Why parents love a cot blanket made of wool
According to the charity Whānau Āwhina Plunket, it’s safe to use a lightweight cot blanket from birth, as long as the baby is placed on their back and with their feet at the foot of the crib or cot.
Tuck the blanket in firmly so there is no loose bedding and don’t cover the baby’s head or face. Start with as few blankets as you can and then work upwards.
But what sort of blanket is the best choice for a baby? There are a lot of factors to consider, including how easily washed and dried it is, whether it keeps your baby warm enough, and if the fabric and design is safe for a little one.
Factors to think about when buying a cot blanket
The materials
The materials that a blanket is made of is the first thing to think of. The fabric your blanket is made of affects everything else about it; how breathable it is and if it can be easily washed, just to start with. You might possibly need different weights or types of materials depending on the temperature. The recommended room temperature for under twelve months old is fifteen to twenty degrees celsius. Make sure to regularly check the baby’s temperature from their chest or back so they don’t overheat.
Breathability
Breathability is is an important factor for baby blankets because young babies can’t regulate their own body temperature. They can’t adapt as well as adults to changes in temperature, so making sure your baby won’t overheat is vital. A fabric that is breathable allows moisture like sweat to escape the material and help cool off the skin underneath.
The baby’s safety
The baby’s safety has to come at the top of the list of factors. This means no tassels, ribbons, or buttons. Make sure there isn't anything that could be a choking hazard if they come loose, or risk tangling the baby up if they twist or roll.
Size and thickness
Size and thickness are really a subfactor of some of the others we’ve already mentioned. Having too much fabric in the cot at a young age can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome from overheating or accidental suffocation, so avoid using duvets, quilts, very thick blankets and pillows for a baby under 12 months old. As your baby grows, you are likely to need a larger blanket, so it might be a good idea to change that blanket after they’re old enough to be able to wriggle free of thicker or larger blankets.
Style
The style of the baby blanket is entirely dependent on your taste. Whether it’s brightly coloured, patterned or plain doesn’t matter as long as it keeps the little one at the ideal temperature and is nice and safe for them.
Why is a wool cot blanket one of the best?
At New Zealand Natural Clothing, our baby blankets are made with merino wool, often blended with other natural fibres, including silk, possum fibres and romney wool.
Merino wool is incredible as a material for baby blankets. It’s very breathable which is vital to help prevent overheating, but is also insulating in winter to keep the baby warm. Merino wool is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial to reduce chances of the baby catching anything while still developing their immune system and keep out tiny bugs like dust mites.
Merino isn’t heavy or itchy, it’s light, soft and smooth, so there’ll be no irritation or scratching on the baby’s skin. It’s also naturally hypoallergenic, so it rarely causes an allergic reaction or rash. Wool does need to be washed in a particular way to prevent shrinkage or stretching out of shape. If you want more information on washing and caring for wool blankets and clothes, check out our blog ‘How to prevent fabric shrinkage - top tips for wool clothing care’.
There is also evidence that babies sleep better with (Natural Fibre) merino wool blankets. They are more likely to settle quickly and cry less. So that might give parents a few more hours of precious sleep. A great bonus.
Just for a bit more peace of mind, in case of a fire, wool is naturally flame resistant. It requires more oxygen than is normally found in the air to catch alight, and it won’t release any chemicals like synthetic flame resistant fabrics. And there’s the added bonus of never melting onto skin like synthetic fabrics can do in high temperatures. It might not be the first thing you think about when looking for a baby blanket, but it’s nice to have a little more protection for your special little one.
What to use if wool isn’t right for you...
Wool isn’t the right choice for everyone. Merino wool might be hypoallergenic, which reduces the chance of an allergic reaction, but some people might still struggle. Or perhaps they react to some of the other materials that the wool is blended with, such as silk or possum fibres. Obviously, you can’t cuddle your little one in their favourite blanket if it makes you itch like crazy.
Or maybe you don’t have the facilities to wash and care for a Wool blanket properly.
Whatever it is that stops wool being an option for you, there are a few others you can use:
Cotton is often used in clothes and blankets from birth because it’s lightweight and very easily washable. For baby blankets, it can be woven into cellular fabric, which has specially designed holes in it to help regulate body temperature and help improve the breathability of the blanket. Organic cotton especially is unlikely to trigger allergies because it’s grown without the use of any kind of chemicals and is unlikely to be dyed with anything too heavily chemical based.
Bamboo fabrics are growing in popularity and have a lot of great factors for their use in baby blankets. It’s soft on sensitive skin and naturally thermal-regulating. Bamboo is also a very durable and long lasting fabric.
Fleece is made of polyester, and is a warm, soft synthetic fabric. It isn’t very absorbent, so spills and messes tend to be easily wiped away. And if they aren’t, then fleece is easy to wash and stain resistant as well as being quick drying.
Cashmere is often considered a luxury. It’s lightweight and very warm, while still being incredibly soft. It’s a natural fabric, made of the hair of cashmere goats.
Only the best cot blanket for a baby...
Making sure that a cot blanket is best for your baby is due to several factors.
Once you’ve made sure the materials are right for what you need, whether that’s merino wool or something else better suited, then you think about breathability, size, thickness and style. All the while, making sure the cot blanket is completely safe for the baby.
We think merino wool makes the best cot blankets, and a lot of parents agree and love their wool cot blankets. But that’s up to you to decide if what is truly the best for your baby.