Mark Every Moment With a Baby Milestone Blanket
Despite the sleepless nights and early mornings, the first year with baby flies by. When my own girls were small, people often told me that “the days are long, but the years are short”—and now that they’re both in college I can confirm that indeed, it’s true. Before you know it, your little one will be a busy toddler. Many parents have the urge to capture every landmark moment, but finding the time to fill in a baby record book or set up a picture-perfect shot can be tough. That’s where a baby milestone blanket comes in.
These sweet blankets help you remember exactly how old baby was in a certain photo (something I would have appreciated when my foggy new-mom brain struggled to remember what day of the week it was). They come in a wide variety of designs including personalized milestone blankets, reversible blankets and holiday-themed blankets to commemorate all of baby’s big firsts.
Whatever option you choose, safety is paramount. In preparation for your photo shoot, put the blanket on a flat surface at floor level, and remember to never place soft bedding in baby’s crib. Ready to start your search for a monthly milestone blanket? Check out a few of the cutest options below.
To find the best milestone blankets to capture all of baby’s early months:
- We considered a variety of criteria, including material, accessories, size, comfort and, of course, aesthetics.
- We read customer reviews to see whether the products held up when used in actual baby photo shoots, and didn’t consider anything with less than an average four-star rating.
- Since many of us are parents, we relied on our own experiences with our children.
Editorial integrity is at the heart of everything we publish. Read about how The Bump develops and reviews all articles, including product reviews.
Overall best baby milestone blanket
- Versatile design
- Includes 14 milestone cards
- Bright, bold pattern
Looking for an Insta-friendly milestone blanket? The search is over. The adorable woodland-themed blanket has a bright, bold design that’ll photograph beautifully. Better yet, you can switch up the look each time you post; rather than circling a number, use one of the photo-prop cards, shaped like leaves, to display baby’s age. And because baby’s growth isn’t the only thing to celebrate, this set also comes with four first holiday cards: Valentine's Day, Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas. Once your little one hits the one-year mark, use the muslin blanket as a decorative addition to your kiddo’s nursery.
Dimensions: 40" (L) x 40" (W) | Materials: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash
Best organic cotton baby milestone blanket
- Comes with props
- Care instructions not provided
This sweet blanket is made from organic cotton and finished with velvet to make it even softer. A rainbow and the words “Today I am” accompany the numbers indicating days, weeks, months and years and it comes with a wooden hoop and arrow to indicate how old baby is.
Dimensions: 41" (L) x 39" (W) | Materials: Cotton, velvet | Care instructions: N/A
Best personalized baby milestone blanket
- Doubles as a swaddle blanket
- Can’t go in the dryer
Caden Lane has an entire collection of cute, personalized milestone blankets to choose from. Our top pick? This rawr-some dinosaur blanket that doubles as a swaddle. It’s made from a super-soft brushed jersey and can be customized with baby’s name in the top-left corner.
Dimensions: 38" (L) x 55" (W) | Materials: 95% polyester/5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, line dry
Best holiday milestone blanket
- Includes 10 different holidays
- Black and white design
Tell the world it’s baby’s first Christmas, New Year, Valentine’s Day—even Cinco de Mayo and St. Patrick’s Day! This holiday milestone blanket is printed with ten different holidays and comes in a plain, black and white print that leaves room for you to decorate with your own holiday-themed props.
Dimensions: 47" (L) x 47" (W) | Materials: 70% cotton/30% bamboo | Care instructions: Machine wash
Best sustainable baby milestone blanket
- Comes in multiple designs
- Made with recycled materials
- Pricey
Searching for a baby milestone blanket that fits into your boho aesthetic and meets your eco-conscious values? Check out this option by Earth Baby Outfitters, which donates unsold stock and plants a tree for every order. The wrinkle-resistant blanket comes in several designs with sweet sayings including “Live by the sun, love by the moon,” and “Little Dreamer.” Better yet, it’s made from a blend of organic cotton and touchably soft Tencel—which is made with closed-loop processing (meaning it’s made with recycled fibers).
