Baby blankets

For your baby's sleep to be as healthy as possible, it is important for young children to feel as warm, soft and comfortable as possible. Good quality baby blankets are one of the essential items to create the best conditions for a good rest for a child. The main thing is to choose the right and tasteful baby blanket so that the purchase will bring benefit and joy to the child and his parents for as long as possible.

First of all, it is important that the baby blanket is hypoallergenic. It should not contain harmful substances that can cause an allergic reaction in a child. This is especially true in an unfavorable environment and a state of increased stress, which children are increasingly exposed to in modern times. If the materials used are of high quality, without the content of those components that can cause irritation of the skin and mucous membranes in children, this will be the main advantage in purchasing such a blanket.

In addition, the materials of baby blankets must be breathable.... As you know, young children are very fond of taking cover with their heads, and if this happens, the child should be provided with free air access to avoid the greenhouse effect and lack of oxygen. It is very common for a child to sweat excessively while sleeping. If the duvet is hygroscopic, it removes excess moisture and does not get higher under the duvet.

When the baby is asleep, it is very common for him to throw the blanket on the floor. Therefore, it is necessary that it is large enough and does not fall at the slightest movement of the child during sleep.

It is best to purchase two children's blankets at once: one for winter, denser and more voluminous, and the other for summer, light, designed for warm weather:

• Thin blanket-plaid much easier to put in a stroller. If, at the same time, it retains a sufficient amount of heat, such a model is well suited for outdoor walks in the spring, for example, a thin jacquard blanket from the trimmed wool of any animal.
• Blanket-transformer perfect for a newborn, because when unfolded it can be used as an ordinary blanket of a standard shape, and for walking it quickly turns into an envelope. Manufacturers offer a wide selection of transformers for babies in the first months of life, made from both natural and high-quality synthetic materials.

• Blanket bag is an ideal option for a baby in the first year of life. A small child can always throw off the blanket, and the bag fastener keeps it inside well and at the same time does not hinder movement. In order for the mother to organize feeding at night, there is no need to undress the baby: you can simply pick him up right in the bag. The baby will never get entangled in such a blanket, and he will always be warm, and the feeling of warmth and comfort that occurs while in the bag will ensure a healthy and sound sleep.
• Blanket quilted with squares is a very practical option, because such a stitch prevents deformation of the filler, keeps it in the best shape and prevents it from frizzing during washing, drying or chemical processing. When a child tosses and turns in sleep, there is less risk for the filler to clump together, as is often the case with not very good quality synthetic materials.

For small children, the standard blanket sizes are usually 112X112 cm. As the child grows and develops, he can already buy a single blanket of the same sizes as for an adult: 140x112, 172x205, 200x220cm. These are the main parameters that you should focus on when buying, but there are a few more points that you should pay attention to.

In any case, it should be remembered that the baby blanket has a non-standard size, and therefore it can be difficult to find bedding for it. There are several solutions here: you can either sew the bed linen yourself, or take care of purchasing a blanket right away with a set of bed linen.

Any child, especially when it comes to children of younger preschool age, is constantly tossing and turning in his sleep, and parents need to be prepared for the fact that the blanket will often slide to the floor. One of the options for solving the problem may be the purchase of a heavier model, for example, a cotton or down product, but natural materials require special care and can cause allergies. In this case, it would be better to purchase a wider and larger blanket, making sure that it is not too heavy and "stuffy".

A bulky, large blanket will not fit in a stroller when walking outdoors. This is especially true for products made of padding polyester, hallcon and holofiber. For outdoor walks, thin, small blankets or bedspreads are ideal.

A more detailed description of the sizes of baby blankets, depending on the age of the child, looks like this:

• 80x80 cm - a standard square-shaped blanket for a newborn, which is optimal for wrapping a baby. Often bought specifically for discharge from the hospital, fits well in a crib. It is bought when the purchase of a cradle is not provided, because a square blanket will not fit in it;
• 60x90 cm - a blanket of this size is suitable for a child under one year old, provided that he does not turn over in the crib too much. If the baby is too mobile in sleep, it is better to purchase a larger option. Due to the fact that children grow up quickly, they will need such a blanket for a short time, but later it can be used to cover the child's legs when walking in cold weather;
• 90x120 cm - the size can be called universal. Used for children 3 years old and younger. Such a blanket can easily be tucked in from either side, but you need to keep in mind that it will no longer fit in a stroller;
• 100x140 cm - such a blanket will last up to elementary school, but it may no longer fit into a standard bed, so you should count on the fact that by that time the child will already have a full-fledged sleeping place;
• 140x200 cm - these sizes are already used when buying blankets for adults, well suited for teenagers.

