Monday, March 30, 2009

Don't Forget....

The coupon code for my blog readers expires tomorrow 3/31. In addition, for extra savings, I've put our standard size blankets on sale for a limited time so people can buy/try them using the new swaddling technique in my last post. Thanks for making March an incredible month...looking forward to welcoming April.

Friday, March 20, 2009

Swaddling Technique from Mr. Bobbles' Blankets

After the birth of both of my sons, it took quite a while to get good at swaddling. Even with a ton of practice, I was never able to get the wrap as tight as the nurses at the hospital. These days, there are a lot of special swaddling wraps and blankets out there (I tried a few with my second son), but I still think a good old fashioned cotton blanket works the best and is the most practical since it has so many other uses after those swaddling days are over.

I frequently hear from parents about how wonderful our standard size blankets were for swaddling their infants. They are larger than most so they work out great for larger babies. I've also heard from few parents of smaller babies that our blankets worked out great for them as well because they could double wrap their child as instructed by their pediatricians.

I recently found out about a swaddling technique that works really well with our standard size blankets, so I thought it would make a great post. This technique is sometimes called the Aussie Swaddle (it was posted by an Australian mom on a baby forum a while back). There are a few variations to this swaddling technique, but you'll get the general idea. This technique works best with a rectangular shaped receiving blanket (just like our standard size blanket) in a lightweight all-cotton fabric (double-sided or thicker blankets, and some synthetic fibers like polyester, don’t breathe as well and may generate too much heat). This swaddling technique is more comfortable for many babies because it keeps their hands/fists up next to their face rather than straight down by their sides.

1. Lay blanket out on a flat surface lengthwise as shown. Fold down a flap of fabric at the top and place baby in the middle of the blanket with shoulders on the fold.


2. Place baby’s right hand under the folded flap (or you can start from the left side).

3. Keeping your baby’s hand covered with the flap (at about shoulder height), pull down the top corner of the flap and tuck under baby’s right leg.

4. Take the outer edge of this new flap of blanket and wrap it around your baby’s body and tuck under at the left side.


5. Now place baby’s opposite hand under the first original flap.

6. Flip up any extra fabric at the bottom of the blanket to create a flap at the bottom.


7. Keeping you baby’s hand covered with the flap (at about shoulder height), pull down the top corner of the flap and tuck under baby’s body.


8. Take the outer edge of this new flap of blanket and wrap it around your baby’s body to create the swaddle.

Swaddling generally works well for the first couple of months. Some people say you should stop swaddling around the time your baby starts to roll over, but I remember stopping before that milestone - it all depends on your baby. As always, check with your pediatrician for advice and resources. And please become familiar with and follow all current SIDS recommendations when putting your baby to sleep, including:

· Place infants to sleep on their backs on a firm mattress with no other objects in the crib/bed
· Avoid overheating the baby
· Keep baby’s environment smoke/tobacco free
· Ask your pediatrician for more recommendations and resources

I hope that this swaddling technique works for some of you! I'd love to see any photos or feedback.

Thursday, March 19, 2009

About Swaddling: Swaddling your newborn baby has many benefits including making your baby feel secure, similar to being in the womb. Swaddling also helps to control the sudden arm/leg movements caused by the startle reflex. It is best to use a lightweight, single-sided, all-cotton blanket to avoid overheating your baby. Heavier fabrics, double-sided or thick blankets, and some synthetic fibers (like polyester) don’t breathe as well and may generate too much heat. Please become familiar with and follow all current SIDS recommendations when putting your baby to sleep, including:

· Place infants to sleep on their backs on a firm mattress with no other objects in the crib/bed
· Avoid overheating the baby
· Keep baby’s environment smoke/tobacco free
· Ask your pediatrician for more recommendations and resources

For this type of swaddle (sometimes called the Aussie swaddle), a single sided rectangular shaped blanket works best. This swaddling technique is more comfortable for many babies because it keeps their hands/fists up next to their face rather than straight down by their sides.

