You open the gift bag and pull out a blanket so small it barely covers your forearm. Is that right? Is it supposed to be that size? If you have never shopped for baby blankets before, the sizing can feel arbitrary. Receiving blankets, swaddle blankets, security blankets, crib blankets, they all have different dimensions and different purposes. And underneath the sizing question sits a more serious one: when is it actually safe to put a blanket in a crib?
Quick Answer
Newborn receiving blankets are typically 30" x 30" to 36" x 36" (76-91 cm square). Swaddle blankets are larger at 40" x 40" to 47" x 47" for wrapping. Security blankets (loveys) are small, about 14" x 14" to 18" x 18". Crib blankets run 40" x 60" for toddlers. Health Canada and the Canadian Paediatric Society recommend no loose blankets in cribs for babies under 12 months. Use a fitted sleep sack instead. After 12 months, a thin, lightweight blanket can be introduced gradually.
Safe Sleep First, Blanket Size Second
Before we talk dimensions, we need to talk safety. Health Canada is clear on this point: loose bedding of any kind does not belong in a crib with an infant under 12 months. That means no quilts, no heavy blankets, no comforters, and no pillows. The Canadian Paediatric Society echoes this guidance. Soft items in the crib increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) and suffocation.
This catches many new parents off guard. You receive beautiful blankets at the baby shower, and then you learn they should not go in the crib. The blankets are not useless, they are just for supervised use: tummy time on the floor, stroller rides, nursing sessions, car seat cover on a cold day. The crib itself stays bare except for a fitted sheet on a firm mattress.
For overnight warmth, Health Canada recommends wearable blankets, also called sleep sacks. These zip on and eliminate any loose fabric risk. Sizing matters here too. A sleep sack that is too large lets the baby slide inside, which creates its own suffocation hazard. Most manufacturers size by weight and length, not age.
Why Bare Cribs Are Safer
Overheating is a known risk factor for SIDS. Babies regulate temperature less efficiently than adults, and heavy blankets can trap heat against their small bodies. A bare crib with a properly fitted sheet, combined with appropriate sleep clothing (a onesie plus a sleep sack), keeps a baby warm without the overheating risk. The room should be between 20-22 degrees Celsius. If the back of the baby's neck feels warm but not sweaty, the temperature is right. This guidance comes directly from Health Canada's safe sleep publications.
Blanket Types by Size
Receiving blankets measure roughly 30" x 30" to 36" x 36". These are the most versatile baby blanket. Use them for swaddling in the first weeks, as a burp cloth, a changing pad in a pinch, or a light layer in the stroller. The name comes from the hospital, where nurses "receive" the baby in one after delivery. They are thin, usually single-layer cotton or flannel.
Swaddle blankets are larger, typically 40" x 40" to 47" x 47". The extra fabric is necessary for the swaddling technique, where you wrap the baby snugly to mimic the womb. Muslin is the most popular swaddle material because it stretches slightly, breathes well, and gets softer with washing. Once your baby starts rolling (usually around 3-4 months), swaddling should stop.
Security blankets (loveys) are deliberately small, around 14" x 14" to 18" x 18". They often have a stuffed animal head attached. The small size is a safety feature. These are comfort objects, not warmth providers. Most paediatricians suggest introducing a lovey after 12 months.
Crib and toddler blankets measure approximately 40" x 60". These are sized to cover a toddler (12 months and older) without excessive material hanging over the crib rails. After 12 months, you can introduce a thin, lightweight blanket. Start with something breathable, nothing heavy or quilted.
Comfort Tip
When transitioning a toddler to a blanket, start during nap time so you can observe. Choose a blanket no larger than crib size (40" x 60") and thin enough that the child could push it away from their face if needed. Cotton or muslin works best. Avoid weighted blankets for any child under three, and even then, consult your paediatrician. Dorothy at our Brantford showroom has helped many new parents select bedding that meets safety guidelines while still feeling cozy.
