Thermal blankets provide an additional layer of comfort for the child. These items tend to be more durable as they can get dragged around, but they must also be machine washable for ease of use.

Some well-wishers get hung up on the type of baby blanket to buy, its color, fabric and quality.

Find out whether the mother has a gift registry, where there may be a guide to the type of baby blanket most favored or where blankets may have been purchased already. Unless you are familiar with the decor of the nursery, choose a baby blanket with neutral colors.

Always buy a baby blanket of quality. Items with poor construction can fray and as babies tend to suck on everything in sight, it is obviously best to avoid poor quality.

During the early days, babies should not be given blankets to sleep with, as heavier blankets can cause a risk of suffocation. There are a number of other items such as specially designed sleep sacks or pajamas than can be used to great effect.