7 Best Baby Blankets for Everyday Use
Few parents get through a day without using a baby blanket for something.
Tested by Lexie SachsExecutive Director, Strategy & Operations
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You're going to want a baby blanket — or several. It's one of the most useful and inexpensive items on any list of things that make parenting a baby easier. You can use a baby blanket as an instant play spot on the floor. Pull one around your infant to cover up if you're nursing and want some privacy. Throw it over your shoulder as an emergency burp cloth. Let your baby rub a soft blanket as a method of self-soothing if they're upset. And keep one in the stroller in case it gets windy or chilly and you want to throw it over your baby's legs.
However, babies should not actually sleep under a loose baby blanket. It's a potential suffocation hazard. Instead, for sleep there are many great swaddle blankets and wearable sleep sacks for babies. (And you can read all of the American Academy of Pediatrics safe-sleep guidelines here.)
The Good Housekeeping Institute's product pros test baby blankets in our Textiles Lab and with consumer testers nationwide who try them in their daily life. Also, many of our Lab experts are also parents who test baby blankets with their own little ones. On top of that, we also test new blankets annually as part of our Parenting Awards program. To pick favorites, we considered materials, use, construction, washability, style and more.
Pottery Barn Kids Sherpa Baby Blanket
This soft, plush rectangular blanket is made of synthetic fleece, so it's as snuggly as can be and easy to machine wash if it gets dirty. The underside is a sherpa fabric that's especially nice for a baby to rub their hands over. Our Executive Director of Strategy & Operations, Lexie Sachs, a mom of two, said she found this to be a great choice to layer over a baby in a stroller. You can also just drop it on the floor as an instant play spot, as shown.
It currently comes in seven colors and can be personalized with a name or monogram, so it's also a great gift for new parents. If you're looking to spend less, the brand's Chamois Baby Blanket is less expensive and also customizable, but it's missing that furry backing we love so much. The Sherpa is also a thicker option — it's a quarter-inch thick.
Dimensions: 30" x 40" | Material: Polyester
Related: Best Baby Shower Gifts
You can't get a better deal than a $5 fleece baby blanket, like this cute sheep-covered one from Walmart. This, too, is machine-washable soft polyester. It's thinner and a few inches smaller than our best overall choice, and there's no personalizing this one, but at this price, we're not complaining. It comes wrapped in a bow, so it's still great for gifting. Stock up on a few in case one falls victim to spit-up stains.
Walmart sells this same blanket in a dino print marketed for baby boys and in a rainbow print marketed for baby girls.
Dimensions: 30" x 36" | Material: Polyester
Little Giraffe Chenille Blanket
A "receiving blanket" is so named for being the first blanket that parents use to wrap their naked newborn. Nowadays you'll get a receiving blanket at the hospital that's thin and stretchy. But soft baby blankets with a silky edge are known as receiving blankets too, and they make a luxe baby gift. It makes for a soft spot to lay your baby on at home when they're awake and gazing at the ceiling fan, out the window or at your face. Later, your toddler may adopt this as their "blankie" as they fall in love with its soothing feel.
Little Giraffe's chenille blanket is so snuggly, you might want the large size for yourself or a big kid. The baby version comes in pink or blue. There's also a fancier (and more expensive) version with gray hearts and a ruffled satin edge.
Dimensions: 29" x 35" | Material: Polyester
Aden + Anais Muslin Swaddle Four-Pack
When it comes to muslin swaddles, Aden + Anais has been the go-to brand for almost a couple of decades. The organic cotton fabric is airy and washes well, so don't worry if it ends up on the floor or you need to use it as a burp cloth. Sachs found these swaddles to be incredibly versatile. "I used them as nursing covers, floor blankets and more," she says. "They roll down to a compact size so they're easy to pack in a diaper bag and are super breathable," making them a great baby blanket for summer or travel.
Our parent testers have found these to hold up for years without fraying or showing other signs of wear and tear. If you want to use one to do a proper swaddle on your newborn (from birth to about 3 months), you can watch the founder do a swaddle wrap with one of the square-shaped blankets.
