Five, Five Dollar, Five Dollar Ship-ping!

That’s right, blanketmybaby.com has extended our $5 flat rate shipping deal through the month of January.  This means you can buy all of the blankets on your wish list without paying any more for postage.  Blankets also make great baby shower gifts, and if you can’t make the shower, you can ship your gift straight to your friend or family member.

Buy a unique baby blanket in blue, pink, white or rainbow!  Go green and try an organic blanket, add luxury with a cashmere blanket or add personalized touch with an embroidered blanket.  It’s up to you, but the more you buy, the more you save on shipping!

This offer applies to all orders being shipped to United States addresses (excluding Alaska and Hawaii).  Visit blanketmybaby.com to start shopping and shipping!

Find a baby blanket like Jon and Kate’s

In this video, Kate plays a fun game with the kids using a large fuzzy blanket.

Jon and Kate Baby Blanket Video

Check out our selection of stroller blankets, fleece blankets and handmade blankets at blanketmybaby.com.  Many of these blankets are large, fuzzy unique blankets that can grow with your baby and help you make fun memories of your own!  Sometimes the simplest gifts make the best gifts.

Stroller Blankets

Handmade Blankets

Fleece Baby Blankets

Muslin Cotton Swaddling Cloths are a Family Tradition

I was talking with my mom over the weekend letting her know how much my sister-in-law loved the Aden and Anais swaddling blankets we gave her for the birth of her fourth child, our second niece.  My mom told me that while muslin swaddling wraps are really popular with modern moms, my great grandmother, better known as Granny, used muslin cloths to swaddle her children and grandchildren.  The material is breathable, stretches and is great for securing a snug wrap that will keep baby’s arms and legs tucked in. Believe me, if Granny did it, it is worth considering.

Granny was an amazing figure of strength in my family and had wisdom that takes a lifetime to acquire.  I admired her faith and her compassion, which were apparent in all she did.  Born in 1912, she saw a lot in her lifetime.  She lived much of her life in poverty and hardship, but was always giving to others.  One of the ways she served her poor farming community was by acting as a midwife.  She delivered many babies in a time when you had to boil water for sterilization and signal an ambulance by ringing a huge emergency bell in the yard.

The woman knew how to deliver a baby and get it to sleep without any fancy methods.  She tore apart old cotton muslin sheets to make tried-and-true homemade swaddling wraps. She knew that swaddled babies sleep best.

Granny died a few years ago and our family really misses her.  I carry on many of the things she taught me and hope that when we are blessed enough to have our own children, they will continue to carry on her legacy of faith and strength.  Whenever I wrap them in muslin swaddling blankets I will remember Granny.

For unique swaddling blankets in mod fashion (and we promise they’re not made of old sheets) check out blanketmybaby.com’s selection of Aden and Anais muslin cotton wraps.

Just a few clips make all your baby blankets multi-functional

Our last blanketmybaby.com blog post introduced nursing covers.  Well, let us introduce you to another hand-freeing product that can be used with all your blankets and could even help you create your own nursing cover.

One super-simple fix that’s used by trendy, thrifty parents are blanket clips and snaps. This relatively inexpensive cure-all solves the problem of only having two arms, two hands and one you!  If you have trouble keeping blankets on your baby and off the ground, you may want to do a little research into some of the products below.  Blanket clips, snaps, straps and bungies help keep blankets in the stroller or car seat or covering mom while she’s nursing.  Clips can also help you create a quick sun shield to protect your baby from harmful rays.  These products have so many possibilities–just be creative and you’ll have a homemade nursing cover, stroller blanket or car seat cover.  If you have a unique use for blanket clips, let Blanket My Baby and our readers in on your genius by posting a comment.

Blanket clips are available in a variety of colors, patterns and sizes that will coordinate with the accessories and blankets you already own.  They are sure to add style and functionality without putting too large a dent in your wallet.  They make great baby shower gifts.

