Author Archives: Mrs. Swaddle

SwaddleMe is the Best Swaddle Blanket for first time parents

Posted by on April 9, 2013 Comments Off

Congratulations on your first baby! I’m sure you are excited and maybe a little overwhelm sometimes when you think about the challenges of raising a little one. Well, as parent the best advice I can give is to educate yourself to become the best parent that you can be.  That is why you are searching and learning about the best swaddle blanket that is out there for your baby.

Swaddle ME swaddle blanket First, all newborns are swaddle in receiving blankets at the hospital. Upon delivery, a nurse will wrap your wonderful bundle of joy in a blanket to keep them warm from the coldness of the outside warm. Just think, the baby has been tightly squeezed inside the mother wombs for sometime. The act of wrapping the baby recreates the womb experience while keeping him warm. A receiving blanket is typically smaller than a swaddle blanket because newborns are typically smaller, but they serve the same purpose of wrapping your baby.

My son was born 5 weeks ahead of schedule and I didn’t get a chance to go through the usual baby classes, so I was not prepared for a lot of things and swaddling was one of them. The nurses were nice and taught us how to swaddle our son. We eventually got the hand of it.

But, when we went home and tried swaddling past the first week, it became clear to us that swaddling will be challenge with our son. After swaddling our son, he would move around and eventually the swaddle will loosen. His arms will stick out and he gets uncomfortable. We were always afraid of over tightening our swaddle because it might to restrictive and be uncomfortable again.

Well, through all the try and error, we went with the Summer Infant SwaddleMe because we found the Swaddle Me to be easy to use. It was easy to put the baby in the SwaddleMe and quickly swaddle him before he is able to escape. We found that we could use the Velcro flaps or wings as markers to tell us how tight we wrap him. It provided some consistency. Lastly, it was easy enough that my husband could help out with the swaddling.

First time parents should look at the SwaddleMe as their swaddling solution because it truly is Simple as 1-2-3 to use.

Carter’s Snoozy Snug Blanket Review

Posted by on February 9, 2013 Comments Off

Carters Snoozy Snug BlanketAre training your toddler off swaddling? Then, the time has come to introduce a comfort blanket to your little one. A comfort blanket or security blanket is something your toddler carries and sleeps with to help reduce any anxiety they might have. This Snoozy Snug blanket by Carter’s is a great to start building that comfort relationship.

The blanket is extremely soft on one side and fuzzy on the side. The fuzzy side adds a different texture for toddlers as they love grabbing and feeling different objects. The Snoozy Snug blanket is made from 100% polyester and can machine washed. After multiple washing, you will notice that the blanket is durable. The softness will be like when you first purchased it, so your baby will feel nice and cozy when they are covered by this blanket. The colors remain bright and the pattern ducks, bunnies, or monkeys do not fade after cleaning the blankets in the washer and dryer.  The   However, the fuzzy side does wear down faster than the soft side. If your child is aggressive enough and start pulling on the fuzz, they can start falling off. Also, the fuzzy side of the blanket tends to retain more lint than the soft side of the blanket.

Carters Snoozy Snug BlanketThe Carter’s blanket is generously sized at 30×45 to completely swaddle and cover your toddler.  There are bigger blankets out there, but I found this blanket size adequately covered my son when he takes his naps and sleeps at night.

Here are the main reasons why you need this blanket

Graco Receiving blanket review

Posted by on January 31, 2013 Comments Off

Graco Receiving BlanketGraco is well known for making popular car seats, strollers and combination of the two called travel systems. They make quality products for babies, so when I found out that they are selling receiving blankets I wanted to check them out.

The first observation is that these receiving blankets are soft to the touch and are made of 100% cotton flannel. This 4-pack set has various color designs ranging from giraffes to circle patterns. These receiving blankets are 30”x40” in size and great for newborns, but if you were thinking about swaddling your baby with these blankets when after the first month, then you might want to looking into other swaddle blankets by Aden and Anais or Swaddle Designs. They make blankets that are as large as 47”x 47”.

These Graco receiving blankets can be easily machined wash and dry without any problems. The colors do slightly fade with washings, but it adds a broken in look to them. The flannel does loose some of its softness, but they are still great for wrapping your baby. Muslin fabric swaddle blankets tend to stay softer even after multiple washing.  But, what makes these blankets great is the pricing. It’s relatively affordable for a pack of 4 that you can easily rotate when they get dirty.

With any receiving blanket, your baby will eventually out grow them or you want to train them to sleep un-swaddle. But, these Graco receiving blankets are versatile and can be used for other useful things like a towel, wipe, blanket, shade covering or for whatever comes to your mind.

How swaddling can help with a colic baby?

