Have you ever tried using a standard baby blanket in a pram? The amount of excess fabric in that small seating space is crazy and impractical.
A specially designed pram blanket solves this problem through more suitable sizing, and fabric that is more appropriate to the enclosed environment and can keep your child comfortable in various conditions.
It is a simple solution and you will wonder how you ever got by without one! But what exactly is a pram blanket? In this article, we will examine this handy little piece of parental magic.
What Makes a Pram Blanket
The key differentiator between a regular baby blanket and one made for a stroller is the small size and thickness. This makes it lighter, more portable, and perfect for use in a pram or car seat.
Some blankets are only 75cm wide, which may sound small but it provides ample coverage for your baby to keep them warm in a pram.
Many variations will have cellular stitching which allows air to move through the fibers. There are two opposing benefits to this:
- Warm air is trapped quickly making it great for colder days.
- The free air flow creates a breathable environment in the warmer months.
This is a versatile item to keep in your nappy bag or stroller organiser, and is a cheap accessory with a number of practical applications.
Pram Blanket Design Features
Material
There are variations in the material used in a pram blanket. Cotton is the most common but there is emerging popularity around environmentally sustainable materials like bamboo fabric.
Here is a short summary of the most common fabrics used when manufacturing pram blankets. Each have a different feel but are all soft to the touch and gentle on a baby’s skin.
- Polyester – Soft, comfortable, and less breathable.
- Bamboo – Light, breathable, and environmentally friendly.
- Cotton – Breathable and good for sensitive skin
- Acrylic yarn – Light and breathable.
- Blended fabric – Performance will vary depending on the blend.
Pro tip: If you plan on spending a lot of time in the sun then you should also check the UV rating of your stroller blanket prior to purchase. This is not always available but can offer strong protection with some blankets carrying a rating of UPF50+.
Size
There will be variations between each design but the most common size range is as follows:
- Small: 75cm x 100cm
- Medium: 120cm x 120cm
- Large: 100cm x 150cm
- Twin: 150cm x 200cm
The larger sizes are very useful for double strollers in a side-by-side configuration. You can cover multiple kids at once.
Two Pram Blanket Categories
Heavyweight
Typically characterised by a thicker cotton or acrylic fabric that has an additional layer of fleece or a plush type material.
Very comfortable to the touch and provides a warm and cosy layer for your child on a cold winter’s day. You can often layer them up as well due to the larger size.
They are heavier of course, and you lose some of that easy portability that you get with the lightweight blankets. You may also need to store in the storage basket of a pram rather than in a nappy bag.
Lightweight
Often made from natural materials like cotton and bamboo, and a much thinner layer of material.
They will be amongst the smaller-sized blankets and great for milder temperatures.
The breathable material and cellular stitching make it easy to wrap up your little one for comfort while offering protection from the sun and other elements while keeping them cool in the pram seat.
Uses of a Stroller Blanket
Given how versatile and practical a pram blanket is we would advise carrying a small one with you whenever out with your baby (and maybe a spare in the boot of the car!).
Weather conditions can change fast, and babies are messy, so you never know when it will come in handy!
Here are a few scenarios where you may call upon your pram blanket outside of the stroller seat:
- Extra sun protections
- Portable nappy changing pad
- Makeshift picnic blanket
- Breastfeeding cover
- Car seat cover
Conclusion
Considering the modest cost of a good quality pram blanket ($30-$50) it is a must-have for all new parents. They are worth every cent!
Depending on where you live it may be worth buying a lightweight and heavyweight stroller blanket so you can interchange between the seasons, plus it is handy to have a spare anyway for reasons we have already discussed.
Hopeful you now have an understanding of what a pram blanket is, and how convenient it can be for parents, as well as amazingly comfortable for infants and toddlers.