Is it safe to use scented blankets for babies?
Skip scented blankets. Plain, washed cotton is the better choice for baby sleep.
What is in it
A scented blanket usually gets its smell from fragrance in detergent, fabric softener, dryer sheets, or a scented finish. Fragrance mixtures can include many volatile organic compounds. Babies do not need that on sleep items.
This matters most for babies with wheeze, cough, eczema, asthma in the family, or a room that already has dust or poor air flow.
What the research says
The Generation R Next Study, published in Environmental Research in 2026, did not find that the full bisphenol and phthalate mixture was linked with ever having a respiratory condition in infancy. It did find that higher BPF, BPS, and some high molecular weight phthalates were linked with more asthma-related symptom episodes.
The National Academies indoor-air review also lists detergents and fabric softeners as fragrance sources. It found limited or suggestive evidence that certain fragrances can trigger symptoms in people with sensitive asthma.
What to do
Use plain organic cotton blankets and wash them with fragrance-free detergent before first use. Skip fabric softener, dryer sheets, scented closet sprays, and nursery room sprays.
If the blanket still smells strong after washing and airing out, do not use it for sleep.
The research at a glance
| Study | Journal | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Fetal exposure to bisphenols and phthalates and risk of respiratory conditions in infancy. The Generation R Next Study. | Environ Res | 2026 |
| Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures, Indoor Chemical Exposures | National Academies Press | 2000 |