Posted by on January 15, 2013 Comments Off

Colic babyA colic baby is generally described as a frequently crying baby and they cry for long durations. The cause of the crying can stem from wet diapers, being hungry, not being comfortable or improper temperature, but are usually beyond these common issues for all babies.  Many pediatricians have started stressing the 5S to help comfort babies and their colic tendencies. The 5S are Swaddling, Side (or Stomach) position, Shhhhhh, Swinging, and Sucking. Swaddling is the first step in soothing a baby because it will try to remind a newly born baby of their time in the mother womb. A swaddle baby will be tightly wrapped (but are still comfortable) in a swaddle blanket to keep them warm and cozy. The compression of their body into a restricted space will conjure up good memories. This will hopefully relax and calm an anxious baby who is not use to the cold world that they arrived in.

The 2nd S is for Side or Stomach holding of the baby. Some babies find this position more comfortable for resting then sleeping on their back. Try various positions to hold your baby until they get comfortable and can fall asleep in your arm. My son loves it when I hold him up and he rest his head on my shoulders, but this will vary depending on the baby.

3rd S is for Shhhhh as in the noise you make when you want to quite down. I made a recording of me Shhhhh so my throat doesn’t hurt so much from Shhhhh to long and my son doesn’t know the wiser.  I think the background noise is another tool that calms him down and the regular rhythm of the Shhhhh adds familiarity to his nap and sleep routine. My son also likes classical music as it is another great tool to signal to your baby that they need to rest, calm, and be prepared to sleep.

The 4th S is for Swinging or rocking a baby in the certain rhythmic motion. These motions along with sounds like Shhhh adds to the familiarity of sleep time and is great for signaling to the baby what time it is. The motion also reminds them of their time in the womb because mom would be walking back and forth and baby would move around in the amniotic fluid like a water-slide.

The 5th S is for Sucking on items like a pacifier or other items. The sucking motion reminds the breastfeed baby of their connection with their mom. It provides security for them knowing they are not too far away from their mom.

By combining the 5S most parents will have some success in reducing the colic of their baby and swaddling is the 1st step that parents need to take! With a less colic baby, parents can have some sweet dreams of their own at night.

Who makes the easiest swaddle blankets to swaddle a baby?

Posted by on January 8, 2013 Comments Off
Easiest Swaddle Blanket to use for your babyI understand parents who are swaddling challenge with traditional square swaddle blankets. My husband tried with our first son numerous times, but we realized swaddling was not his forte and started looking for alternative methods that we can safely and easily swaddle our son. The good news is there are a lot different swaddle blanket designs that make swaddling easy!
The top three easy swaddle blankets that are easy to use are the Woombie, SwaddleMe, and Halo sleepsack. I listed the three different types swaddle blankets in order that is best for your baby base on their size and age.
The Woombie is a cocoon style swaddle sack for your newborn that makes swaddling as simple as pulling up a zipper. The Woombie with its stretchy fabric will wrap around your newborn like a sleeping bag. It will keep them warm and comfortable like a traditional swaddle but without all the worry of the swaddle coming loose. You can read more about the Woombie from an earlier review. The cocoon style swaddle is great for all preemies and little babies, but bigger babies might find the sleeping back too tight, especially around the neck opening. My son has a small neck and it got a little uncomfortable for him as he got bigger, so we transitioned to another swaddle. A drawback of the zipper is then whenever we tried to unzip, it would always wake up my son.
Swaddle ME swaddle blanketAfter 2 weeks, my son was swaddle in a SwaddleMe blanket. The SwaddleMe design looks like a pouch with two wing flaps to wrap around your baby. This design is easier for bigger babies compare to the Woombie because you have more room to place the baby in swaddle sack. Also if your baby is a little active with their legs, it is easier to get them inside without much of a struggle. You can read more about the SwaddleMe from an earlier review. Overall, the SwaddleMe allows for comfortable and easy swaddling of bigger babies with their unique wing flaps that wraps around the babies arm and chest. These wings are held securely together with Velcro straps that maintains a tight swaddle. However, the Velcro sound when you release the baby from the swaddle could easy wake up a sleepy baby.
Variety in Halo SleepsacksAfter 2 months, we switched our son to an even bigger swaddle sack by Halo. This swaddle sack is a combination of the Woombie and SwaddleMe. The Halo sleepsack has a sack that you zip up to secure your baby in and then it has Velcro wings to secure a nice swaddle. It’s easy to use and necessary at this point to use because my son is so active and strong now that he can easily extract himself from the other swaddles. You can read more about the Halo Sleepsack from an earlier review. Overall, the Halo sleepsack is a great transition swaddle blanket for babies who are almost big enough to go swaddle free. The Halo sleepsack can transition into a wearable sleeping blanket that will give babies the freedom to use their arms while keeping them warm.
Try the easy to use Woombie, SwaddleMe, and Halo swaddle blankets for your newborn and you will enjoy the benefits of a longer nights sleep for your baby and yourself.