Dimensions: 45" (L) x 45" (W) | Materials: 60% lyocell/35% organic cotton/5% spandex | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry
Best twin baby milestone blanket
- Super soft
- Family-owned brand
- Only available in one colorway
Shopping for twins? There’s no need to buy two milestone blankets—this sweet option is double the fun. The soft fleece blanket is extra-large, with a designated spot for each sibling. Sold!
Dimensions: 50" (L) x 40" (W) | Material: Fleece | Care instructions: Machine wash
Best reversible baby milestone blanket
- Two-in-one functionality
- Large size might make photos challenging
Document baby’s achievements and age with this double-sided blanket. One side lets you track baby’s age by days, months or years, while the other lists milestones, like their first smile, wave and step.
Dimensions: 50" (L) x 50" (W) | Material: Polar fleece | Care instructions: Machine wash
Best Disney baby milestone blanket
- Classic design
- Made from polyester
Introduce baby to your favorite Disney character with this darling Winnie the Pooh milestone blanket. The blanket boasts black-and-white illustrations of Piglet, Tigger, Eeyore and Pooh. And it even comes with a frame in the shape of a honey pot—how sweet!
Dimensions: 50" (L) x 40" (W) | Materials: Polyester | Care instructions: Machine wash cold, tumble dry low
Cutest milestone blanket
- Made from organic cotton
- Bold floral design
- Doesn’t indicate weeks or years
Your little one truly is blooming every day—and this cute-as-a-button milestone blanket says it, not only in words but with a bouquet of blooms scattered across super-soft, breathable organic cotton muslin. An included wooden hoop indicates baby's age in months.
Dimensions: 47" (L) x 47" (W) | Material: 100% organic cotton | Care instructions: Machine washable
Best budget-friendly baby milestone blanket
- Affordable price point
- Gender neutral design
- Available in two colorways
Last on our list is this affordable (and adorable) monthly milestone blanket by Gerber Childrenswear. Made with soft muslin, this pick is beautifully crafted and offers the perfect backdrop for at-home photography. Plus, it comes with a soft, moveable frame to mark each month. And at less than $13, it’s a real bargain!
Dimensions: 47" (L) x 47" (W) | Materials: 100% cotton | Care instructions: Machine wash, tumble dry
Never heard of a milestone blanket? You’ve probably seen one in your social media feeds. Similar to a traditional baby blanket, these printed throws typically feature baby’s age, and make a perfect backdrop for monthly snaps. You can take a picture on your phone and collate them into a slideshow for baby’s first birthday party, or use an instant camera to print adorable photographs to display around your home. Here’s what to look for in a good one:
- Comfort. You’ll want a blanket that’s soft and cozy for baby to cuddle up to, even if you only plan to use it for one photo shoot. A comfy blanket will make it that much easier to get baby to smile (or snooze, as the case may be—who doesn’t love an angelic sleeping baby pic?).
- Accessories. Many milestone blankets come with props, such as stuffed toys or rattles, that can make the photo session more fun for baby.
- Ease of care. A washable blanket is always a good idea, in case of a diaper explosion or fountain of spit-up. (Don’t they always seem to happen at the most inopportune times?)
- Themes. Looking for something a little different? Some options are designed to document major moments in the calendar year, such as baby’s first Christmas, Thanksgiving or birthday.
About the writer
As a commerce editor for Woman’s World and First for Women, Elizabeth Nelson tested, researched and reviewed everything from e-bikes and adjustable beds to swimsuits and skincare products. As a mom to two grown daughters, she often thinks, “I wish I’d had one of those when my girls were little” when writing about products for The Bump. That’s especially true when it comes to milestone blankets, since she has a box of baby photos with no dates written on the back (that’s right, her kids were born before smartphone photography).
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