How to use the Snug and Tug Blanket

The video below shows how to use the Snug and Tug swaddle blanket by Go Mama Go Designs.  The Snug and Tug is unique, simple to use and effective for swaddling.  It is available in several cute prints and colors (including pink, green, blue, white, rainbow and more) at blanketmybaby.com.

Snug & Tug has a triangular shape and was specifically designed for swaddling. Winner of multiple awards, this unique blanket uses a velcro system for a tight and secure swaddle. Recommended by doctors, nurses, doulas and parents.  Snug & Tug is available in 2 generous sizes to fit your growing baby and is made with high quality breathable, stretchable super soft cotton. In a snug swaddle, your baby will sleep better than ever.

Understanding the Problem of Sleep

Here’ another great video from Johnson’s Baby Channel offering expert baby advice.  In this video, we are discussing the problem of sleep.  Here are a few facts from the video:

1. Sleep problems are one of the most common problems of parents
2. 25-30% of babies have problems sleeping
3. The two most common problems are waking at night and difficulties falling asleep at bed time
4. A recent poll found that 69%, more than two thirds of parents, wanted to change something about their child’s sleep

Expert Sleep Advice from Johnson’s Baby Channel

Question:  How can parents develop good sleep habits for their babies?

Answer: Check out this informative video by Johnson’s Baby Channel and find out.

Do 3 Main Things:

1. Have a Set Bed Time – Put your baby to bed at the exact same time every night

2. Bedtime Routine – Be consistent.  Do this every night!

3. Put the babies down to bed drousy but awake – Let them fall asleep on their own.  Then, they’ll naturally put themselves back to sleep if they wake during the night.

There is also great info in this video on night time feedings.  At Blanket My Baby, we are all about brining you helpful parenting tips.  We hope this video gives you some great tips!  Check out our swaddling blankets for a great night’s sleep for your baby.

Nursing Covers and Blankets Help Moms Simplify

My best friend recently had her first baby and has more blankets than we can count, including some from blanketmybaby.com.  This is a good thing because her little guy is just over one month old and uses a lot of blankets.  He’s almost always wrapped in one and they get dirty quickly.  The times I see her use blankets most are for swaddling and nursing.

She’s struggled with the initial ups-and-downs of breastfeeding, just like most other first-time moms, but is coming out victorious.  I have noticed though, as she feeds (which it seems she is doing the majority of the time), the blanket she uses to cover with needs a lot of adjusting or often falls off completely.

I thought I had brainstormed the next blanket manufacturing idea–but it seems I’m a little late.  Nursing covers and nursing blankets are quite popular and utilize clips or are of large size to help breastfeeding moms stay covered.  They’re modest, typically easy to use and can be fashionable!  Well, if I can’t be the one to come up with it, check out some other great companies that have.  You can purchase covers with straps attached or just the clips/straps.

Clip’n'Feed is a Multi-Use product with custom made detachable clips and a Neck Strap, offering “2 Ways to Clip’n'Feed®” without exposing the mother to a nosey public while the neckline allows for direct eye contact with your baby. While our competitors are only offering single-use covers, Clip’n'Feed® solves four problems in one. Clip’n'Feed® also is a Stroller Cover, Car Seat Cover, and Baby Carrier Wrap. No other cover has “Stroller Straps” to tie down to the stroller and protect baby from the weather. (according to http://www.clipnfeed.com/)

“Cover Me” Nursing Cover Clips by Little Carr.  Little Carr offers a really well-made and high quality “Cover Me” clip in several different prints.  Unlike other breastfeeding clips that have metal clips, the Cover Me Nursing Clip’s hardware is a durable plastic clip that is very wash and wear friendly and the clips are adjustable so that the breastfeeding mom can adjust the strap to her desired length.  Need an extra reason to buy?  Your Cover Me Nursing Clip can also be used in a pinch as a bib cover – simply attach the clip to any cloth or paper napkin and adjust around your baby’s, infant’s, or toddler’s neck during dining.  (according to http://www.nursingcovers.com/)

And remember to shop blanketmybaby.com for all your swaddling blanket needs,  unique baby blankets and unique shower gifts.  Hopefully soon we’ll also be able to provide all your nursing blanket and nursing cover needs!

New Swaddling Blankets

Check out our new Aden and Anais swaddling blankets, and come back often because we are busy adding more.

Winter Warmth 2 Pack

aden + anais double layer wraps will allow you to safely swaddle your baby knowing they will sleep comfortably and securely during the cooler weather. We use the softest, open-weave natural fibers that help your baby’s body temperature adjust naturally, so your baby will remain snugly and warm, without overheating..

Why Muslin Cotton?

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.

aden and anais products were developed by two Aussie mothers who moved to the United States in 1996. Muslin wraps, which were a staple for Australian moms, were hard to find in the U.S. They brought a little bit of Aussie style with them and now produce several varieties of soft, muslin cotton breathable fabric blankets.

