The Best Baby Blankets for a Secure Night’s Sleep
Newborns should never sleep with blankets or other loose items simply because they are not strong enough to move away from anything that may cover their faces or entangle them. But as they get older and approach their first year, generally they have already taken control of a favored blanket or stuffy as a comfort object.
These choices provide a calming and peaceful association to your baby, and are often a common denominator to help them relax and sleep no matter where they may be laid down to rest. Take into account some of these favored best baby blanket options to introduce your child to their first ‘security’ object.
| Rank | Product | Highlights |
| #1 |  BORITAR Baby Blanket Super Soft Minky with Double Layer Dotted Backing
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| #2 |  Mary Meyer Super Soft Stuffed Animal Security Blanket
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| #3 |  Baby Sense Taglet Baby Blanket with Pacifier Tag
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| #4 |  Aden by Aden + Anais Issie Security Blanket Set
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| #5 |  Burt’s Bees Baby- Cable Knit Blanket
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You may want to read: Best Wearable Baby Blanket
Table Of Contents
- Baby Blankets
- Emotionally Calming
- Physically Comforting
- Transition From Nighttime Feedings and Weaning
- What to Look for in a Baby Blanket
- Choosing a Security Blanket
- Security Blanket Concerns
- Best Baby Blankets for Comfort and Security
- BORITAR Baby Blanket Super Soft Minky with Double Layer Dotted Backing
- Mary Meyer Super Soft Stuffed Animal Security Blanket
- Baby Sense Taglet Baby Blanket with Pacifier Tag
- Aden by Aden + Anais Issie Security Blanket Set
- Burt’s Bees Baby- Cable Knit Blanket
- Conclusion
Baby Blankets
Baby blankets are so much more than just a blanket used for warmth or swaddling when your child first comes home. Since loose bedding can be dangerous, blankets are not needed, nor are they suggested for children under 12 months of age unless used with parental supervision (such as when being held or nursed). Once introduced, babies begin to associate these products with something other than simply bedding, and will begin to form comfort attachments.
Baby blankets can be as simple as the swaddling cloth your child comes home from the hospital in, a specially made gift, or even a blanket that has various fabric options sewn into the design to provide sensory choices to feel. No matter which type your baby chooses, once they grab hold, they often will continue to turn to it for years to come as a way to self-soothe and relax.
Emotionally Calming
Between 8 and 12 months of age, many children begin to recognize objects as something that belongs to them and will often choose a comfort object, or objects as a symbol of calming and quiet moments. It is common for children to choose both a blanket and stuffed animal of some sort, as well as hold onto those objects well into their elementary years. In fact, they often will refuse to allow it to be replaced even if it gets ratty, and will insist on bringing it along – especially during new situations as a way to provide an emotionally familiar object until the situation becomes less stressful to them.
Physically Comforting
The physical comfort these objects provide is also almost as important as the emotional. They provide a familiar reminder of peace and quiet, and children are also often tied into the physical smell they provide as well as the feel of the blanket. They are an object in their control also, which can be helpful in situations that feel overwhelming and new.
Transition From Nighttime Feedings and Weaning
When your cold is still considered an infant, chances are you have a feeding scheduled as a means to soothe and quiet them for bed. As they get older they may not eat as often, and you may start to slowly wean them off nursing or a bottle as a way to fall asleep each night. A physical reminder of these feeding times is a good way to help make these transitions in a more calming, less stressful manner.
What to Look for in a Baby Blanket
With the huge array of blankets available for your baby, you want to look for choices that have more naturally comforting details. Textures are a large part of a growing child’s world as they begin to recognize the feeling, and offering soft, easy to grab, smooth, or fuzzy surfaces are often very popular. Many blankets provide multiple textures for this exploration.
Size is also a consideration as the larger a blanket is, the harder it may be for a young child to carry or drag. Look for smaller blankets that are lightweight and easy to carry, as well as those that are not necessarily long enough to tangle up in.
Material may also be of a concern due to skin sensitivities, so be sure to look for cotton and soft polyesters that are hypoallergenic and not known to cause skin issues.
You may also find some blankets that come with a built-in stuffed animal for those children that like to hold onto something a bit more than what a blanket offers. Others may have details such as safety snaps to allow for the attachment of a pacifier or other soothing object- such as a teething ring.
Choosing a Security Blanket
Oftentimes a parent, family member, or friend picks out or makes a perfect baby blanket. Don’t get your hopes set on this being ‘the one’ however, as your child is going to pick their favorite feeling option without any rhyme or reasoning to their decision. It could be the feel of the object, an association they make with it, or even the smell it provides. They may appreciate and want other choices around when home, but their ONE pick will almost always be the one they want to consistently take with them from one location to the next.