  1. Lay blanket out on a flat surface lengthwise as shown. Fold down a flap of fabric at the top (about x inches) and place baby in the middle of the blanket with shoulders on the fold.
  2. Place baby’s right hand under the folded flap (or you can start from the left side).
  3. Keeping you baby’s hand covered with the flap (at about shoulder height), pull down the top corner of the flap and tuck under baby’s right leg.
  4. Take the outer edge of this new flap of blanket and wrap it around your baby’s body and tuck under at the left side.
  5. Now place baby’s opposite hand under the original flap.
  6. Flip up any extra fabric at the bottom of the blanket to create a flap at the bottom.
  7. Keeping you baby’s hand covered with the flap (at about shoulder height), pull down the top corner of the flap and tuck under baby’s body.
  8. Take the outer edge of this new flap of blanket and wrap it around your baby’s body to create the swaddle.

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Coupon Code for Blog Readers

We just started our blog recently and have lots of good information coming up about babies, toddlers and preschoolers, as well as other topics of interest to parents. In the meantime, if you happen to stumble across our blog and want take a peek at our products, I'm posting a coupon code for our blog readers to use at http://www.mrbobblesblankets.com/

BLOG15 - save 15% of your order, applies to sale items but not to gift certificates, cannot be applied to an existing order. One use per customer. Expires 3/31/2009

Sunday, March 1, 2009

Top 10 Reasons to Use a Toddler Pillow (plus one extra for mom)...

Top 10 Reasons to Use Toddler Pillows (including one for mom)...


In my previous post, I discussed how to choose a toddler pillow and when to start using one. I hear lots of input from parents so here are some of the best uses that I've heard for our toddler pillows:
  1. Use with kids (2+ years old) prone to ear infections or sinus troubles, or during cold/flu season
    Pediatricians sometimes recommend a toddler pillow for a little extra elevation of the head during sleep to help promote drainage (please check with your pediatrician first!).

  2. Send a toddler pillow to child's daycare/preschool for naptime
    Your child will feel special and have a comfort object from home. Also, the fabrics are unique so the pillow won't get lost.

  3. Use as a special pillow for overnight stays at Grandma's house;
    Purchase a special extra pillowcase just for use at Grandma’s house – your child will see it as a special treat and have fond memories. We heard from one customer whose children visit their grandparents on their farm so she purchased our farm-theme pillowcases for her children to use at the farm house.

  4. Use as a travel pillow for toddlers (or adults!)
    Our travel sized toddler pillows are a must for long rides in the car seat or airplane trips. Don't use those flimsy and dirty/germy airplane pillows - bring your own. Also great to use once you get to your destination. I don't know about you, but they never seem to have enough extra pillows in the hotel rooms.

  5. Use with our satin pillowcases to reduce tangled hair
    Using a satin pillowcase helps the hair glide easily over the fabric thus reducing tangles during sleep;

  6. Great gift idea for big brother or big sister
    Paired with a sweet goodnight book, stuffed animal or decorative nightlight. Or create a "theme" gift and give a toddler pillow with a pillowcase to match the theme, for example Pirates or Frogs.

  7. Give as a baby gift along with a matching receiving blanket or burp cloth set
    Before baby is old enough to have a baby pillow while sleeping, a toddler pillow is great for extra support when nursing or bottle feeding. Also great for padding when baby is learning to sit up.

  8. Perfect size to use as a toddler bed pillow
    Helps to make the transition to the toddler bed easier and more fun!

  9. Help soothe child at night
    We’ve even heard from parents that they used our toddler pillows to help convince their toddler that he/she is now a big boy/girl and to give up their binkys (pacifiers) at night!

  10. Okay, now for mom’s turn - Great for mommy too - even before baby arrives!
    Place toddler pillow behind mommy's lower back or neck for extra back support while rocking, feeding, driving, etc. I took one to the hospital with me for comfort during labor and delivery, and also used it in the hospital while nursing. I also use one with a satin pillowcase as my travel pillow.