How Many Blankets Does a Baby Need? Sizes, Seasons and Safe Use in Australia

Blankets are one of the first things on every new parent's list, and one of the most confusing. How many do you actually need? What size? And with Australian summers as hot as they are, do you need them at all?

This guide answers the most common blanket questions for Australian families, from newborn to toddler, with simple advice on using blankets safely for sleep.

The quick answer

There's no set number, but most families find three to four blankets covers everyday life without cluttering the nursery:

• One or two lightweight blankets for the cot or bassinet, so one can be in the wash.
• One pram blanket that stays in the pram or car for outings.
• One special blanket for cuddles, tummy time and photos. This is often a personalised one given as a gift.

In winter you may add a layer. In summer you'll often need less. The right amount depends on the room temperature and how warm your baby feels, which we cover below.

What size baby blanket do you need?

Baby blankets come in a few common sizes. Exact measurements vary between brands, but this is a useful guide:

Type	Typical size	Best for
Muslin wrap or swaddle	Around 100 x 100 cm to 120 x 120 cm	Wrapping newborns, burping, shade over the pram
Pram or bassinet blanket	Around 75 x 100 cm	Prams, bassinets, car seat outings, cuddles and tummy time
Cot blanket	Around 100 x 120 cm or larger	Cots, once bub has moved out of the bassinet

Our personalised baby blankets are 80 x 100 cm, made from 100% breathable cotton. That's the most versatile size: big enough to use in the pram or bassinet and for cuddles at home, and small enough to pop in the nappy bag.

If you're buying just one blanket as a gift, a pram-sized blanket is the safest bet. It gets used from day one and keeps being used well into the toddler years.

For more on choosing fabric and personalisation styles, see our personalised baby blanket guide.

Blankets through the Australian seasons

Australia's climate varies a lot, from humid summers to chilly winter nights, so how you use blankets will change through the year.

• Summer: often one lightweight cotton blanket is plenty, and on hot nights a light outfit may be enough on its own. Breathable cotton or muslin is the best choice.
• Autumn and spring: temperatures swing between day and night. Layering two lightweight blankets lets you add or remove one as needed.
• Winter: dress bub a little warmer and add a lightweight layer, rather than reaching for one heavy blanket. Layers are easier to adjust.

A simple way to check: feel your baby's tummy or back. It should feel warm, not hot or sweaty. Cool hands and feet are normal and don't mean bub is cold.

How to use blankets safely for sleep

Red Nose Australia, the country's leading safe sleep organisation, recommends the following when using blankets for babies. Their bedding for safe sleeping page has the full guidance.

• Sleep baby on their back, with their feet at the bottom of the cot.
• Use lightweight blankets in layers, rather than one heavy blanket.
• Tuck blankets in firmly on three sides, reaching no higher than baby's chest, so they can't slip over baby's head.
• Keep baby's head and face uncovered. Remove hats and beanies for sleep.
• Never use electric blankets, wheat bags or hot water bottles for babies.
• Consider a safe baby sleeping bag with a fitted neck and armholes and no hood. It means you don't need loose bedding at all.

Outside of sleep time, a personalised blanket really comes into its own for supervised tummy time, cuddles on the couch, pram walks and photos.

Why every baby should have one personalised blanket

Most blankets are used and passed on. A personalised one tends to stay in the family.

• It's easy to spot. At daycare, at Nana's or in a pile of washing, bub's name means it never gets mixed up.
• It becomes a comfort item. Many toddlers attach to one blanket, and it's often the one with their name on it.
• It's a keepsake. Long after it's outgrown, it's the blanket families hold on to, photograph and hand back one day.
• It makes a lovely gift. Practical for the parents and personal for the baby.

Our personalised baby blankets are $59, made from 100% breathable cotton, sized 80 x 100 cm and embroidered with your little one's name in our Perth studio. Choose from pink, baby blue, latte or cream, or pair one with a bunny or teddy in a personalised gift set.

Baby blanket FAQs

How many blankets does a newborn need?

Three to four is a good starting point: one or two for the bassinet or cot, one for the pram and one special blanket for cuddles. You can always add more.

Can a newborn sleep with a blanket?

Yes, if it's used safely. Red Nose recommends lightweight blankets tucked in firmly on three sides, no higher than baby's chest, with baby's feet at the bottom of the cot. A safe sleeping bag is an alternative.

What is the best fabric for a baby blanket in Australia?

Breathable natural fabrics like cotton and muslin suit Australia's warm climate and are gentle on newborn skin.

What size is a pram blanket?

Pram blankets are usually around 75 x 100 cm. Ours are 80 x 100 cm, which also suits a bassinet.

How do I wash a personalised blanket?

Machine wash on a gentle cycle and lay flat to dry. This keeps the cotton soft and the embroidery looking its best.

The one blanket worth getting right

You don't need a cupboard full of blankets. A few lightweight layers for sleep, one for the pram and one special blanket to love will see your baby through their first year and beyond. If you're choosing the special one, make it theirs, with their name stitched on it.