A receiving blanket is the blanket that a child comes home from the hospital in. It is a must for any new parent. A child's receiving blanket usually becomes a cherished keepsake in the future, but it also has very practical purposes. These blankets quickly become a staple for new parents and make a great gift.

Newborns are comforted by being warm and secure. Receiving blankets provide that warmth and security when the child is swaddled properly. There are many options available for receiving blankets. Generally, receiving blankets are either fashionable or functional. Occasionally they are both.

Types of Receiving Blankets

Fashionable receiving blankets can be elaborately decorated with baby themed prints or even embroidered with the child's name. Some are hand knitted and others are machine made. They can be made of cotton, fleece, or quilted materials. The trend, however, has moved away from the overly ornate blankets in favor of a more contemporary and simplistic design. A simple pattern of stripes or polka dots is often preferred.

Functional blankets address the needs of the child foremost. One of the primary uses of a blanket is to swaddle a newborn. Swaddling is wrapping a baby tightly in a compact package. This is helpful in quieting a newborn as it simulates how the baby felt in the compact womb. Some blankets come with swaddling instructions sewn in for ease. Mothers also use receiving blankets to shield themselves during nursing and for other purposes. For this reason, a receiving blanket should be a large size in order to be multi-functional.