What Are the Benefits of a Wearable Blanket?

Decreased Suffocation Risk

• The design of a wearable blanket makes it impossible for the blanket to end up covering the baby's mouth and causing suffocation. The blanket has a neck hole but zips all the way up so the hole is not big enough for the blanket to slip above the baby's chin. The bottom portion of the blanket zips shut so the part on the baby's legs cannot reach up to the baby's face.

Stay On While Sleeping

• Older babies are often very active during the night, between kicking, rolling over and sometimes even crawling around the crib or standing up. A wearable blanket stays on during all of these activities so the baby does not lose the blanket during the night. Therefore, the baby will stay warm and the parent will not need to go put the baby's blanket back on in the middle of the night.

Easy Diaper Access

• An alternative for babies is to swaddle them in a receiving blanket overnight, which also keeps them warm without risk of suffocation. However, parents must take the baby out of the blanket for a diaper change and reswaddle him before putting him back to bed. Wearable blankets often have zippers on the bottom of the blanket that make it easy to change the baby's diaper in the middle of the night with minimal disruption.

Adult Wearable Blankets

• Babies are not the only people who can use wearable blankets. Some types of adult-sized wearable blankets are also on the market. These are typically throw blankets that include sleeves as part of the design. Therefore, an adult can sit with a blanket over her and be able to put her arms through the sleeves and use her hands to read, play video games, eat or complete other tasks. The sleeves keep the blanket in place and keep her arms and wrists warm.