What Canadian Parents Actually Need
Honestly, new parents in Canada need fewer blankets than they think. Four to six receiving blankets, two muslin swaddles, and two sleep sacks in the right size covers the first year. Everything else is nice to have but not necessary. The secondary-market scene on Facebook Marketplace in Brantford and Hamilton is full of gently used baby blankets because most families end up with far more than they use.
It is difficult to say whether organic cotton makes a meaningful difference for most babies. Some children with eczema or sensitive skin do better with GOTS-certified organic fabrics. For everyone else, standard cotton or muslin that has been washed a few times is perfectly fine. What matters more is the fit of the crib sheet and the firmness of the mattress underneath.
For Brantford Residents
If you are setting up a nursery, the mattress is the one place not to cut corners. A firm, properly fitted crib mattress is a safety essential, not a luxury. At our 441 1/2 West Street showroom, Brad can walk you through what "firm" actually means for infant sleep (it is firmer than most parents expect). While we specialise in adult mattresses and bedding, we understand the whole sleep picture for families. Parents who come in for a new queen 
mattress, like the Restonic ComfortCare at $1,125 with 1,222 pocket coils, often ask about nursery setup too. We are happy to point you toward the right resources.
Frequently Asked Questions
What size blanket does a newborn need?
A newborn needs receiving blankets (30" x 30" to 36" x 36") for daytime use and swaddle blankets (40" x 40" to 47" x 47") for wrapping. For sleeping, skip blankets entirely and use a fitted sleep sack instead. Health Canada recommends no loose blankets in cribs for the first 12 months.
When can a baby sleep with a blanket in the crib?
The Canadian Paediatric Society and Health Canada recommend waiting until at least 12 months before introducing a loose blanket to the crib. When you do, use a thin, lightweight, breathable blanket no larger than crib size (40" x 60"). Avoid heavy quilts, duvets, or weighted blankets.
What is the difference between a receiving blanket and a swaddle blanket?
Receiving blankets are smaller (30-36" square) and thicker, made from cotton or flannel. Swaddle blankets are larger (40-47" square) and thinner, typically muslin, designed specifically for the wrapping technique that calms newborns. Receiving blankets can double as swaddles for very small newborns but become too small after a few weeks.
How many baby blankets do I actually need?
Practically, 4-6 receiving blankets, 2-3 muslin swaddles, and 2 sleep sacks cover the first year. You will use receiving blankets constantly for non-sleep purposes (burping, floor time, stroller cover). Most parents receive more blankets as gifts than they ever use. Buy the essentials and wait to see what you actually need before purchasing more.
Are weighted sleep sacks safe for babies?
The American Academy of Pediatrics and most Canadian paediatric guidelines advise against weighted sleep products for infants. There is not enough research to confirm they are safe, and the added weight may affect breathing or movement. Stick with standard-weight sleep sacks for babies under 12 months. If your baby has difficulty settling, talk to your paediatrician before trying any weighted product.
Visit Mattress Miracle Brantford
Setting up a nursery or upgrading your own sleep while adjusting to parenthood? Visit our showroom at 441 1/2 West Street, Brantford, Ontario. Brad, Dorothy, and Talia can help you find the right mattress and bedding for your family. White glove delivery available to Hamilton, Kitchener, Toronto, and across Southern Ontario. Call 519-770-0001 or visit: Mon-Wed 10-6, Thu-Fri 10-7, Sat 10-5, Sun 12-4.
Sources
- Moon RY, et al. Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2022 Recommendations. Pediatrics. 2022;150(1):e2022057990. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2022-057990
- Lambert AB, et al. Sleep-Related Infant Suffocation Deaths Attributable to Soft Bedding. Pediatrics. 2019;143(5):e20183408. DOI: 10.1542/peds.2018-3408
- Health Canada. Cribs, Cradles and Bassinets Regulations (SOR/2016-152). Canada Consumer Product Safety Act
- Canadian Paediatric Society. Safe sleep for babies. CPS Safe Sleep Guidelines