Cellular blankets are a newborn essential in most UK homes, and you'll often see them on hospital bag lists. They're light, breathable and easy to wash, but they need to be used the right way in a cot. This guide explains what a cellular blanket is, how to tuck one in safely, and when a sleeping bag is the better choice.
Key points
- A cellular blanket is a light cotton blanket woven with small holes that let air flow through.
- In a cot, use the feet-to-foot position and tuck the blanket in firmly, no higher than your baby's shoulders.
- Never use a blanket on top of a baby sleeping bag or a swaddle.
- Keep the room at 16–20°C and check your baby's chest or the back of their neck to see if they're too warm.
In this guide
What is a cellular blanket?
A cellular blanket is a lightweight blanket, usually made from 100% cotton, with a pattern of small holes woven all the way through. The holes trap a little warm air but still let air move through the fabric, so your baby is less likely to overheat than under a thick fleece or quilted blanket.
They aren't given a tog rating, because of the holes. As a rough guide, one layer feels somewhere between 0.5 and 1 tog.
Are cellular blankets safe for babies?
Yes, when they're used correctly. The Lullaby Trust advises that if you use blankets, they should be thin, firmly tucked in and no higher than your baby's shoulders, so they can't slip over your baby's face. A clear cot with a firm, flat mattress and nothing else in it is safest.
Never use pillows, duvets, quilts or cot bumpers for a baby, and don't put a blanket over a baby who is in a sleeping bag or swaddle.
How to tuck in a cellular blanket
- Use the feet-to-foot position. Lay your baby on their back with their feet touching the bottom end of the cot or Moses basket.
- Bring the blanket up to their shoulders, no higher, with their arms out on top.
- Tuck the blanket firmly under the mattress on both sides and at the bottom, so it can't work loose if your baby wriggles.
- Check the cot is clear of toys, extra blankets and anything else.
The feet-to-foot position means your baby can't wriggle down under the blanket.
How many blankets does my baby need?
It depends on the room temperature and what your baby is wearing. Aim to keep the room between 16 and 20°C, and use the fewest layers that keep your baby comfortable. A blanket folded in half counts as two layers.
To check, feel your baby's chest or the back of their neck. If they're sweaty or their cheeks are flushed, take a layer off. Cold hands and feet are normal and don't mean they need more covers. Never use a hat in bed.
Cellular blankets in the pram and car
A cellular blanket is handy for walks, tucked in around your baby in the pram. Take it off, along with hats and extra layers, as soon as you come indoors or get into a warm shop, bus or car.
In the car seat, don't put your baby in a thick coat or snowsuit, because it stops the straps fitting snugly. Do the straps up first, then lay a blanket over the top and remove it once the car is warm. Never cover a pram or car seat with a blanket or muslin to shade it, because the air inside can quickly get too hot.
Cellular blanket or sleeping bag?
Both are safe when used correctly. Many parents use cellular blankets in the Moses basket in the early weeks, then switch to a baby sleeping bag once their baby moves to the cot or starts kicking covers off. A well-fitted sleeping bag can't be kicked off or pulled up over your baby's face.
Use one or the other, not both. Cellular blankets stay useful for feeds, cuddles on the sofa and pram walks.
Caring for your cellular blanket
- Machine wash at 30°C or below with a mild, fragrance-free detergent.
- Skip fabric softener, which can coat the fibres and make them less breathable.
- Line dry, or tumble dry on low.
- Have two or three, so there's always a clean one ready.
Cellular blanket FAQs
Can a newborn sleep with a cellular blanket?
Yes. Use the feet-to-foot position, tuck it in firmly no higher than the shoulders, and keep the rest of the cot clear.
What size cellular blanket do I need?
Little Seeds cellular blankets are 70 × 90 cm, which fits a Moses basket, pram, travel cot or cot.
Can I use a cellular blanket over a sleeping bag?
No. A sleeping bag replaces blankets. Adding one on top can make your baby too hot.
How many cellular blankets do I need?
Two or three is plenty for most families: one in use, one in the wash and a spare for the changing bag.
Little Seeds cotton cellular blankets are soft, breathable and 70 × 90 cm, in white, grey, pink and blue. Just £4.99.
