If you use the flannel make sure you wash it to shrink it first.

The deal about the polyester melting (as it was explained to me) is that if it melts on the skin it will stick to the skin creating a worse burn where as cotton turns to ash and can be brushed off - less severe burn.

I believe Jan is right about the hotness of some batting. When my boys were babies I always did layers rather than one thick item.

I always wondered about the distance on quilting versus tying. If it bunches up when it's not quilted close enough there's a lot of area not secured with tying.

I like flannel because you just need to anchor it. I also like to tac it with my sewing machine if it's a small quilt rather than tying it.

Thanks to all for the answers I have received. I never imagined there could be so many different items to use but I knew this board would come through with great answers. I will look at all the different possibilities you have given me and try to make a good decision.

I had thought about that possibility with the ties. The DG I am making this for wants ties. She had an aunt that made quilts and they were always tied. Brings her the warm fuzzies to know this will be tied.

I usually use warm and natural or warm and white. another idea is to use fleece- it can be batting and back all in one. Makes a soft cuddly quilt

I personally think 2 layers is enough for baby or toddler, I have only made 2 baby ones but both cotton top with cotton flannel backing ( so soft) and did the bag method rather than binding on those. Easy.

I use warm and natural.

My kids are in their late 20's to early 30's and I still have quilts that I made for them years and years ago. I made nice thick "floor quilts," using a thick polyester batting or two layers of regular batting. I used these in the bottom of the playpen or as a play quilt. I tied them every 4 inches or so, in both directions. They are still nice enough for grandkids to use. I mostly used baby yarn for the ties and double-knotted them.

I used a very light and thin batting for crib quilts and cuddle quilts. The polyester batting seems to have worn better over the years. The cotton battings are a little worn/lumpy after 10 years or so of laundering. The flannel interlining has held up well, also. I like using flannel in the middle between the top and a backing. Flannel as a backing gets pretty pilled after many washings. It is lovely for a while, but it turns rough (or at least mine did).

I still have around 8 quilts I made so many years ago. They aren't very fancy but they hold many special memories. :)