Receiving blankets..dumb FTM ?

pearlsonthebeach

Hey, I know this is a stupid question, but I can't seem to find the answer I'm looking for.

 

I'm trying to get my bag 100% packed today. I'm giving birth at a birth center, and the list they gave me says: 8 (Eight?!?!) Receiving Blankets, 6 for birth, 2 for going home.

"For birth" kind of implies to me that these might get messy... so why not use towels instead of cute patterned blankies? 

Also, what the heck is the difference between a receiving blanket and a burp cloth? Should the receiving blanket be the kind you can swaddle LO in?  

I'm kind of picturing those blanket things that you always see babies in at the hospital- white with the blue/green stripes on the edge. But since I'm not giving birth in the hospital and it sounds like they want me to bring my own/will not give me any, where do I find the appropriate size/weight blanket? 

 Sorry and TIA. I know this is probably a ridiculously dumb thing to not know about, I'm just a little confused and want to bring the appropriate items. 

cookinitup

receiving blankets at the hospital are the light flannel kind that you can usually get in 3 packs. Burp clothes or cloth diapers are better for cleaning up messes and are too small for swaddling. If you need receiving blankets that will get messy - try finding some at a consignment store like Once Upon a Child, or get a friends with kids to give you their old ones. No point in buying them new. You might want to consider bringing some swaddling blankets for after the baby is cleaned up. Those are bigger than the flannel receiving blankets.

botanicalbliss

I would call them and see if they are planning on making you use your own receiving blankets for wiping up baby etc. after birth.  They  might just want you to bring them to have to wrap baby in and want you to bring extra in case baby spits up or poops on them.

If they want you to use them for the actual birth, buy some cheap flannel ones or even just make them by cutting up flannel and stitching the sides.  Don't use your  nice patterned ones or your swaddle blankets.

If they're just for wrapping up baby, bring some of your receiving blankets and maybe some swaddle blankets too. 

klibby707

If they use them for birth, I would go buy the cheap white receiving blankets.  Burp cloths are smaller, while receiving blankets are larger.  After birth, I would use swaddling blankets that you have.

LaxMOM44

You an also cut up an old flannel sheet if you have one. Or find an old flannel sheet at goodwill and cut it up.

Schell2013

I would call them and clarify. I am also having my baby in a birthing centre and don't have to bring blankets for the birth so I don't know if its just that one place that has that policy or what but I have never heard of that before. They usually like to use their own stuff.

pearlsonthebeach

Thanks everyone!

picked up some cheap ones at target today and will call the center on Monday to clarify the purpose. :

zenmama3

Did you get a list for a "birth kit"  If so than chances are the first 6 will be used to catch/wipe/clean baby right away.

I was planning to have my first at a birth center, but ended up having a homebirth using the same midwife.  Her list had the 8 blankets for the birth center birth, the list I got for my home birth also had 10-12 towels.  Everything was used by the end of the delivery. 

 I'm 37 weeks with baby no4 right now, all my baby's have been born at home.  And this LO will be as well.  

I love my receiving blankets, the ones that get stained during delivery have turned into flannel baby wipes, on the go changing pads, and the occasional  "holy cow the baby's pooping/peeing everywhere!  clean up rags"