If you're like most new parents, you've received dozens of receiving blankets as shower or baby gifts. These small rectangles are usually made of thin flannel, so many parents won't use them as an actual blanket. In fact, it is not recommended for infants to use loose blankets at all, when sleeping in a crib. Also, most babies are too big to be swaddled in them. Before getting rid of them, think about what alternative uses receiving blankets have.
Stroller Awning
Instead of buying an expensive stroller shade that can only be used for one purpose, use receiving blankets instead. Use safety pins (be careful) or clothespins to attach to the stroller. If using a thick blanket, make sure there is plenty of ventilation. Blankets can block either sun or rain.
Burp Cloth
Receiving blankets work well as burp cloths. They are larger than most burp cloths, so can keep your clothing clean. Babies tend not to aim for the burp cloths anyway, so a larger shield is useful.
Tummy Time Mat
Place a receiving blanket on the ground so your baby can have "tummy time." With babies spending more time on their backs, it's important to do daily tummy time to help babies strengthen their back and neck muscles. A clean receiving blanket protects baby from the dirt and dust on the floor. It also provides extra padding to hardwood or tile floors.
Travel Carseat Blanket
Bring a receiving blanket along on outings. If your baby has received special handmade blankets, you won't want to bring them on trips. Using an inexpensive and plain receiving blanket on errands helps keep those special blankets safe. Chances are baby will kick off a blanket onto the floor, or one might get dropped or forgotten in a store or restaurant.
Discreet Nursing Cover
Nursing mothers can use spare receiving blankets to cover themselves, if they desire modesty. Commercial products are sold to serve this purpose, but using a plain old receiving blanket saves money.
Sewing Projects
If you're handy with the sewing machine, you can use the material from receiving blankets for projects. Flannel blankets can make absorbent cloth diapers. Trace a bib and cute out several layers of material from the blankets to make extra bibs. Keep your gift bibs clean and use the homemade ones to get dirty. If you have lots of blankets with cute patterns, consider using them to make your baby a quilt. Receiving blankets are often sold in packs of coordinating colors or patterns which can make a great looking quilt.
Charitable Donation
Donation to charity is always an option. New or gently used baby blankets are useful to other people, along with any other unwanted or duplicate baby items. This method also potentially allows the donor to receive a tax deduction.
New parents receive many receiving blankets and find that they can't use them all. By using the methods above you can reuse baby blankets to save money and prevent waste.
Allison Russo - Allison Russo holds a B.S. in Psychology with a minor in Computer Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Most recently she ...
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