Receiving Blankets as Cloth Diapers

You wouldn't immediately think of a receiving blanket as being a diapering option, but it makes an excellent flat diaper for many reasons:

A)  It's 100% cotton
B)  It's square/rectangle
C)  It's easy to launder
D)  It dries quickly
E) It comes in a million pretty colors and patterns


When first hearing about using receiving blankets as a diaper, I was skeptical.  I wasn't quite sure about the logistics of it.  I mean, it's a blanket after all.  But when it really comes down to it, it's a 100% cotton piece of fabric that like any other flat, can be folded many different ways!

My first task was to acquire receiving blankets.  Unlike most everyone in America, I didn't receive a horde of them at my baby shower.  I had a small low key shower and received a total of three receiving blankets.  I knew that in order to properly test the theory of using these for diapering our three month old, I would need a lot more than just three.  We usually go through around 10-15 cloth diapers a day.  The quickest way to acquire additional blankets was to post an add on several of our local Facebook online garage sale sites.  So, that's what I did.  I posted an add on three sites stating:

"ISO: Receiving blankets for baby. Preferably unisex or girlie prints. Like new or very very gently used. Please post price when responding. Local In-Town PU preferable."

Within the hour, I had responses.  Ultimately, I acquired an additional 25+ blankets for less than $1 each.  I'm sure if I had posted that I was looking for free receiving blankets, I would have also had responses as a few of my acquisition were indeed donated to me. 

My next task was to wash them and get them ready for use.  As I was pretty sure that none of these receiving blankets had been used for diapering in the past, I skipped a disinfecting soak and went straight for regular laundering.  No need for any special "cloth diaper safe" soaps/detergents (I don't use anything special on my regular diapers either - gasp! - But we'll talk more about that later).  I used our regular Arm & Hammer Free and Clear that we wash all of baby's clothes in.  Why A&H F&C you ask?  Because that's what was on sale before she was born.  I also have a stash of All F&C waiting in the wings.  When that is all gone, I'll likely go with Kirkland or Tide F&C until our Dirty Little Hippie is a little older and less likely to have detergent sensitivities.  After a hot water wash and a quick dry, I decided to use my favorite "Diaper Bag" fold and get them all ready.

You can google "Flat Diaper Folds" and find a million of them.  I do plan on a separate post with picture and video links, but don't have time for that right this moment.  So, pin this post and check back in a few weeks where you will find an updated link to said future post.

The diaper bag fold works great for us because it stores and carries perfectly.  Here are a few examples of what the fold looks like completed.  

 Once folded, they store very nicely.  Here I used $1 bins from Dollar Tree for storage.  You'll notice that one bin holds more than the other.  I suggest finding storage that is affordable and works for you.  At $1, Dollar Tree really does have some great storage ideas!

18 Folded Diapers (Ready to use)

16 Folded Diapers (Ready to use)

I decided to do a 5 day test run of exclusive receiving blanket diapering.  Well........with one exception.  We still use 1 disposable diaper every night.  I've been blessed with a baby who sleeps but is sensitive to wet.  I don't currently see the point in disturbing her sleep just to say we cloth diaper 100% of the time.

Here is what our "diaper bag" diaper looks like.  You will note that I use fleece liners in all of our diapers (this photo shows our blue butterflies).  The fleece liners wick moisture away from baby and keep her happy and dry.  I am happy to say that it has also eliminated our bout with wetness rash. 

Folded Receiving Blanket

Blanket with "wings" open

Blanket with "tail" open

Blanket with fleece liner placement shown

A Blanket on baby as diaper secured with snappi

Blanket covered with cutest Rumparooz diaper cover

At the end of our 5 day trial, I can honestly say, we'll continue using receiving blankets in our diaper rotation.  Here are some notes from our experience:

1.  Receiving blankets come in different sizes.  There are standard sized blankets (square) and large blankets (rectangle).  
2.  They're much thicker than the flour sack towels that we use and that was a downside for me.  I prefer the thin flour sack towels as they are a trimmer fit for our three month old. Some people prefer a thicker diaper and for you, these would be perfect for any time any day.
3.  When I get ready to try cloth at night, these will be on my list.  They can hold some serious liquid! I would say they hold twice or three times the amount of liquid my flour sack towel diapers hold and they are seriously absorbent.
4.  The large blankets will be well suited for larger babies, toddlers and overnight.
5.  Blankets can be secured using a snappi or pins.  I prefer a snappi as I would seriously be poking myself ALL the time with pins.


Remember, receiving blankets are 100% cotton and are perfectly safe and suitable as cloth diapers.  The fact that they are marketed as "blankets" does not make them an inferior choice.   They come in a million pretty colors and patterns and I found that we could go without a cover if checked often. They can be found at garage sales, online garage sales, friends, family and thrift shops for next to nothing.

Have you or do you use receiving blankets as cloth diapers?

Do you think you'll try them now?

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