Swaddle or blanket for your baby: the differences and which to choose
They look alike, but they're not for the same thing. Here's how to know what you need and when.
Updated October 27, 2026
Swaddle, blanket, muslin… All three turn up on baby registries, and it’s natural to wonder whether you need them all. The short answer: the swaddle is for holding your baby, the blanket is for covering them and the muslin is for everything else.
The swaddle
It’s a soft, cosy square designed for wrapping your baby up and holding them in your arms. It’s what you use to leave hospital, for visitors and for the first walks. Ours measures 70 × 70 cm and also works in the pram, the Moses basket or the cot while your baby is awake.
- When: from day one, in your arms and on walks.
- Why: it gathers your baby in and gives them a feeling of warmth and security.
- Have a look at the swaddles available.
The blanket
Soft and warm, it’s for covering your baby in the carrycot or on the sofa and for playtime on the floor. It’s the one that lasts longest: it’s still in use once your baby is walking.
- When: on winter walks and at home, as long as you’re nearby.
- For sleep, a sleeping bag is better than a loose blanket: your baby can’t kick it off and nothing covers their face.
The muslin
Fine and made from cotton gauze, it’s the most versatile: for your shoulder, as a makeshift bib, for shade, as a towel in summer. We go through all its uses in what is a muslin for.
So which one do I need?
| For… | Best choice |
|---|---|
| Leaving hospital and visitors | Swaddle |
| Winter walks | Sleeping bag in the pram, plus a blanket or swaddle for holding them |
| Sleeping in the carrycot or crib | Sleeping bag |
| Every day (shoulder, changes, summer) | Muslins |
If you’re putting together your baby registry, the swaddle and a set of muslins are among the first things people give; the blanket and the sleeping bag are best chosen with the season your baby will be born in mind.
For wrapping up your baby