Today the following models are used for children:

• Duvet blanked it is particularly soft and durable. For example, a product made from soft swan down can be used in all seasons.In winter, it perfectly retains heat, and in summer it is impossible to overheat under it because it provides intensive air circulation. However, the fluff can cause allergies in the child and become a breeding ground for dust mites. When living in climatic conditions with high levels of humidity, the duvet will absorb moisture and be difficult to dry.

• Bamboo blanket has an obvious advantage over down, namely: hypoallergenic. Bamboo is an environmentally friendly material that does not absorb moisture and unpleasant odors. Most of all, this option is good for the summer: it retains the necessary amount of heat on a cool summer night and at the same time is easy and pleasant to use. The basic rule of care: never dry-clean a bamboo blanket, but wash it with a water temperature of 30 degrees. If you use a machine wash, the mode should be the softest, without spinning. Dry by spreading out on the surface.

• Quilt from padding polyester lasts a long time and can be bought for a small price. The main advantages of such options are that they weigh little and are hypoallergenic, requiring no careful maintenance, unlike products made from natural materials. However, synthetic winterizer blankets have significant drawbacks: poor moisture absorption and poor air circulation. Therefore, it is better not to purchase them if you live in a humid climate with a lot of precipitation.

• Cotton blanket it has all the advantages that products made from natural materials have: it perfectly retains heat, does not absorb moisture and is very inexpensive. But at the same time, it is quite heavy and easily absorbs odors, which significantly reduces its popularity with buyers. A wadded product can be bought if the winter is dry and frosty - then it will show all its best qualities and will not cause additional problems to the owners.

• Fleece blanket consists of polyester, so when purchasing it, you should immediately understand that it is a synthetic material. But if the fleece is of high quality, it is really very soft, warm and does not cause allergic reactions. It is one of the few synthetic-based materials that can be called "breathable". However, such a blanket must be subjected to special processing, otherwise, under certain conditions, it may catch fire. Fleece is highly electrified, pellets quickly appear on it.

• Any blanket will always warm the child with high quality. If he does not have allergic reactions, such an acquisition will be very useful and will provide the necessary level of heat even in the coldest cold. One of the most popular options to this day is the camel blanket: this wool has a minimum degree of wear and tear and perfectly tolerates washing. There are also wool blankets, woven in a certain way. If the blanket has a quilt, then its woolen filling is packed in a durable cover. The fabrics for the cover are made of textured cotton or calico.
• Biker or natural cotton blanket possesses lightness and softness, absorbing those qualities that are lacking in cotton and woolen products: the former, as you know, are very heavy in weight, and the latter can cause skin irritation in a child. Cotton products are very practical, their cost is low. They do not require special care, machine wash at 40 degrees is great. Any cotton blanket is wonderful in that multiple washings do not affect the shape and content of the filler.

• Terry products as familiar to many from childhood, as wool blankets.They differ in that natural materials are used in their production. Terry blankets are available in linen, bamboo, and cotton. They have excellent thermal conductivity, are not "stuffy", with a pleasant massage effect.
• Sintepon - an excellent material for a blanket if you want to choose a "budget" and unpretentious option. Such products serve for a long time, are inexpensive, do not cause allergies, and are very light in weight. However, one of the shortcomings should be noted that they do not pass air very well and are not suitable for children who like to hide with their heads.
• One of the best synthetic materials for making bedding is holofiber. A blanket with a holofiber inside always looks like a large light cloud. Such products are warm enough and retain their shape after numerous washes in a typewriter. The cost of such blankets is very democratic, which ensures their relevance.

