cotton can be good at insulating, it's a breathable material which can prevent your baby from overheating, especially during the summer. It's also hypoallergenic which makes it the best material for babies with any skin type – particularly if you choose organic cotton.
Bamboo viscose is a new favourite for many parents as it has the same soft touch as cotton. Plus, not only is it antibacterial, but it's better at absorbing and dissipating water than cotton, which will prevent your baby from becoming too hot.
Bamboo is also more environmentally-friendly. The plant itself is quick to grow, less water is needed to yield the fabric and it's three times stronger than cotton, meaning a bamboo blanket will last for a really long time.
Other materials such as fleece or plush fabric are also used to make baby blankets, particularly comforters with teddies or toys attached.
Initially made from synthetic fabrics like polyester, this kind of material may make for a more affordable blanket, but it can be irritating if your baby has sensitive skin or allergies.
Babies grow at such a rapid rate that it's difficult to keep up with! By checking the dimensions of the blanket, you'll have a better idea of when they'll grow out of it.
On top of this, if you want the blanket to last through their early years or even into their childhood, you could always choose one with larger dimensions. Reducing the number of items you buy and throw away is also much better for our planet!
Taking care of babies, especially newborns, is extremely exhausting and parents only have limited time to rest. To maximise those rare and precious moments, choose machine-washable blankets, and better yet, those that can be tumble dried too.
It really saves a lot of time when you can wash your baby's blankets by simply popping them into the machine. Depending on the brand, blankets can be washed at 30°C or even 40°C.
Some blankets, especially delicate ones, are only able to be hand washed, so be sure to check the washing method suits your needs – you don't want to open the machine to a ruined blanket!
Air-drying a load of washing can take all day, but being able to tumble dry your baby's blanket will get the job done in less than half the time. This is especially useful if your baby is particularly fond of a specific blanket and desperate to have it with them at all times.
As baby blankets are usually made from very delicate fabrics, you should always tumble dry them at low temperatures, and actually, the lower the better.
However, not all blankets are able to be tumble dried, so remember to check before chucking them in with everything else!
Products | Image | Click to purchase | Key features | |
---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Bloomsbury Mill 100% Pure Organic Cotton Baby Blankets|Twin Pack | ![]() | The Blanket That Both Baby and Parents Will Love | |
2 | John Lewis & Partners Organic Cotton Cellular Cot Blanket | ![]() | Made in the UK From Extra-Gentle Organic Cotton | |
3 | Urban Kanga 2-Layer Muslin Baby Blanket | ![]() | An All-Year-Round Multipurpose Blanket | |
4 | Best Home & Baby Dinosaur & Elephant Muslin Swaddle |Pack of 2 | ![]() | The Perfect Swaddle Blanket for Summer | |
5 | aden + anais Stargaze Baby Swaddle Blanket| Pack of 3 | ![]() | Soft and Calming Colours With Astrological Prints | |
6 | John Lewis & Partners Savanna Animal Muslin Blanket | ![]() | Support Sustainable Cotton Production With This Blanket | |
7 | Jelly Cat Bashful Bunny Cream - Baby Comfort Blanket | ![]() | A Comforter Your Baby Will Soon Be Inseparable From | |
8 | Mimixiong Knitted Double Layer Baby Blanket | ![]() | A Blanket to Use From the Very First Day of Birth | |
9 | Suki Baby Soft Plush Baby's Blankie|Giraffe | ![]() | Explore the World With Mr. Giraffe | |
10 | Clair de Lune Over The Moon Fleece Blanket | ![]() | Hang This by the Cot to Create a Cosy Environment |
There are too many reasons this blanket had to take our top spot. For one, it's made from the highest quality, ethically-produced organic cotton, yet it's also extremely affordable, especially considering it's a twin-pack.
While this soft blanket will keep your baby cosy in a pram, Moses basket or even the car, parents can also let their machines do the washing and drying, allowing some restful breaks or maybe even a moment to catch up on some sleep. That's why we think this blanket really is the best pick for everyone!
If you're looking for a baby blanket that's made in the UK, this product from John Lewis will be your top choice. Made with GOTS-certified organic cotton, you'll be glad to know this cellular blanket has never been treated with any bleach or toxic dyes.
With the largest dimensions on the list and the excellent quality you'd expect, we think the price of this blanket is definitely reasonable. Consider this as an affordable investment – it'll last a long time and could even be passed down to future little ones, especially if you take good care of it.