Check out some of the products we found that are available at online boutiques and stores:

Blankie Bungie (Blanket Clip) from Z Daisy Boutique

Stroller Suspenders

If you want the blanket attached, check out Secure2Me baby blankets.  Click below to watch a quick video on the uses and simple functionality of the Secure2Me line.

Benefits of Sleep Sacks and Baby Sleeping Bags

Wearable baby blankets, including sleep sacks and baby sleeping bags are convenient for parents and comfortable for babies.  Typically the blankets keep the feet tucked in and zip, button, snap or velcro up the front.  They solve the age-old problem of babies kicking off the blanket and waking up cold or tangled.  They also help reduce the risk of SIDS by keeping blankets away from the face. Sleep sacks offer a great transition phase from swaddling to big-kid blanket.

Sleep sacks can be loose or tight at the bottom.  Some allow wiggle room for the feet and others function more like a swaddling blanket.  As for the arms - sleep sacks can be sleeveless, short-sleeved, long-sleeved or may tuck arms in with a swaddling feature.

When deciding on a sleep sack, it’s important to consider the temperature of the baby’s room and the season of the year.  Sleep sacks are available in many fabrics and may range from thick winter fleece to thin summer-appropriate cotton mesh.

Blanketmybaby.com carries several varieties of baby sleeping bags and sleep sacks in colors including blue, pink, green, yellow, white and more.  BMB offers several unique SwaddleDesigns fuzzy sleep sacks with satin trim and various Aden and Anais cotton muslin baby sleeping bags.  BMB also sells the handmade Sleep Pea Pods, which could be used as a swaddle blanket or sleep sack.

Pictured:  Swaddle Designs Mod Circles Print, Aden and Anais Bee Print

New Handmade Blankets

We’ve added some great new handmade blankets to our site from AllyZabba.  These blankets are truly unique because many of them have a raised, minky plush feeling on one side and the silky smooth texture of satin on the other.  Babies get the best of both worlds with these blankets.

If you’re interested in blankets that are hand crafted with love, you should definitely check them out.  Right now, we have over 10 different products that are available in many different colors and sizes.  Check out the AllyZaba Camo, Pastel Dot, Sloppy Baby, Aloha, Chocolate Dot and many more.

Handmade Baby Blankets by AllyZabba

Unique Muslin Swaddle Blankets for Baby: Practical and Posh

If you’ve read any of the blanketmybaby.com blog series, “An Everyday Parent’s Advice for Buying the Perfect Baby Blanket” you may have noticed a trend.  Many moms and dads recommend swaddling blankets for new babies, but complain that typical receiving blankets are not big enough to swaddle with.  Several of these parents also mentioned that the fabric of swaddle blankets is key.  You want a blanket that will keep the baby warm.  However, the fabric should still be breathable so that the baby does not sweat and become uncomfortable.

We at blanketmybaby.com found a product line–Aden and Anais Australian Muslin Baby Wraps–that seem to come in a size and fabric that will quiet both complaints.  The swaddle blankets are 47 inches X 47 inches and are large enough for a comfortable swaddle.

The cotton muslin fabric keeps babies at a comfortable temperature.  According to Aden and Anais, “Muslin is a unique cotton fabric first introduced into England in the late 17th century. Muslin has a light, open weave that allows air to flow seamlessly through the material. The soft natural fibers allow your baby’s body temperature to adjust naturally, eliminating over-heating, but ensuring warmth and comfort.” Swaddle instructions and unique product options can be found on our website.

These products were developed by two moms who moved to the U.S. from Australia.  Shortly after the move, both moms looked for muslin swaddling cloths for their babies (apparently a baby staple in Australia) only to find that muslin swaddling blankets were actually quite uncommon in the U.S.  After many compliments on and requests for their hommemade muslin baby blankets, the two moms created Aden and Anais.

Aden and Anais muslin swaddle blankets come in many patterns and color combinations.  The blankets pictured above are from their mod line.  These are mostly white with small, colorful graphics.  From traditional solid to trendy prints, these blankets are both practical and posh.  They can be purchased in packs of two or four.  The blankets are machine washable and are safe to put in the dryer.  They actually get softer as you wash them!  Aden and Anais also carries muslin wash cloths and hooded towels.