• Of the more expensive options presented by natural materials, noteworthy jacquard blankets, in the manufacture of which goat, camel or sheep wool is used. Such products, with the exception of certain varieties of camel wool, are very soft, absorb moisture well, and the child will never feel stuffy under them. A unique feature of jacquard products is that their woolen fibers are intertwined in a special way, which ensures the creation of original patterns. These patterns are applied to both sides of the blanket, and the child will be glad that the product can be turned on one side or the other - as if the blanket is not one, but two.
• Silk blanket is also very expensive compared to the most popular bamboo or holofiber products. Of course, such options are usually very beautiful, bright and are of high quality filler in the form of silkworm cocoons. Such a filler, for all its naturalness, is an unfavorable environment for dust mites to grow in it. The peculiarity of silk products is that in the summer it will not be hot for the child under them, and in the winter they will always provide him with warmth.

• Excellent acquisitions for the summer will be knitted and plush blanketswhich you can easily put in a stroller or take with you on the road. Knitwear will delight the child with warmth and comfort, and plush - with brightness, shine and an indescribable feeling of softness.

The following shades of blankets are available on the market:

• White blanket will always be a suitable gift for a newborn or small child. When choosing a pale white product, it is always important to consider what material it is made of in order to choose the option that tolerates washing and care in the best way.

• Light green airy blanket with a filler in the form of holofiber will become not only a useful and environmentally friendly item for sleeping, but also decorate any nursery. This color will always calm the child's nervous system, besides, it is so pleasing to the eyes and neutral that a blanket of this color can be purchased for both boys and girls.

• Colored quilts with a pattern can be chosen from jacquard patterns. The variety of patterns on both sides of such a product can be an additional incentive to purchase it, despite the high price - especially for models made of soft mountain goat wool. For school boys, among the spring-summer options, you can pick up a blanket with a checkered pattern - better made of soft wool, in the absence of allergic reactions.

The variety of choice of children's blankets also includes finishing from environmentally friendly textile materials:

• For small children it is often used chiffon trim in different colors. Such decor provides an additional attraction of the child's attention to bright colors.
• You can choose a funny blanket or bedspread with pompoms, which can also be of different colors and sizes. The child will be happy to play with pom-poms, twirl them in his hands, thereby developing fine motor skills. It is only important to ensure that the kid does not cut off the jewelry with excessive attention to them.

Before buying a blanket, you need to carefully examine and even touch it several times in order not to regret your choice later. It so happens that a warm and airy blanket nevertheless has a pungent smell of an incomprehensible chemical. This occurs when using poor quality fillers or poorly fixed paint. The blanket chosen for the child should always be soft to the touch. If unpleasant stabbing sensations arise when you run your hand over the product, you should immediately discard such a possible purchase.

It is very convenient to tuck such a blanket on all sides, covering the child so that he does not throw him on the floor during involuntary movements in a dream. For children 5 years old and older, a 140x200 cm blanket is suitable, if the child is already sleeping in a separate bed.

When choosing, you should also take into account what air temperature is usually kept in the child's bedroom at one time or another of the year.... If the room is cool, you can buy a downy or woolen product. Living in climatic conditions with high humidity is a reason to purchase light, but warm and breathable jacquard models. If the air is dry and the humidity is low, blankets made of synthetic materials will do just fine.

If the child has a persistent allergic reaction or skin irritation, you will have to refuse to purchase products from natural materials. An alternative can be blankets made of synthetic winterizer or holofiber, ranked first among the highest quality and most environmentally friendly synthetic products. You should also pay attention to the manufacturer. It is better to buy products from trusted companies. They will cost more, but it is better not to purchase the product from those who have a dubious reputation, especially when it comes to children's health.

When buying a baby blanket, you should familiarize yourself with such a concept as the level of heat transfer. Blankets are warm, lightweight and versatile, suitable for any season.

For an overview of Carter's baby blankets, see the following video.

Any baby blanket must be ventilated once a week, if possible, hanging it on the balcony or loggia. If we are talking about a synthetic product, for example, from hallcon, then it should be washed once a month.

As for expensive silk products, it is better not to carry out any serious manipulations with them yourself (except for shaking out and airing), but contact a good chemical cleaning service, where they will be put in order with the help of professional means.