A soft and snuggly baby blanket is the perfect gift for a new baby, whether that’s a gift for a baby shower or a gift for new parents to welcome their little one home. Or you might be decorating the nursery to prepare for your new arrival and looking for a colourful baby blanket as the finishing touch. There are so many options to choose from and you may have some important questions about how to choose the best baby blanket:
- Why should you choose wool for a baby blanket?
- What’s the ideal baby blanket size?
- How many baby blankets do I need?
- What do you need to know when buying a newborn baby’s blanket?
- Where to buy the best wool baby blankets in the UK?
In this buyer’s guide to baby blankets, we’ll be giving you the answers to all these questions so you can make the best choice and highlighting some adorable wool baby blankets you can buy online.
Snuggly, light and warm, merino lambswool baby blankets are soft and natural against a baby's skin
Above: Marina merino lambswool baby blanket, The British Blanket Company
Why should you choose wool for a baby blanket?
Wool baby blankets beat cotton or synthetic fibre baby blankets in many ways. Wool is completely natural and isn’t treated with chemical pesticides, as cotton is. Wool is also warmer and more breathable than cotton or synthetic fibres with built-in climate control to help your little one stay just the right temperature. Studies have shown that wool bedding can help improve regenerative sleep by 25% because it naturally keeps the body cool when the room is hot, and warm when it’s cold.
Merino wool baby blankets are possibly the best of all, as the fibres are extra soft, light and warm. A merino wool baby blanket is the most luxurious option if you’re looking for a snuggly warm baby blanket that’s soft against baby’s delicate skin.
A soft and snuggly baby blanket is the perfect gift for a new baby, whether that’s a gift for a baby shower or a gift for new parents to welcome their little one home
Above: Sonic merino lambswool baby blanket, The British Blanket Company
What’s the ideal baby blanket size?
There’s no fixed size for a baby blanket, but you should choose one that covers the baby and has enough extra to tuck in around their cot mattress, pushchair or car seat. If a baby blanket is too large or loose the baby could become tangled as they wiggle around. The British Blanket Company’s merino wool baby blankets are 126cm x 72cm, which is a versatile size for newborn babies, through to toddlers.
Merino lambswool baby blankets are very breathable, which can help babies sleep more soundly at night
Above: Sharky merino lambswool baby blanket, The British Blanket Company
How many baby blankets do I need?
If you’re looking for a special baby blanket as a gift for a baby shower or newborn, one that has been chosen with thought and love is ideal. A luxury merino wool baby blanket can be used as a warm extra layer for naps, a mat for tummy time or a comforting blankie to soothe baby to sleep.
For baby’s everyday bedding, many parents choose to combine a sleeping bag and cotton sheets which can be washed often at high temperatures.
Of course, accidents happen so we’ve made sure The British Blanket Company’s merino wool baby blankets can be machine washed on a gentle wool cycle, or dry cleaned.
Above: Lemming merino lambswool baby blanket, The British Blanket Company
What do you need to know when buying a newborn baby’s blanket?
Safer sleep guidance advises that baby blankets should be made from light natural materials, rather than synthetic fabrics or fleece. Newborn babies are prone to overheating at night so natural baby blankets help to their regulate body temperature. Merino wool baby blankets are light, warm and breathable, as are cellular cotton blankets.
Babies under 12 months old should be placed on their back to sleep, with ‘feet to foot’ at the end of their cot or moses basket. Baby blankets should be under their arms and tucked in, so they can’t wriggle underneath.
The latest safer sleep guidance can be found in more detail at the Lullaby Trust.
Where to buy the best wool baby blankets in the UK?
Trust is so important when buying any baby product you’ll want to be confident your baby blanket has made with quality materials and skilled craftsmanship. The British Blanket Company’s baby blankets are woven at a traditional weaving mill in Ireland that has been making the finest quality wool cloth for generations. We hand-pick the softest merino lambswool and weave the cloth very finely, so our merino wool baby blankets are light, warm and breathable. These are extra special luxury baby blankets that will be treasured forever.
Our baby blanket collection is available to buy online with contemporary colours and patterns to choose from. We have adorable baby blankets for girls, baby blankets for boys and gender-neutral baby blankets for those waiting for surprise!
Six of the best merino wool baby blankets to buy online
