A Great Swaddle for the sweet little newborns...

A swaddled newborn has to be one of the sweetest things... usually asleep, with all their amusing and adorable faces, tightly wrapped back to the coziness of the womb. Again, Merino Kids has done an excellent job creating a great product the Coocoi. This is a tight, easy to use swaddling blanket that is simple and made out of 100% Merino Wool- an amazing material. "Medical studies have found that babies and infants sleeping in or on merino settle more quickly, sleep longer, feed better, cry less and gain weight faster." I have used a number of good swaddling blankets. But I have had some issues with the baby getting too hot. Merino is great for that reason alone. "The main benefit of merino is its incomparable ability to maintain a comfortable micro-climate between body and bedding. Unlike synthetics, Merino breathes and controls moisture meaning that it has the natural ability to respond to changes in temperature. This unique garment property helps keep young ones cool when it is hot and warm when it is cold. "

If you have a new little baby I highly recommend checking out this swaddling blanket. If you have an older child check out their Go-Go bag for continued comfort and temperature control as your child ages. I have even had my three year old use one. It definitely makes a difference.

Check out this video for a video on use.

Sleep Product Review

So, what do you do when your new baby starts finding a way to escape from your oh-so-tight burrito wrap (swaddle)? You tried having them sleep unswaddled and it just didn't go very well. They still sleep so much better swaddled... what to do...

Kiddopotamus makes a wonderful swaddling blanket. It is easy, adjustable, and it will keep your baby snug in a swaddle a bit longer. I prefer the cotton over the fleece, and the organic option is wonderful.

Sleep Ponderings from Me: Nighttime Sleep for Infants

Gosh, I appreciate sleep, and although I miss so much about the newborn stage, I don't miss sleep deprivation. Thank goodness it is short lived EVEN if it doesn't seem like it when you are in it.

Nighttime sleep is dictated by an infants hunger (for the most part).
What I did: I would breastfeed every three hours during the day. My last feeding would be at 10pm and then I would feed whenever the baby woke during the night (I would not wake them- please listen to a doctor if there is a reason to wake them). This is what I did- and it worked great! I know there are other ways to do this and do what works best- but just make sure everyone is getting as much sleep as possible.

Other tips to increase nighttime sleep:

• Start with a simple bedtime routine- bath and feeding... (don't forget to change the diaper before and put PJs on- there is a chance you may have to change the diaper again- have the necessary things ready and those sleeper gowns are great for quick diaper changes at night).
  
• Swaddle- get a good swaddling blanket and swaddle that sweet little thing as tight as it needs to be for them to not squirm out of it. Note: let your child dictate how long they need to be swaddled- don't move them out too soon. Swaddling helps them not wake themselves when those cute little newborn reflexes go off.
• Turn on a fan in the room- (SIDS prevention tip) and possible a sound spa to drown out other sounds.
  
• Feed your hungry baby- make sure you get them a full feeding to maximize your next stretch of sleep.
• Chill for a minute when you hear them making noise- babies and kids (and adults) make noise in their sleep- don't be overzealous to go get them- they may surprise you and go back to sleep.
  

And when will you be sleeping through the night? Hopefully soon! According to Marc Weissbluth, the author of Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child, "many infants between six weeks and four months will naturally go to sleep late around 9:00 to 11:00 p.m., and sleep several hours without the need to be fed... After four months, infants tend to go to sleep earlier; around 6:00 to 8:00 p.m., and some now need to be fed once or twice before they wake up to start the day..." So, the answer is it will vary with your baby and what you are comfortable doing.

My first baby was sleeping through the night at five months (only after some specific sleep training to break her from the habit of waking every 2 hours to feed). My next two babies were sleeping through the night by eight to ten weeks.

One last thought, some days are funky; some nights are funky. Sometimes there is no clear explanation for why an infant has a bad night of sleep or whatever it may be that is 'off'. Begin again tomorrow

Sleep Ponderings from Me: Swaddling

Swaddling... The nurses wrap up your baby moments after you give birth back into a tight little bundle. They have just spent months held tightly in a warm environment, and I can only imagine birth and their new world are shocking.  Swaddling is a way to bring them back to the womb. 

Babies usually remain swaddled for much of their hospital visit. But, what happens when you take your sweet baby home? Some people continue to swaddle and some people do not. I encourage you to swaddle as long as your baby sleeps best when swaddled. Note: trying to struggle out of a swaddle does not mean they don't "want" to be swaddled. Swaddling keeps all their jumpy little newborn reflexes contained so that they can get good sleep (WHICH translates to you getting a goodnight's sleep). 

So, find a good swaddling blanket (this may change as your baby grows) and swaddle until they outgrow this (usually won't stay in the swaddle for any length of time or you notice that their jumpy newborn reflexes have calmed down). Also, before you leave the hospital ask a nurse to show you how to swaddle- and notice that they do not swaddle loosely- you are recreating the womb- do you remember how tight they fit into your belly?

I swaddled my first baby until she was 5 months old or so. I swaddled my son until he was only 2 months old, and I swaddled my third baby until she was 4 months old. I know of other people who swaddled past 6 months.  Like anything you will know what is best and what works for you, but don't give up the swaddle too early, it may increase night sleep.

Sleep Product Review: Holiday Gift Idea

A great gift set for someone with a baby are the Petunia Swaddling Blankets. They come in a set of three unique, adorable, and hip prints. They have sets for a girl, a boy, or gender neutral. Not only are these blankets made out of a very soft organic cotton, they are great for swaddling. They are a large 40x40 square that gives you plenty of fabric to properly swaddle that little cutie. And they come ready to gift away!

Check out their link: www.petuniapicklebottom.com/collections/accessoriesandgear