Choosing The Right Fabric For Your Swaddle Blanket
Congratulations, you have decided to swaddle your baby. You have made the decision, so now what do you do? Lets take a look at a few tips that might help make swaddling even easier for you and your baby .
Before your baby is born, or now if your bundle has already been born, I suggest that you look into what kind of fabric you want your swaddle blanket to have. Everyone has different preferences for texture, fabric blend, dyes (for patterned blankets), and if you want your blanket to be organic or not. While choosing this aspect, I would keep in mind what climate your newborn will be in. Is it summer or winter? Is the baby going to be sleeping with you or in your room, or is she or he going to be in a separate room? What is the temperature where the baby will be doing the majority of their sleeping? Do you or do you think your baby might have sensitive skin, or allergies. And finally, will you or your baby be traveling a lot, (together on trips, or will your child be going to child care).
For safety, fabrics need to be lightweight to decrease the chance that your baby will become overheated. This is where your climate can be a factor. If your baby is a summer baby or will be sleeping with you, chances are they will be more comfortable in a lightweight breathable fabric. Another option is to use a swaddle blanket that is smaller, that would only wrap around their body once. It is not recommended to use heavy blankets, such as fleece, as these tend to keep the baby too warm and can cause overheating.
If you, or your baby have sensitive skin, or allergies, an organic blanket might be a good choice for you. Dyes can be irritating to some skin, and remember you will be in contact with this blanket almost as much as your infant, so if it agitates you, you may need to use something more natural. Also, once you have purchased your blanket it is a good idea to wash it with the laundry soap you plan on using for you babies things, this way you know its clean, and it will smell like home.
If you plan on traveling, camping, or sending the blanket to a childcare center, you would want to find a blanket that is durable and easily washable. Cotton is always good in this situation, but muslin wraps also seem to fair well with repeated washings. Also in these situations you might want to opt for a patterned blanket, as it has a better chance of hiding accidental staining.
Swaddling is great for your baby, and finding the right blanket for you and your lifestyle can be easy. When you consider your environment and expectations for your blanket you will be able to find the one that’s right for you. Happy swaddling!
David Ridge is a father who knows what a difference swaddling your baby makes. Click the link for more information on great swaddle blanket products, like the Miracle Swaddle Blanket.
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