Baby blankets look cute and cuddly, but you may be interested to know that they are also very beneficial too – read the guide below ‘The Benefits of Baby Blankets’ to find out more…
Most of us think of baby blankets as little more than a fun project to work on or something to place in those cute little Moses baskets to make them even cuter while also keeping the baby warm, but there really is more to them than that as you will see below…
A sense of security
Perhaps, one of the biggest benefits of baby blankets is that they provide a sense of safety and security for young babies who are used to being kept safe and warm in the womb. Swaddling blankets are particularly good for making babies feel safe because they hold them tightly, while still being comfortable, but other kinds of blankets can have a similar effect too.
Stimulation of the senses
Of course, the blanket can also offer young babies some of the sensory stimulation they crave. As you will undoubtedly know, blankets have a very appealing tactlessness to them that babies love. Not only that, but they often come in bright colours and patterns which appeal to a baby’s visual senses too. As if that wasn’t enough, blankets, when they are moved around can make some subtle, but still interesting, if you’re a baby, noises that will stimulate a baby’s aural responses too. Basically, baby blankets provide a whole lot of stimulation which is surprising considering they are so simple.
Improved sleep
Baby blankets are also pretty good at helping mums and dads get babies to sleep. Swaddling is very effective for helping a baby to relax and switch off enough to drift off, and since adequate sleep is so important for a baby’s development, and for the health and sanity of the parents, this is just another good reason to ensure blankets are always available when you have a baby in the house. In fact, a blanket can often be better than a dummy when it comes to calming down a baby if you use it right, and the means no more fetting up in the night to put dummies back in grumpy babies’ mouthes.
Temperature regulation
Babies are unable to adequately regulate their own temperatures until they are at least 18 months old, which means that we have to help them do that. Blankets, particularly blankets made from natural materials like wool, are ideal for this purpose because you can add and remove layers depending on how hot or cold the baby is, and you don’t have to worry about getting through a huge mountain of clothes.
As you can see, baby blankets are much more important than you might have thought, especially when it comes to the development of babies. So, whether you’re expecting a little one or you know someone who is, you could do a lot worse than perfecting your crochet skills on a pretty baby blanket or two. Just remember to use the softest, least scratchy, materials you can find.
Leave a Reply