Best Swaddle Blanket for your 2013 baby

Posted by on January 3, 2013 Comments Off

Aden and Anais 2013Moms who are expecting a little one in 2013 should try Aden + Anais muslin swaddle blankets and bring a pair with you to the hospital! These swaddle blankets are the best you can find because of their safety benefits, the comfort & quality of material, and the versatility. I got a 4-pack as baby shower gift and I love using them.

When my son was born, I realized swaddling a newborn can make them safer when they are sleeping in their cribs alone. A swaddle baby will help babies sleep on their backs and reduce the likely hood of SIDS. A swaddle baby will reduce the effect of moro reflexes which startles a sleeping baby and keeps them from having long sleep times. A swaddle baby will be more comforted because the swaddle is a blanket that will keep a baby warm like the time he was in your womb. But over zealousness in swaddling with thick and multiple blankets can be detrimental for babies as they can overheat. Signs of overheating can be found in wet blankets from sweat and babies’ temperature rising above the normal 97 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit range. Aden + Anais’ swaddle blankets are finely weaved muslin cotton, making them very breathable. The breatheability of muslin cloth will keep infants warm enough without the fear of incubating them. This makes muslin swaddle blankets great for hot and dry climates and reduces the risk of overheating. If babies are not warm enough, multiple muslin swaddle blankets can be used to further insulate the baby. Being able to use multiple swaddle blankets makes it more versatile for environments with big temperature swings between night and day.

The versatility of Aden + Anais’ swaddle blankets can be found in how lightweight and compactable they are. You can easily fold a full size blanket (47” x 47”) into any small pocket and take it with you wherever you go. This flexibility is an added bonus, especially if you are a parent on the go. Traveling with a baby could be tiring enough, but having to carry extra weight will tire you even more.  Travel light and you can use them as a nursing cover, burping cloth, wipes, and for shade. The versatility is only limited by your imagination.

Aden and Anais 2013 swaddle blanket reviewThe material quality is great, as the cloth is as soft a swaddle blanket you can find anywhere. The softness will help comfort your baby and will not irritate your baby’s soft skin. The swaddle blanket has great elasticity for better and easier swaddling of the baby. The fabrics are very durable and after multiple washing you will notice the swaddle blankets will get softer. You will be using these blankets for a long time without any worries of needing to replace them. The price you will be worth the investment because of its durability and versatility.

Aden + Aneis 100% muslin swaddle blankets are great quality swaddle blankets fit for all babies. The swaddle blanket will help parents comfort their newborn and the reward will be extra hours of sleep for both.

Are muslin swaddle blankets too thin for the winter?

Posted by on December 11, 2012 Comments Off

I’m a big fan of the muslin blankets because I live in a traditional warm area of the United States. But, with winter upon us the night temperature can easily drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit. As a cautious parent, you are probably thinking a muslin swaddle blanket is not warm enough for your baby. You are probably right because muslin blankets are designed for hot and humid environments to help cool your baby.  Here are some things you can do to make sure your baby is adequately kept warm in their swaddle blanket –

  1. Turn on the room heater for the baby’s room and keep it nicely warmed around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
  2. Instead of using a single muslin swaddle blanket, I’ve seen parents use 2 muslin blankets at a time to further insulate their baby from the winter cold.  But you can always use more muslin blankets until the baby is warm enough.
  3. Mix and match a muslin swaddle blanket with another thicker cotton swaddle blanket or fleece swaddle blankets.
  4. Switch to the pouch swaddle blankets by SwaddleMe, Miracle Blanket, and Halo. These items are great because after I swaddle my baby in a muslin fabric, I can further cover them in one of these ouch swaddle blankets. It provides another layer that I don’t have to worry about my baby kicking off in the middle of the night.
  5. Go away from the swaddle blanket if your baby is old enough and start using sleepsacks to help keep them warm. There are plenty of thick and warm sacks from Halo or Merino Kids that are great and comfortable for any baby to sleep in

During the winter, parents can sometime cover their babies with so much insulation that they can actually get too hot. Here are some signs you need to look for to make sure you are not overheating your baby

  1. Check for redness in his face.
  2. Check for sweat on his forehead and hair.
  3. Check for wet and damp clothing that is un-related to a leaky diaper. Usually the spots that I look for is the back of the clothes around the shoulder area.
  4. Increase fussiness during the night because he or she is uncomfortable

Yes, muslin blankets are too thin for a baby during the winter. Muslin swaddle blankets are great for hot and humid days, but during this winter season, parents should look at alternatives for better options in keeping their little ones warm and comfortable during those cold nights.

