

What Is A Receiving Blanket? Everything To Know

The answer to what is a receiving blanket is already mentioned from the name itself. Receiving blanket is so-called because it receives the newborn. Therefore, it’s the first blanket you’ll use to wrap an infant and not to be confused with a baby blanket

Like other blankets, you’ll find various materials for the receiving blanket. There are even multiple colors and designs, so it makes a great gift idea. Continue reading below to know more about this product. 


What Is A Receiving Blanket

What Is A Receiving Blanket Used For?

If you’re unsure of a receiving blanket, the name itself gives you a clue when a baby uses it. It is what “receives” a newborn after birth to help them feel warm and secured. Most parents own multiple receiving blankets, which typically have the dimensions of 30 by 40 inches. 

As we have mentioned, parents use this blanket to receive their newborn. Therefore, it uses comfortable and warm materials such as flannel cotton and even comes in different colors and patterns. What makes receiving blankets newborn-friendly is that they are durable for heavy use and different temperature conditions to ensure that your little one always feels cozy. 


How is a receiving blanket different from a swaddling blanket? 

You can easily distinguish a swaddling blanket from a receiving blanket by how stretchable it is. It also has other features like flaps and velcro designed to make wrapping more efficient. However, receiving blankets is also helpful in swaddling newborns as it is a multi-purpose item. 

Simply put, a swaddling blanket is designed with one purpose in mind, and it is to keep snug on a swaddled baby. On the other hand, you will need the proper folding techniques when using a receiving blanket for swaddling since it doesn’t have additional features like velcro or flaps. More so, a receiving blanket has other uses. 


How to use a receiving blanket?


For cuddling your newborn

You’ll immediately wrap your wiggly newborn in a receiving blanket for calming and cuddling him/her. But after some time, you can also use it to keep him/her warm after a bath. Some parents even use the receiving blanket when they’re out and about with their baby. 


For cover-up during strolls and nursing

For example, it can serve as a cover-up for nursing to give moms privacy when breastfeeding. And depending on the material, the blanket can also be used to cover the stroller during a sunny day effectively. Remember that receiving blankets are durable?


For keeping your baby clean

They are also easy to clean, making them perfect for diaper changing, eating, and playing. You can conveniently carry their small size, and you don’t have to worry about bringing other items. 


What Is The Point Of A Receiving Blanket?


Makes the outside world less scary for a newborn

The main point of a receiving blanket is to ease your newborn in his/her new surroundings. Remember that the environment can feel overwhelming, especially coming from the womb with constant temperature, quiet noise, and a dark atmosphere. A receiving blanket will provide a sense of warmth and security as your newborn adjusts. 

While that is the traditional purpose of a receiving blanket, it is also helpful for other things, as discussed earlier. Therefore, one can say that a receiving blanket becomes your baby’s constant company during this early period of adjustment. Nowadays, receiving blankets are not only for receiving a newborn, but it will also stay throughout the early days to keep your little one feel secure. 


How Many Receiving Blankets Does A Newborn Need?

Because of its primary purpose and other uses on the side, you can get at least four receiving blankets for your little one. In truth, you can get as much as you want, so you’ll always have extras within reach. One might get dirty or lost, so it’s always nice to have another receiving blanket in your diaper bag. 

Receiving blankets is generally easy to clean, and you can wash them as often as needed. If they’re not soiled, you can wash them every two weeks to ensure that your baby always uses a clean one. And perhaps you will need to replace your baby’s receiving blanket if it’s no longer as soft or if it has been worn down.


Does The Hospital Give You Receiving Blankets?

It would be better to prepare one or two receiving blankets on the delivery day, but hospitals typically provide the receiving blanket. However, you must always ask if you need to give the hospital receiving blanket back to avoid awkward moments when it’s time to leave. Every hospital is different, so don’t hesitate to ask what items you will need to bring for your baby’s arrival.


Why Are All Receiving Blankets The Same?

Speaking of hospital receiving blankets, you might notice that all blankets use the same one. These soft flannel cotton blankets are from Medline, a US company. Medline calls these blankets Kuddle-Up, and the most common ones in the hospitals are the easily recognizable striped ones



An item you must have to prepare for your newborn is a receiving blanket. What is a receiving blanket? From the name itself, it receives your little one to help him/her adjust to the outside world. 

