Babies & Kids Blog » Bedding

The first weeks of life are new and frightening to your baby.  They’ve spent 9 plus months in the comfort of your womb, snuggled in tight and warm with lots of restful white noise.  Swaddling mimics the secure feeling of being in the womb and when done correctly, can dramatically reduce newborn crying.

You might notice that your newborn startles himself awake or seems frightened by his own movements.  He may cry for what seems like “no reason”.  Your baby feels lost in this big wide open world and he is struggling trying to find the snug comfort he needs.

So how do you do it?

Step 1:  Lay a blanket on a bed (or soft and safe surface) and fold down the top-right corner about 6 inches.  You will want a blanket slightly larger than the average receiving blanket because you want your swaddle to stay bundled and not unfold when the baby moves.   Some blankets, such as the Miracle Blanket (pictured above) are specifically designed for swaddling.

Step 2:  Lay baby down on his back with his head on the fold.

Step 3:  Pull the corner near your baby’s left hand across his body, and tuck the leading edge under his back on the right side under the arm.

Step 4:  Pull the bottom corner up under your baby’s chin.

Step 5:  Bring the loose corner over your baby’s right arm and tuck it under the back on his left side.

This tight full body swaddle is great for the first month or so, but as time goes on you may notice that your baby is more comfortable with his arms free.  Also, after the first month you will want to loosen the swaddle around the hips so you do not interfere with your baby’s normal growth.  Watch an instructional clip on how to swaddle below.

YouTube - Watch  .

Be very careful that you do not over dress your baby.  Check your baby to make sure he is not too warm.  Never, ever place your newborn or infant on his stomach, especially when he is swaddled.  When you do lay your baby down, make sure that the area is clear of blankets and pillows.

If you would like to know more about swaddling and other methods for helping your baby to be content longer and sleep better, I highly recommend the book “The Happiest Baby on the Block” by Dr. Harvey Karp (Lowest Price on Smarter.com: $4.64) .

It is the single most helpful book I used when my daughter was an infant.

Good luck new moms!

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for affordable swaddling blankets and receiving blankets.

After just 3 weeks of sleeping in her Moses basket, our brave baby began to prefer her crib. We found that she slept better on her side, and tried to accommodate her growth with a balance of snuggliness and safety, as she was still too young to roll herself back over if she tipped forward in her sleep. We rolled up blankets and tucked them in front of and behind her, but found that since blankets don’t breathe well, she would get very toasty in her sleep. It also got tricky trying to keep blankets rolled up and re-arrange them each time she got up at night and was put back to bed.

The First Years Baby Positioner is a wonderful thing!

A friend suggested this Baby Positioner, which has been the perfect sleep accessory. It has a Velcro adjustment to grow with her. The Baby Positioner provides cuddliness no matter what position she falls asleep in, making it great for back-sleeping babies, too. The ventilation flows beautifully so our baby doesn’t get too hot and sweaty in her sleep, but does allow for us to put a blanket over her without concern about it being pulled over her head. It also serves well for any parents who co-sleep, putting a boundary around the baby for sound-sleeping moms and dads.

There are several similar products on the market. We compared many of these products and found that the First Years version was the best or our baby. This Positioner is a great value, as it cost a fraction of other Positioners. It’s simplicity is a welcome relief after the complications of every other product we had to put together for our baby (swings, strollers, play mats, etc.). Some of the other Sleep Positioners feature a wedge-shape to keep the baby’s head up while sleeping, but we prefer the small flat-laying version so our baby doesn’t slide in her sleep.

And the best feature of all — a baby who is sleeping 4-5 hours a night! Of course this comes with her growth, but any little thing we can do to encourage her healthy sleep, we welcome with open arms and sweet dreams.

To check out baby sleep positioners on Smarter, click here.

Photo Source.

Pottery Barn Kids can be kind of pricey. You are getting what you pay for, however. They do make top quality babies’ and kids’ furniture, clothing, toys and other products. So, it’s always awesome to be able to find great products in their on clearance/sale section. Check out these great bedding sheet sets on clearance/sale at PotteryBarnKids.com!

Andi Sheeting: $14-$109 Now: $2.99 - $49.99

Noah Plaid Sheeting: $18.00 Now: $3.99

Sateen Nursery Sheeting: $39.00 Now: $19.99

Sports Sheeting: $24-$69 Now: $6.99-$49.99

Find at Smarter.com:  Shop for more kids’ sheets.
                                        Discounts on baby sheets.

It’s funny how cheetah or leopard print can make the simplest things much cooler and a bit more “edgy”.  Your little wild child’s nursery will look super cool with this patchwork baby blanket. It’s super soft & cozy as it is made of sherpa and velour. It also comes in “blue camo” and “ivory giraffe” - all are on sale!

“Cheetah” Novelty Patchwork Baby Blanket: $27.99 Now: $20.99

*Use coupon code SURVEY at check out at JCPenney.com and get 15% off! (Exp: 09/30/08)

Here is a great deal on a pretty floral bed sheet set. I particularly love this set because it’s a subtle floral pattern making it pretty unique.  These will match a variety of comforter colors like black, white, purple…get creative!  It’s a very calming and happy pattern….just the feelings we’d like our kids to experience on a daily basis.

Lilac and Sunshine Dutch Floral Sheet Set: $99 Now: $49.50 (Twin size- also available in full and queen)

I found a coupon code at RetailMeNot.com that gives you 10% off - P08072 - That’s about 5 more dollars off - $44.55 (not including tax)

Also, this product qualifies for free shipping!

Help your baby appreciate nature with this “Flower Power” Crib Bedding Set!  For the sale price of $199 you will get a crib bumper, quilt, 200 thread count sheet & crib skirt.  If you want more nursery accessories like a lamp shade, cute round pillow ($30), extra sheets or a sherpa blanket ($25) that will cost a bit more, but not much.

Flower Power Crib Bedding Set: $250 Now: $199.00

Check out the Zaky.  It is an ergonomic pillow designed to feel like a mother or father’s hands.  Your baby will feel that the weight, size & touch of the Zaky is like your hands & forarms which helps with support, comfort, protection & development.  Don’t get me wrong.  I do think the concept of the Zaky is very practical & interesting, but it kind creeps me out…a little.   I would imagine if a baby was left overnight with the Zaky and woke up in the morning they may be scared that mommy’s hands were cut off.  Maybe if it didn’t look like actual hands and was a color that no one’s actual skin is…like a nice pastel green or purple the baby would still be confortable even while realizing that it isn’t their parents actual hands.  I do understand the value of sleep to a parent and if it works for you….GREAT! 

                    In this picture, it looks more like a baby body pillow verses some scary hands. 

Has anyone tried this infant pillow or know of someone who has?  If so, what do you/they think about it?