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The Best Muslin Baby Blanket

Last updated on February 2, 2023
Best Muslin Baby Blanket

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Parents of newborns will find themselves buying a lot of items that their baby will outgrow within a month or two. That’s just as true for a blanket as any other toy or outfit, but a soft muslin blanket will comfort your baby and encourage that all-important sleep time. Not only that, but buying the right muslin blanket will mean you have an heirloom to treasure well past those early years.

Experienced parents will know a muslin blanket when they feel it, but what exactly is muslin? To start with, it’s not a type of fabric in and of itself. Muslin is a simple style of weaving that originated in the Middle East and dates back to prehistoric times. It can be used to make everything from medical gauze to cheesecloth, but it has long been the blanket choice for swaddling sensitive newborn skin.

Muslin baby blankets are most often made from cotton, and they can be nearly as thick as quilts or as thin as a silk sheet depending on the weave. Either way, they’re going to be very light, which is part of the appeal. You might also find hybrid fabrics that are made partially from bamboo fiber. This material has hypoallergenic properties and is likely to be more expensive because of that. It’s also very soft, but take care that it’s not too soft — swaddling a baby can be difficult when the fabric is too slippery.

Swaddling is just one of the many uses for a muslin blanket, but it’s hardly the only one. As your baby grows, you might find that you need a few different blankets depending on what purpose they serve.

Receiving blankets are what most babies come home from the hospital in after those first few days, and accordingly they are quite small. They can range in size from 18 inches to 36 inches square, which is ideal for swaddling a newborn. After your baby grows a bit, they make great burp cloths or nursing covers due to their manageable size.

After the first month or so, you might want to trade up to a full-fledged swaddle blanket. These will be at least 40 inches square. They’re likely to see a lot of use both during sleep and active times, so buy with an eye toward durability.

Finally, there are crib blankets. These are a more traditional rectangular shape, around 60 inches long. They should be used after your baby is done with their first year and is ready to transition into their own sleeping space.

If you buy right, your baby won’t be the only one who gets attached to their blankie. Paying a little extra for durability means you’ll have a tangible memory of those early years long after baby outgrows the crib.

Our Picks For The Top Muslin Baby Blankets

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Product Overview
Our Take
 Top Pick

Comfy Cubs UV Protection Bamboo Muslin Baby Blankets, 4-Pack

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Comfy Cubs

UV Protection Bamboo Muslin Baby Blankets, 4-Pack

This gray and white muslin baby blanket set features four blankets in an attractive gift box. Blanket patterns include stars, a nighttime sky and geometric shapes. Parents will love the generous 47 inch by 47 inch size, which is perfect for everything from covering a stroller to protecting your shirt during burping.

Overall Take

Gender-Neutral DesignThis muslin baby blanket is both soft and breathable.

 Runner Up

Little Jump Lightweight Silky Muslin Baby Blanket

Little Jump

Lightweight Silky Muslin Baby Blanket

Unlike other thin muslin baby blankets on the market, this option is nice and thick. It features a quilted edge and comes in a choice of a dinosaur, rainbow or flamingo pattern. The blanket is extremely versatile and can be used for tummy time one day and as a breastfeeding cover the next.

Overall Take

Large in SizeThis oversized muslin baby blanket measures 47 inches by 47 inches.

 We Also Like

Upsimples Breathable Bamboo Muslin Baby Blankets, 4-Pack

Upsimples

Breathable Bamboo Muslin Baby Blankets, 4-Pack

Not only is this muslin baby blanket machine washable, but it also gets softer with each wash. Each set comes with four blankets that are rolled up and wrapped in attractive packaging. That makes the set a great baby shower gift for an expectant mother.

Overall Take

Cute Animal PrintsMultipurpose is the best word to describe this baby swaddle, which can be used to swaddle your baby or provide a safe place for tummy time.

 Strong Contender

Hudson Baby Lightweight Muslin Baby Blankets, 3-Pack

Hudson Baby

Lightweight Muslin Baby Blankets, 3-Pack

Made from 100% cotton, this muslin baby blanket is soft against baby's sensitive skin. The set actually includes cute three that are gender neutral. The blankets are extremely versatile and can be used for tummy time, swaddling or as a burp cloths.

Overall Take

Ideal for Gift GivingThis muslin baby blanket set comes in an attractive box that makes it a great baby shower gift.

What to Look For

  • The right blanket can help put a baby to sleep, but don’t let them sleep with one until they’re older. According to most pediatricians, babies should sleep without blankets or toys in the crib until they are at least a year old.
  • Muslin blankets are super soft, and you’ll want to make sure they stay that way. Take the washing instructions on the blanket seriously, and make sure the washing machine is free of things like velcro or protruding zippers. In the dryer, stick with a tumble dry on low heat.

More to Explore

Today, muslin is a workhorse fabric that is used in a variety of industries. But for hundreds of years, muslin dresses and shirts were as highly prized as silk. They were introduced to Europeans by the Dutch and English East India Companies, which eventually found ways to mass-produce the weaving style, putting thousands of artisan weavers from India out of work.

More to explore