We're really excited for your baby to try out this blanket! A rare double-layered muslin blanket, the smooth cotton side and waffle pique side will keep your baby warm in both summer and winter, and it can be used in the pram or cot, or even as a swaddle for your mini-me.
This blanket also has the same dimensions as a standard cot, so you can make an extra-cosy surface on top of the mattress for your baby to play on. With so much to think about and buy for newborns, one blanket that serves various purposes is a dream!
Made with a combination of bamboo and cotton, this swaddle has the best features of both materials – super soft and lightweight – making it the ideal blanket for the summer months. You can even use this as a pram cover that creates an airy yet secure space for your baby to fall asleep.
With colourful and adorable animal prints, we're sure your baby will love this blanket right through to their childhood, and it'll soon become a part of their fondest memories.
If you haven't discovered them already, aden + anais is an Australian brand that specialises in high-quality baby products, so you can imagine this trio is made from the finest bamboo viscose. With soft colours and prints, they're not only beautiful but will visually relax both parents and baby.
Many other parents recommend these swaddles too, as they took first place in the 'Best product for newborns' category in the Mother & Baby awards in 2018. And as a pack of three, you'll never have to worry running out of swaddles, nor will you need to restock them!
By purchasing this 100% cotton blanket from John Lewis, you'll be supporting the NPO Better Cotton Initiative, which trains farmers to produce their cotton sustainably. As well as making for a lovely soft material, it's always nice to know your money is going to a good cause.
Although the animal print and subtle colour scheme looks absolutely adorable, this blanket may be a little over budget for some. But if you're eager to help contribute to a fairer world and you're looking for a good quality purchase, why not go for it?
Can't decide between a plushie and a comfort blanket? This product has both! The cute cream-coloured bunny firmly attached to the blanket maximises the soothing effect, especially at bedtime.
If you wish, you can regularly wash this blanket in the washing machine to keep any germs away. Just as with other comforters, this product also has a soft-touch, but as it is made from synthetic polyester it might cause an allergic reaction to babies with sensitive skin.
As a super-soft and very breathable blanket, you can start using this product from the very first day your baby is born. We're sure they'll love the soft touch and sleep peacefully once they're snuggled beneath it. The sheep print may even bring a few good dreams too!
As it's been crochet stitched, this blanket can stretch very easily even when washed by hand, so we'd recommend taking extra care if you want to keep its shape.
Why not start teaching your baby about wildlife from a young age by introducing this cute giraffe comfort blanket? Made from plush fabric and of a good size, Mr. Giraffe feels extra squishy to hold and can grow as they do. Let's hope they become best friends!
We're just slightly disappointed that this blanket can only be hand washed and air-dried, meaning parents really need to plan their schedule ahead so they have the time and energy to give it a good clean.
Sometimes you'll want to have a few spare blankets just by the cot so you can layer accordingly when your baby feels cold. Made from fleece and cotton, you can hang this blanket over the frame to create a cosy and warm environment for your baby while not in use.
With different shades of grey as the main colour, this blanket can look less exciting than some, Plus, while affordable, it's made from a polyester-cotton blend that may not appeal to everyone. But it's always better to have a few blankets lying around the house than none!
If you're already reading about baby blankets, you may also want to take a look at our other baby-related guides and recommendations so you can make sure you've got everything you need for your new arrival.
Wouldn't it be great to be an infant again to experience the soft and cosy touch of your favourite comforter? Impossible as that may be, you now know how to choose the perfect blanket for your own baby – let's hope it helps them to drift off peacefully!
Author: Angina Chow
No. 1: Bloomsbury Mill|100% Pure Organic Cotton Baby Blankets|Twin Pack
No. 2: John Lewis & Partners|Organic Cotton Cellular Cot Blanket
No. 3: Urban Kanga|2-Layer Muslin Baby Blanket
No. 4: Best Home & Baby|Dinosaur & Elephant Muslin Swaddle |Pack of 2
No. 5: aden + anais|Stargaze Baby Swaddle Blanket| Pack of 3
View Full RankingThe descriptions of each product are referenced from content available on manufacturer, brand, and e-commerce sites.
Automotive
Baby Products
Beauty
Books
Business, Industry & Science
Computers & Accessories
DIY, Garden & Tools
Electronics & Photo
Fashion
Grocery
Health & Personal Care
Home & Kitchen
Large Appliances
Musical Instruments & DJ
PC & Video Games
Pet Supplies
Sports & Outdoors
Stationery & Office Products
Toys & Games