Dimensions: 47" x 47" | Material: Organic cotton
We've had testers give this a five-star rating, with one noting that the luxe merino wool is a "more durable and flexible fabric than other baby blankets, and warm but not heavy." Fine-gauge merino wool has become popular for babywear and baby blankets because it's soft (unlike regular wool), lightweight and breathable. It also doesn't easily absorb odor or water so you can worry less if your baby spits up their milk on it after a meal.
At the Good Housekeeping Institute, we even recommend merino wool for the best thermal underwear for adults. It's that comfy! But our advice for any merino wool garment is to follow the care instructions carefully because any wool can shrink. AU Baby asks you to handwash this blanket in cold water and lay it flat to dry. It also comes in blue, pink, gray and a rosy brown called henna.
Dimensions: 30" x 40" | Material: Merino wool
Stylish parents (and their little ones) love the variety of prints available for this large knit blanket including an assortment of colors and seasonal-feeling patterns like autumn flowers (shown), watercolor peaches or evergreen trees. Unlike other swaddles made of gauzy muslin, this knit fabric is smooth and stretchy. It's large enough to fully wrap your baby in and can grow with them through the toddler years.
Our experts appreciate how soft and lightweight this pick is and its versatility as a receiving blanket, swaddle, stroller blanket and more. It can be particularly cute for newborn photo shoots if you pair it with the brand's matching beanie hats.
Dimensions: 46" x 46" | Material: Polyester/rayon blend
Burt's Bees Baby Organic Cotton Blanket Two-Pack
Though these Burt's Bees blankets are a few inches smaller than the others on our list, they are Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) certified, nice for eco-minded parents. That means the entire manufacturing process (including the cotton growing) follows strict organic standards.
Our experts appreciate the durability and fabric quality of these blankets, especially considering their low price. The cute honeybee print fits into virtually any nursery. The brand has additional GOTS-certified choices like its Cable Knit Blanket and its Organic Cotton Crib Sheet.
Dimensions: 29" x 29" | Material: Organic cotton
5 Other Baby Blankets to Gift
These are just adorable, period.
• Pendleton is a classic American brand, and the Pendleton Organic Cotton Knit Baby Blanket that comes with a matching beanie is a gorgeous gift.
• Boutique brand Coyuchi makes a Cozy Cotton Organic Baby Blanket with a touch of soft chenille that has a shabby-chic, "I'm a baby with a beach house" vibe. Coyuchi is a Good Housekeeping Bedding Awards winner.
• For a beautiful knit baby blanket under $50, we love the reversible Contrast Ribbed Knit Baby Blanket from West Elm, available in three different colorways.
• Cheeky brand Rookie Humans makes Muslin Swaddles that match its amazing sheets for a great photo opp.
• Leave it to Target to have a cozy, if minimalist, Faux Fur Baby Blanket for just $20.
How we test the best baby blankets
The experts in the Good Housekeeping Institute Textiles Lab and Parenting Lab have evaluated dozens of baby blankets over the past eight years, from luxury picks to budget buys. Many baby blankets as well as various children's bedding are tested annually as a part of our Parenting Awards.
We consider factors like material and construction, washability, appearance and style, versatility and more. Many of our pros have used these picks in real life with their own children. We also send baby blankets to consumer tester homes nationwide for feedback about how the blankets hold up in real life with babies of varying ages.
Three things to consider when shopping for a baby blanket
✔️ Material: There's no one best fabric for a baby blanket. If you lean toward natural or organic materials, cotton may be your preference. You can find organic cotton blankets in both stretchy knit and breathable muslin fabrics. If you want something more plush, polyester fabrics like sherpa, fleece and chenille are cozy, soft and typically more durable and affordable. Finally, merino wool has recently become a popular option for lightweight, breathable and durable baby blankets.
✔️ Size: Sometimes smaller is better, especially when considering blankets for strollers or car seats where you wouldn't want to drag excess material. But when you intend to lay a blanket on the floor for tummy time or playtime, a larger one may be more appropriate, plus it will grow with your little one.
