Shopping for baby stuff and wondering what the difference is between a receiving blanket and swaddle?
I swear that babies need to come with a thesaurus so that you can figure out all of new terms that come along with them!
Babies have slightly different bedding to older kids and adults, because there is a risk they can overheat under duvets.
So if you are wondering what on earth a receiving blanket is, whether you need a receiving blanket and if you also need to invest in a swaddle too, you’re in the right place!
Receiving blanket vs swaddle? We’ve got the answers right here!
Before we get to it, if you are confused by any other baby clothing terminology such as the difference between a onesie and bodysuit, then you need to check out my post on different types of baby clothes.
This post contains affiliate links.
What is a receiving blanket?
A receiving blanket is a light, thin blanket that you swaddle, wrap or cover your newborn baby with.
They got the name because receiving blankets were what was traditionally used in the delivery room, with babies wrapped up in one before being “received” by their parents after birth.
So this was traditionally the first blanket a baby was wrapped in. Now it’s a term that covers a blanket used in the early months with a newborn baby and they can be used for a huge range of things.
Receiving blankets are typically around 30ins by 30ins or rectangular.
The receiving blanket does not have to have a specific “look” and it isn’t made from a particular type of material. It could be made from light cotton or soft flannel. However the classic receiving blanket you would probably recognise is the blue and red striped white blanket typically used in (mainly US) hospitals (scroll down to see a video on swaddling on you’ll see one there).
The receiving blanket is traditionally very versatile and can be used for swaddling as well as a light blanket to cover baby when out and about.
They’re made from a light fabric so that baby does not overheat if they are used for swaddling.
Duvets are not recommended for babies, as stated by the NHS, so light blankets that can layered to add warmth are the best thing to use. Such as a receiving blanket!
You can use receiving blankets for the following things:
- Swaddling (where baby is wrapped in a light, breathable blanket below the neck)
- An extra blanket over baby to keep them warm at night (remember to tuck it under their arms so it does not cover their face)
- Burping
- Tummy time mat
- Play mat
- Breastfeeding cover
- Changing mat cover (to soak up any accidents when changing the nappy)
- Makeshift bib
- Car seat cover
What is a swaddle?
A swaddle is a blanket used to wrap up, or swaddle, a newborn baby.
Swaddling is where a baby is wrapped below the neck in a way to make them feel snug and secure.
It can help them to sleep as being wrapped up snuggly reminds baby of being in the womb.
Swaddle blankets come in many different forms. The traditional swaddle blanket would be a thin cotton square or rectangular blanket, such as a receiving blanket, that you wrapped around baby.
However you can now purchase pre-made swaddles that do up with poppers or zips or have winged sides to make them easy to fold snugly around your baby.
This means there is no more fumbling around in the dark trying to secure a blanket as a swaddle!
How to swaddle your baby
If you do have a square or rectangular blanket (such as a receiving blanket) then here’s a step-by-step guide to how you can use it to swaddle your baby.
- Fold swaddle into a triangle and place baby into the centre with their shoulders just below the fold.
- Place your baby’s right arm across their body then pull the right hand part of the swaddle across baby’s chest (with their arm under the fabric) and tuck the edge of the swaddle under their body and beneath their left arm.
- Fold the bottom of the swaddle up and over baby’s feet. Tuck the fabric into the top of the swaddle.
- Place baby’s left arm alongside their body and take the left hand side of the swaddle and pull it across baby’s chest over their arm. Tuck the edge of the fabric under their body.
The swaddle should be snug, but not too tight and the fabric should be loose around the hips so their legs can move freely.
You should stop swaddling once your baby shows signs they are learning to roll over, which can be at around two to three months.
If all of this looks daunting then buy a pre-made swaddle that you pop baby in just like a sleeping bag!
Receiving blanket vs swaddle: What’s the difference between a receiving blanket and swaddle?
A receiving blanket is a thin baby blanket that can be used to swaddle or cover a newborn baby, and a swaddle is a blanket or pre-wrapped cover used to swaddle a baby.
So a receiving blanket can be used as a swaddle blanket. And a blanket used to swaddle may be a receiving blanket.
The two terms are then fairly interchangeable.
Both are made from light and breathable fabrics, both are used to swaddle a baby and both are for the newborn days.
The key difference when it comes to receiving blankets vs swaddles seems to be size, with many swaddle blankets slightly bigger than traditional receiving blankets.
Receiving blankets may also tend to be thicker, whereas swaddle blankets are often made from lighter material such as giant muslin swaddles.
What is a baby shawl?
If a receiving blanket is something you first wrap your baby in and a swaddle is used to wrap your baby up tight, what is a baby shawl?
This is another type of blanket used for newborns!
A baby shawl is a square or rectangular type of blanket made from wool, cashmere, merino or cotton.
They tend to be white or cream and feature pretty detail and scalloping around the edges.
Prince George was presented to the world by his parents the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge wrapped in a baby shawl back in 2013 outside St Mary’s Hospital in London shortly after his birth.
Pretty shawls are often used in newborn baby photography as they are pretty and practical, with more of a traditional look to them than other modern baby blankets.
Are receiving blankets necessary?
No you don’t have to buy any receiving blankets for your baby, but you may well find yourself with something very similar to what a receiving blanket is!
Many newborn baby blankets on the market are basically receiving blankets, but they’re just not specifically called that.
They may simply be called baby blanket, swaddling blankets, cellular blankets, muslin blanket or newborn blanket.
Look for things like giant swaddling muslins (which are light and perfect for use as swaddles, blankets or burp cloths), light cotton blankets or cotton cellular blankets.
These are all perfect as first blankets for a newborn baby that are light enough to be used as layers if your baby is born in winter or as nights get chillier.
You may also like: Newborn baby essentials
How many receiving blankets do you need for a baby?
Four to six receiving blankets is a good number to start with for your newborn baby. It often depends on how often you prefer to do laundry as to whether you need a higher number of items or not!
This means if there are any accidents or spillages during nappy changes or when feeding you will always have some spare, plus you can layer blankets up in the winter to keep baby warm.
But as I’ve said above, many baby blankets do the same job as receiving blankets but they just aren’t specifically called that.
Don’t get too hung up on finding a product that specifically fits the bill of a receiving blanket.
You may well find it useful to have two to three swaddle blankets and two to three receiving blankets. Then when your baby is a few months old you may like to switch to baby sleeping bags which are great as baby cannot kick them off!
Tips for using blankets with your baby
When using swaddle, receiving blankets or any other bedding with your baby, try following these tips:
- When tucking your baby in, remember to make sure blankets are tucked below baby’s shoulder level and their feet are at the bottom of the bed, so that they cannot wriggle under the covers.
- When swaddling keep the swaddle loose so that baby can move their legs freely as this is better for their hips.
- Whatever type of baby blanket you choose, go for lighter layers, such as cellular blankets, that can be added and removed depending on the temperature of the room. You may find the temperature of baby’s room will drop overnight, so you may want to add a blanket before you go to bed.
- Choose machine washable bedding. Accidents will happen with babies and it’s much easier to be able to throw everything into a washing machine.
- Baby sleeping bags are fantastic once baby is a few weeks old. They prevent your little one from kicking the covers off their legs. They come in different tog ratings which you can use depending on the season and temperature of their room.
Related posts: Tips for newborn baby safety
25 tricks to get baby to sleep