Security Blanket Concerns
Many times parents are concerned by the attachment their children show to a security object and worry that an attachment issue or some sort of regular discomfort is present in their child’s life. Parents may believe they need to remove a blanket or other object used in such a manner to help them to adjust on their own to what they perceive as maladjustment in their day to day lives. But, this is actually the opposite of what is going on.
Security objects are actually natural and support a child’s healthy perception of transition. Their use suggests that they are cognitive and aware enough to make note of a way to help them self-soothe and cope with being alone at night, or in new situations. This also helps them build independence and makes them aware of their own control over emotions and situations with the help a comforting object brings.
Best Baby Blankets for Comfort and Security
If you would like to supply your child with some blanket options, or offer one as a gift, the following choices are quality designs that provide everything from simple, comforting materials to sensory clothes and designs.
BORITAR Baby Blanket Super Soft Minky with Double Layer Dotted Backing
Specs:
- Size: 30 x 40 inches / 50 x 60 inches
- Material: Soft polyester minky texture
- Best For: Soft comfort, sensory needs, multi-use
Best Comforting Minky Blanket
Sometimes a simple, traditional style blanket is all your child needs to feel comforted. This dual-sided minky blanket provides a soft, smooth side and a bumpy, soft side for added texture and sensory comfort. Available in two sizes and multiple patterns and colors, they are sure to be a favorite choice. Use as a comfort aid, stroller or carrier cover, lap warmer, or even nursing; this choice is easily washable as well (which is a must for baby products!).
Mary Meyer Super Soft Stuffed Animal Security Blanket
Specs:
- Size: 13 x 13 inches
- Material: Soft Polyester and satin
- Best For: Sensory needs, grasping and hugging, soft comfort
Best Blanket and Stuffed Animal Combo
If your child likes to have something substantial to grab hold of, this stuffed animal and blanket combination is a perfect option. Available in multiple animal choices, they are made with soft, fuzzy polyester and the edges of the blanket have a satin trim to support those sensory needs your child may have. The 13 x 13-inch size is perfect for grabbing hold of and easy to carry around. Plus, it is easy to wash.
Baby Sense Taglet Baby Blanket with Pacifier Tag
Specs:
- Size: 10 x 10 inches
- Material: Soft Polyester and Satin
- Best For: Sensory soothing, pacifier users, teething comfort
Best Sensory Blanket
This is the ultimate sensory blanket for babies. The soft 10 x 10-inch minky blanket has a smooth, fuzzy side; a nubbed, fuzzy side; multiple satin tabs; and a pacifier snap to help provide further soothing comfort. Small and lightweight, it is an easy blanket to grab hold of and carry around, and provides a durable option and multiple uses for a growing child. It also is small enough to be a safer alternative compared to a larger blanket.
Aden by Aden + Anais Issie Security Blanket Set
Specs:
- Size: 16 x 16 inches
- Material: Soft cotton and satin
- Best For: Replacement of washed or lost items, soothing, sensory
Best Set for Backup
If your child has a favorite blanket, it IS going to get filthy dirty and will need to be washed regularly. Because of this, sometimes it is best to have two of the same product (or at least similar) to avoid any issues with a ‘missing’ comfort item. These super soft, cotton muslin blankets are 16 x 16 inches and have a smooth satin border and come in a set, to provide IDENTICAL blankets for when a fill-in double is a must.
Burt’s Bees Baby- Cable Knit Blanket
Specs:
- Size: 30 x 40 inches
- Material: 100% organic cotton
- Best For: Comfort, nursing cover, tummy time, sensory
Best Knit Blanket
Children love to gasp at the plush, soft, and thick materials and Burt’s Bees Baby products are designed with quality comfort in mind. Their Cable Knit Blanket measures 30 x 40 inches and comes in multiple colors to provide a 100% certified organic cotton softness for your child. Perfect for comfort, nursing, and a cover it is considered a durable, lasting product that is sure to become a favorite.
Conclusion
No matter which blanket your child chooses as their favorite, these are all quality products that will last through years of love and use, and can grow with your child as a favorite soothing comfort. All provide sensory texture in some manner, and allow for safe use with age appropriate milestones. They also provide amazing gifts to those with new children, or who are expecting.
Remember, your baby will pick the object they feel most comfortable with, so never feel hurt your favorite is not the same as theirs. These are excellent products to have for transitioning into new scenarios for feeding and sleeping, as well as new environments and you want them to have the familiar choice they have handpicked to self-soothe.