✔️ Washability: There will be inevitable messes with a baby, so blankets that can be machine-washed are our preference. However, some delicate options that are hand-wash only may be worth that extra effort.
When can babies safely sleep with a loose blanket?
Babies under a year old should not sleep with a loose blanket because of the risk of asphyxiation — if they accidentally pull it over their mouth, they could suffocate. "Dressing your infant in layers of clothing is preferable to blankets and other coverings to keep the infant warm while reducing the chance of head covering or entrapment that could result from blanket use," says the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) in their recommendations for reducing SIDS. "Wearable blankets can also be used." In the newborn months, you might safely swaddle.
Once your baby has passed their first birthday they can safely sleep with a loose blanket, according to the AAP, though you needn't be in a rush to use one. There are still footie pajamas and wearable blankets for toddlers too.
What's the difference between all of the baby blankets?
Don't get too caught up in these labels. A blanket can be three things at once: a receiving blanket, swaddle and stroller blanket, for instance. But you might hear these terms tossed around.
✔️ Receiving blankets: This is an all-purpose blanket mainly for infants. Though its name is outdated (they were originally used to "receive" the baby at birth), it can wrap an infant, serve as a mat on the floor or even act as an impromptu burp cloth.
Keep the receiving blanket you get at the hospital, like the one shown. And keep any extras the nurses might give you! They're often great burp cloths, emergency changing pads and more, and they are thin enough to easily stash in a diaper bag.
✔️ Swaddle blankets: Swaddle blankets are large lightweight squares and are used to wrap up newborns in a way that mimics the feel of the womb. Because many styles are stretchy and breathable, they can often double as nursing covers.
✔️ Stroller blankets: These keep a baby warm while you're on the go. They're often heavier than other baby blankets, but they're not so big that they'll drag on the ground. Many of them can also be used at home.
✔️ Wearable blankets: It's safest for infants to have absolutely nothing in the crib with them, which is why these wearable options were created. They give the comfort of a blanket without the risks of sleeping with one. Shop them in your child's size, just like clothing.
✔️ Outdoor blankets: While most blankets are for covering, this one goes underneath so baby can play outside without being directly on the ground. Most styles fold down into a carrier to make toting it around easier. We like the one from Little Unicorn in our list of the best picnic blankets.
✔️ Milestone blankets: Use one of these as a picture prop. You lay your baby on it when they turn a new month old, mark how old they are and have the picture as a keepsake. This $30 Milestone Blanket from Honest Baby is cute.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
The Good Housekeeping Institute has been providing expert reviews and advice on everything families need for more than 100 years. We test more than 15,000 products a year to come up with lists of things such as the best nonstick cookware and the best water bottles for kids.
Executive Director of Strategy and Operations Lexie Sachs selected, vetted and tested many of the picks above. For more than 15 years, Lexie has used her degree in fiber science to research, test and write about fabric-based products. Plus, as a mom of two, she's personally tested many other children's products at home, such as toys and baby gear. Sachs heads up the Good Housekeeping Parenting Awards and Family Travel Awards.
This list was written by Contributing Writer Jessica Hartshorn, also a mom of two and a journalist who has covered the juvenile products market for 25 years for magazines such as Parents and American Baby and who serves as a judge for industry awards as well as Good Housekeeping awards.
Jessica (she/her) is a freelance writer with several decades of experience writing lifestyle content and evaluating home and parenting products. A mom of two teens and two cats, her previous work can be seen in American Baby and Parents.
Lexie Sachs (she/her) is the executive director of strategy and operations at the Good Housekeeping Institute and a lead reviewer of products in the bedding, travel, lifestyle, home furnishings and apparel spaces. She has over 15 years of experience in the consumer products industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Lexie serves as an expert source both within Good Housekeeping and other media outlets, regularly appearing on national broadcast TV segments. Prior to joining GH in 2013, Lexie worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries.
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