A unique way to gift a homemade receiving blanket at a baby shower

This idea was submitted by:
Heather, 28, Florence, KY
Proud mom of David, Marisa, Joseph and TBD

My mom makes really big receiving blankets for everyone who has a baby, and wraps their gifts in them.  She makes them at least a meter squared.  They stretch width-wise across the crib with room to tuck in a bit, and I use them all the time.  When securely tucked in, they can go directly next to the baby’s face in the crib.

My sister-in-law loves them for nursing because they provide great coverage, but don’t over-heat the baby.  They’re also good for getting a snug, not-going-anywhere swaddle.

So if you want a quick, easy sewing project, buy a yard or so of cute cotton flannel (preferably one with finished edges along two sides) and all you have to do is hem or serge the other two sides.  If you’re making a blanket for your own child, my only advice would be to not over-estimate how much available time you are going to have to make these blankets after your baby arrives.  I’ve got lots of material in the basement for cute blankets that I doubt I’ll ever get around to sewing.  Make them before baby arrives if you can, new moms are busy ladies!

An Everday Parent’s Guide for Buying the Perfect Baby Blanket - It’s all about the TEXTURE

Amie, 32, Cincinnati, Ohio
Proud mom of Allie and Ella

The top three qualifiers for a great baby blanket are definitely texture, color and size says Amie, mom of two.  However, she says a great texture is the number one baby blanket attribute by a wide margin.  Below, Amie shares why texture is key when it comes to finding a baby blanket that both you and your baby will love.

Well for me, it’s all about the texture…

Textures for play
Of all the baby blankets I owned, the one I liked best was a “tag” blanket that my sister-in-law made.  The blanket is a 24” square, colorful blanket with all types of ribbons on the exterior for babies to feel and chew.  Babies love to play with fun textures!

Textures for temperature
Recently I saw that they’re making baby blankets out of the same material as the extra-soft North Face coats.  The micro-fleece blankets feel fantastic and fleece is a great material for keeping your baby warm and cozy.

Textures for swaddling
For swaddling a newborn, the perfect blanket texture is just like an extra thick, cotton t-shirt.  The material is soft against your baby’s skin, not too hot and not too cool.  The elasticity in this type of material allows for the stretch needed for a good, tight swaddle.

Textures we could all live without
A dear friend made us a flannel blanket when one of my girls was born.  I love it because she made it for us, but we really never used it because it was just too stiff and bulky.  You wouldn’t use a blanket that was stiff, bulky, hot, itchy or otherwise uncomfortable.  Why wrap your baby in a texture you wouldn’t wrap up in?

An Everyday Parent’s Advice for Buying the Perfect Baby Blanket – You don’t always have to buy the perfect baby blanket – Handmade, crocheted blankets are my all-time favorite

Lisa, 33, Eastgate, Ohio
Proud mom of Nolan, Rylie and Ashlynn

Of all the baby blankets I’ve owned, I would have to say my overall favorites are crocheted blankets.  I’ve never made one myself, but I’ve received many as gifts.

I love that crocheted baby blankets are:

1) handmade by special people (a great heirloom for you or your child)

2) breathable (The natural holes from crocheting make the blanket breathable, as well as the often used cotton yarn.  However, if the crochet pattern is too loose, little fingers and toes can get stuck in the blanket.)

3) great for use as a blanket or for decorating (I love the look of crocheted blankets and often drape them over the crib or hang them on the wall)

4) unique (Since no two handmade blankets are exactly alike, they are always unique.  I have several made with unique colors or patterns.  The yarn used may also have a unique texture or be made from an organic yarn like wool or organic cotton.)

I am a photographer and one of the crocheted baby blankets I own is featured in a picture in my portfolio.  You can view it on my website.  Just follow this link to the Hezlep Photography site.