There are so many types of baby blankets on the market, it's sometimes difficult to decide on just what type of fabric would be best for your baby. Thankfully, there are more than enough choices out there to fit you and your baby's needs, while fitting your budget.
First and foremost is the common (for good reason,) everyday receiving blanket. While at first touch these baby blankets seem more suitable for hand washing your car than swaddling your baby, surely there must be a good reason why these are the blankets of choice of hospitals worldwide??? Typically made of an interlocking cotton weave, these blankets are some of the most warming, comforting, types of baby blankets on the market. While that special interlocking weave doesn't feel all that great to our hands, to our babies (especially newborns) it's like being bundled up in the greatest material on the planet.
Another great, but sometimes overlooked fabric to look for: muslin baby blankets. Made from a very unique form of cotton first introduced in 17th century England, this material has an open, light weave which allows air flow throughout the blanket, ensuring comfort and warmth, while guarding against over heating.
Microfiber: a new material development most well known for its use in pillows and the like, microfiber baby blankets can be a great alternative to blankets made of more traditional materials. Due to their synthetic nature, microfiber blankets tend to be more liquid, stain, and wear resistant; thereby easier to care for and clean up when baby makes a mistake in/on this type of blanket. At the same time, baby blankets made of microfiber can be just as warm and cozy as those made of competing traditional materials.
Speaking of traditional materials, there are numerous baby blankets made from many of the most common full size blanket materials around: the always popular 100% cotton weave, super soft and durable double knit cotton, super warm wool/fleece, and lightweight yet perfect for cold cold weather flannel. All great choices which will fit most budgets.
Finally, over on the high end we have baby blankets made of such materials as cashmere and silk. Both of these top tier materials are excellent buys due to their wonderful light weight and unmatched insulation and overall comfort properties. The "bragging rights" to having these items are also enormous if you are into that sort of thing. And for the guys out there that aren't quite sure why they may want to consider much more expensive cashmere or silk baby blankets over plain old cotton ones; look at it this way: Both cashmere and silk are the carbon fiber of the baby blanket world.