It also has various uses, so make sure to have at least four blankets in stock. 

How Big Is A Throw Blanket

How Big Is A Throw Blanket? The Best Size Guide

If you want to know how big is a throw blanket, you can expect it to be around 50 by 36 inches. This dimension is the typical sizing for standard throw blankets, but you can expect some variations like with other blanket types. Furthermore, you want to familiarize yourself with the sizing of throw blankets. 

This will help you buy the right one for your intended use. This article will also teach you some main differences between a throw blanket and a typical blanket. So without further ado, here is everything you need to know about throw sizes.


What Is The Average Size Of A Throw Blanket?

Much like with other blankets, manufacturers may have variations with their throw blanket sizes. However, the average size of a throw blanket typically is around 50 by 36 inches. This is different from your traditional blankets that use twin, king, and queen bed dimensions. 

Besides the dimensions mentioned, you can also expect throw blankets to measure 50 by 60 inches, 54 by 60 inches, or 54 by 72 inches. Some brands prefer their throws to not be in a perfect square shape. But to help you know if your blanket is considered a throw, it should only have a maximum of 54 inches in width. 


What is a throw blanket?

Why do throw blankets don’t have the exact dimensions as your typical bedding blankets? Remember that the smaller size is meant for the expected usage of throw blankets. It can be used to decorate the bed or couch, but it’s also not too small as it will still be comfortable to lounge with. 


What Is A Good Size For A Throw?

All of the dimensions mentioned are suitable sizes for a throw blanket. But to get the most of your throw, always consider how you would want to use it. For example, you can get away with the standard size of 50 by 36 inches if you wish to have additional material for sleeping. 

You may also want a 50 by 60-inch throw if you want more material to cuddle with when watching the TV on the sofa. These dimensions are still not too big to fold the blanket and place on the bed foot or drape over the couch. A helpful tip to keep in mind is that you also need to consider the material your throw blanket uses as it can affect its look for decoration or feel for usage. 


Is A Throw Blanket Big Enough?

A throw blanket is big enough if you understand that it’s not going to cover you as extensively as traditional blankets that come in twin, queen, or king sizes. You can still sleep with a throw blanket because of the materials it uses, but it won’t wrap you as satisfyingly as with bed blankets. More so, the size of a throw blanket only makes it ideal for one person, so those who look forward to sharing the coziness with a friend or partner should use a proper blanket. 

Still, throw blankets are big enough for various uses. One, it’s easy to pack for picnics and car trips. Second, the size is ideal not to overwhelm your setting and still improve its looks. And third, you can hang the throw blanket as a tapestry without looking too awkward and massive. 


What Size Is A Large Throw Blanket?

The largest throw blanket available in the market measures 54 by 72 inches. This size would be useful for those who plan on layering the throw blanket in bed. More so, remember that throw blankets are more than just decorations on your furniture. 

You can use the material to protect your sofa from dust and other build-ups. And because throws look stylish, you’ll still keep the theme of your living room.  You can even place the throw blanket over your cabinet or floor temporarily. 


Best materials for throw blankets

It’s also worth discussing what material to choose for a throw blanket. If you’re going with the smaller throws, then it’s likely that you will only use them as decors. On the other hand, bigger throw blankets for beds or furniture protection should use materials that are easy to clean and will resist spills.

Knit is an excellent material for decorative throw blankets because you have many textures and patterns to choose from. If you want something that will clean quickly, cotton throw blankets are your best pick. There are also wool throw blankets, which will feel comfortable, especially for snuggling during cold weather. 

If you want something soft, you can opt for fleece, faux fur, or even polyester throw blankets. While during summer, you must choose bamboo or linen because these materials are breathable. Selecting your throw blanket from these materials we cited will then depend on its size and color. 



So you’re shopping for a throw? Do you know how big is a throw blanket? The standard dimensions of a throw are 50 by 36 inches.

However, there are other variations in throw blanket sizes. The key to remember is no throw blanket will be wider than 54 inches. When selecting a blanket, always consider what you will use it for to know the best size to buy. 

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