Aden and Anais Swaddling 2 Pack

Sleep Pea Pod Swaddle Blanket

In doing some late night research the other night, I came across the Sleep Pea Pod Swaddle Blanket.  This is not your ordinary swaddle blanket.  It’s a great solution to offering parents the comfort that a swaddling blanket gives a newborn without the difficulty in actually swaddling a baby!

Sleep Pea Pod

This blanket claims to be the Swaddle Less blanket. It stands as an alternative to swaddling blankets and sleep sacks so your baby can sleep well, and so can you!  As you place the blanket on your baby, the Sleep Pea Pod takes advantage of fabric pockets that catch your baby’s arms, while giving them plenty of feed wiggle room.  Also, you can use the blanket in arms free mode.

The blankets run from $25-$30.  Standard blankets are sized to fit most infants from 0-9 months, transitioning to arms free mode.

I absolutely love this blanket, and it seems like a great idea that can compete with the Miracle Blanket or SwaddleMe.  The simplicity of it is wonderful, and if parents and babies are happy, then it’s a winner.  You can find it at our store with our other swaddle blankets.

Here’s a great video to show you how it’s done.

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 Everyday Parent’s Advice for Buying the Perfect Baby Blanket – Choose a blanket that is big enough for swaddling and lets you know when the baby is wet

Heather, 28, Florence, KY
Proud mom of David, Marisa, Joseph and TBD

My favorite swaddle blanket
I think the blanket was purchased at Walmart, but I’m not sure.  It is made of a very heavy, very soft cotton fabric and has a satin edging all around the blanket.  One side is solid baby-blue, the other is patterned. This blanket is my favorite because it combines a lot of my preferences: the satin trim is snuggly, it’s a fairly heavy cotton fabric, it has a very dense weave and it is the perfect size!

Of all the preferences listed above, my FAVORITE feature of this blanket is that it’s slightly wider and longer than all my others!  There seems to be some unspoken rule out there about the dimensions of a baby blanket.  They’re all the same size–too small!

The small blankets are fine for the initial swaddling but there’s no extra fabric.  This means that as soon as the baby starts to move its arms or legs the wrap comes loose, and within a minute they’ve wiggled themselves cold. The blanket I’m talking about is the only one like it that I have.  It’s truly unique in that it’s just a bit larger, and tucks a bit further around the baby than my other blankets.  It truly keeps my kids swaddled.  This blue blanket has been my favorite for all three babies even though Marisa is a girl.

Pee ID
The solid color on the underside of this blanket means you can identify instantly if the baby has peed or spat up.  Blankets that are all patterned hide so much that the baby might be wet and uncomfortable but you can’t see it.  This blanket goes dark, so it’s obvious.  I always wrap the baby so the dark side is outward and I can tell if my baby is wet right away.

I prefer cotton to fleece.  Fleece fabrics feel dry to the touch no matter what, so it’s harder to tell when the baby has soaked the blanket.

An Everyday Parent’s Advice for Buying the Perfect Baby Blanket – Swaddling blankets and multi-purpose blankets – Babies need different blankets as they grow

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

Below, Lisa, mom of three, explains that babies will require different types of blankets as they grow and as their needs change.  To help other parents and blanket shoppers in their baby blanket searches, she describes her criteria for swaddling blankets and her preferences for blankets for swaddle graduates (older babies).

Swaddlers

For newborns you need a great swaddling blanket!  Look for blankets that are:

1) perfectly square
2) stretchy
3) big (when I’m using them to swaddle, most regular receiving blankets don’t feel big enough)

I own a receiving blanket made of thermal material that I would recommend.  It’s made by Koala Baby and can be purchased at Babies “R” Us.  The blanket is green, made of 100% cotton, very stretchy and perfectly square.  You can easily swaddle a baby with it and it keeps the baby warm during the colder seasons.  A great swaddle would keep my baby comfortable and sleeping.

Koala Baby Thermal Receiving Blanket – Babies “R” Us (pictured)

I would not suggest buying regular, cheap receiving blankets for swaddling infants.  At my house, they just ended up being used as burp cloths.

Swaddle Graduates (older babies)

As babies get older and more active, I recommend blankets that are:

1) breathable
2) soft (babies LOVE soft materials for cuddling and playing, especially silk or satin)
3) durable (during this stage, babies become attached to certain items—namely their blankies—so you want one that will hold up)
4) big (it’s nice to have a blanket big enough to throw on the floor at other people’s houses and let the baby play)

One word of warning:  In my experience, the blankets that have a solid silk or satin side with the opposite side made of a soft material tends to make babies sweat profusely.  The sweating is usually worst if they are touching the silky side of the blanket.  This is one of the reasons I recommend breathable material.