 

American Baby Company Receiving Blanket Review

Posted by on November 13, 2012 Comments Off

American baby organic Receiving BlanketSwaddling a baby has been practiced for generations and is enjoying a strong revival because parents are realizing the numerous benefits swaddling baby can provide. A swaddle baby will be kept warm and comfortable during the cold winter. The cozy feeling will remind a newborn of their time in the mother’s womb, which will calm and soothe babies who show signs of colic. Additionally, swaddling a newborn will help them sleep on their back, which is recommended sleep position of American Pediatric Association. With all these benefits, parents just need to find the right swaddle blanket.

The American Baby Company is a wonderful organic receiving blanket that can meet the swaddling needs of all parents. The fabric for the blanket is extremely soft and stretchy. The softness you can feel upon the touch. The stretchiness makes it great for swaddling because you need a little pull to create a nice wrap around your baby for them to be securely tucked in. For those who like teddy bears, then you will find a treat with this receiving blanket. On one corner of the blanket you can find a cute teddy bear. The bear embroidery does get rough after some washes, but the cotton fabric overall is durable and soft after multiple washes.

The color of the blanket is mocha and this neutral color makes it great for mixing and matching with other items you might have to dress your baby in. The color does not fade with multiple washing and can be machine washed and tumbled dry in most dryers. This make cleaning the blanket convenient for busy parents.

This is a 100% organic cotton fabric. So, parents do not need to worry about the potential of harsh chemicals being used to prepare the blanket. No chemical, pesticides were used in making of the materials that went into this wonderful swaddle blanket.

On disadvantage that I noticed about this product is the size. It’s a good 30×40”, but 30×40” is relatively on the small side when compared to other swaddle blankets that are on the market. If you have a bigger baby, then this receiving blanket might be too small and your baby would easily out grow the blanket in a month. There are some swaddle blankets that go as big as 47”x47” that are also made with high quality cotton.

The major plus about this blanket is it’s relatively affordable for an organic swaddle blanket. Priced at $9.99 on Amazon, it’s the most budget friendly blanket you can find. After reading more into the company, we found out why. The blanket is actually manufactured outside of America and that is why we think it’s affordable. Even though it is made overseas, the swaddle blanket is still a top quality product that is great for swaddling your baby.

Overall, the American Baby Company receiving blanket is a great buy for parents who are looking for an affordable organic swaddle blanket for their little one.

L’ovedBaby Swaddling Blanket Review

Posted by on October 24, 2012 Comments Off

L'ovedBaby Swaddling BlanketWinter is approaching and what better way to keep your newborn warm than swaddling them in an L’ovedbaby swaddle blanket. These L’oved Baby brand are traditional swaddle blankets made with 100% cotton and you can feel the softness of the fabrics as you rub them with your hands. It’s perfect for newborn’s soft and smooth skin.

The cotton fabrics are stretchy and this will come in handy when swaddling your newborn. By having a little give, you can create a more secure wrap around your baby. A tight swaddle is a good swaddle because you don’t want your baby to be wiggling themselves out of the blankets because it could potentially be a hazard for them.

The cotton fabrics are thicker than most cotton blankets, which makes it a great receiving blanket for keeping your newborns warm during the winter. Other swaddle blankets made out of muslin are great for hot and humid temperatures but do not keep your newborn as warm. Most parents found 2 muslin fabrics are needed to keep a newborn adequately warm in the winter.

The L’ovedbaby swaddle blanket comes in a 37”x37” size and in 8 different colors, ranging from pink to grey to caramel. The size is a little small compared to other swaddle blankets from Aden and Anais and Swaddle Designs, but some people find the larger blankets (up to 47” x 47”) just too big to swaddle a baby because you have extra leftover blanket that you need to tuck away. Personally, I liked a bigger blanket because I want my swaddle blanket to be big enough when my son gets older. Some parents keep up with swaddling until 6 months or later at that point a 37” x 37” blanket might be a little too small.

The L’ovedbaby swaddle blanket is made with great quality. You notice the quality and craftsmanship when you wash the blanket. The cotton fabric maintains its’ soft feel upon touching it out of the dryer.  The embroidered logo is durable and the color of blanket does not fade with use, what more can you ask?

L'ovedBaby swaddling blanket

If you are looking for winter swaddle blanket for your newborn, give the L’ovedBaby swaddle blanket a try.

What is moro reflex?

Posted by on October 22, 2012 Comments Off

Moro reflex or Startle reflex is used to describe the quick movement of newborns, infants, and babies up to the age of 4 to 5 months. You’ll notice it when it happens because it’s like your baby spontaneous receives a jolt of energy and their natural response is a quick reflex movement of their body. You don’t need to worry, as this is a common occurrence for babies.

Doctors who studied and identified moro reflex believes it’s part of the natural development of babies. Moro reflexes causes the arms to extend and potential grab hold of their mother as a form of security blanket.

The negative impact of moro reflexes is that the quick movement can wake up a sleeping baby. By using a swaddle blanket, the comfort and warmth of the wrap around a newborn can help reduce the startling a baby and potentially help your newborn sleep for a longer time.