When my grandmother needed one, I made a smal doll size blanket, made of different texture fabric squares, that I used fabric tabs to secure baby toys to. The baby toys (think stuffed animals that rattle) made a sound to 'investigate and touch', and they made different sounds, and had different textures. Might be difficult to do on large scale, but a labor of love for Nana.
(the baby toys are washable right with the blanket. I also put her first and last name on it. Things do get lost in a nursing situation.)