Yes, yes I know I am way far off from having the baby, but let’s face it I have got baby on the brain. And my wonderful sister in law is not so far off from having her baby so I have been really thinking lately about all the tricks that you wish you knew when you were a first time mom that are old hat the third time around.
One of my favorite tricks to calming down a baby and getting her to fall asleep and sleep for longer than 15 minutes is swaddling. And besides the fact that it works, they look so darn cute all wrapped up like a little burrito. Sure they taught me how to swaddle in our “get ready for baby- wholly crap what did I sign up for” class, but they made it look really easy. And when I practiced on the STILL, LIFELESS DOLL it was really easy. Oddly enough when I tried to do it to the very real, squirmy, squishy baby it was not so much.
Thankfully, my hubby was an expert swaddler. Seriously, he could wrap that baby up in no time flat. I would get all mixed up and twisted up and she would pop out of the blanket in no time flat. But here are some tips to swaddle effectively. I really like this video for 2 reasons: I am a sucker for the accent. And I really liked the second swaddling method which I actually hadn’t heard of, but I think it would have really been effective for Hannah who didn’t like having her hands bundled.
I should say that not all babies like swaddling. It totally worked for Lily and helped her sleep like a baby (what moron invented that phrase), but Hannah absolutely hated being confined. She would scream and kick until she had worked her way out of it so we abandoned that plan pretty quickly. The other thing that is key is using the right kind of blanket. A receiving or swaddling blanket preferably. Other types of blankets and quilts probably won’t work well to fold and/or the baby will easily kick out of it.
I am actually really excited because the swaddling blanket they talked about in the video, I was recently asked to try. I was really impressed with the fabric used. I had never felt anything like it before in a swaddling blanket. And it is so much bigger than other blankets which I found my kids grew out of quite early. Aden and Anais, the makers of these wonderful blankets, has generously offered a set of their Winter Warmth wraps to a lucky reader. These are a bit heavier than their normal wraps, but still a great weight that won’t leave your baby overheated.
To win, simply leave me a comment. So simple!! I will pick the winner with random.org. Also, if you would like your own swaddle blanket and don’t happen to win the contest, you can still get a discount on their Winter Warmth Blankets and Dream Blankets. Their Winter Warmth Swaddles are on sale for $29.95 (normally $49.95) and their Dream Blankets are on sale for $39.95 (normally $59.95). Visit adenandanais.com and enter promo code “wintersale” to receive the discount.
For more tips on what works for other bloggers, head over to We Are That Family.
Kelly
says:
Such a great giveaway! Swaddling is awesome! That’s how my sister gets her little guy to sleep.
Kellys last blog post..Celebrating Life & Death
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April 14th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
SimplySara
says:
Ok, I so wish I had known that second swaddle with our third! She hated having her arms in tight, but I think she would have slept better if she had been swaddled that way! Oh well….maybe for the next one
Great video!
Thanks for sharing!
SimplySaras last blog post..Homemade Fun!
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April 15th, 2009 at 12:30 am
Raine
says:
Thanks for sharing this. I too have baby on the brain. (5 weeks to go till little baby K makes his/her grand entrance).
I hope I win. It would be so nice to have! Thanks for the contest and good luck to all who enter
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April 15th, 2009 at 1:20 am
nicolerenae
says:
I would love to try one of these out sometime in the future:)
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April 15th, 2009 at 7:29 am
Chris
says:
I used swaddling all the time with #1 and with #2 coming in late October, hopefully we’ll use it again! I’d love to win the blanket for baby #2.
Chriss last blog post..A Wonderful Easter 2009
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April 15th, 2009 at 8:07 am
Candace
says:
Even after three kids I’m still not a good swaddler!! It does work though- my husband was a pro.
Candaces last blog post..The Final Easter Post
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April 15th, 2009 at 8:31 am
Kristy
says:
I’m expecting my third this fall two. We swaddled both of our girls, but anything to make it easier would be great! They do grow out of the receiving blankets quickly.
Kristys last blog post..Resurrection Day
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April 15th, 2009 at 8:34 am
Jeni
says:
We swaddled our daughter for every nap & bedtime until she was about 7 months – it was the key to getting her to sleep well. And we’ll be swaddling again in about 4 weeks, when Mr. Baby makes his appearance. It’s great for restraining those randomly-flailing newborn limbs!
Jenis last blog post..Easter
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April 15th, 2009 at 8:39 am
Jen
says:
I had always heard of swaddeling, but never realized how hard it was! lol A friend of mine just had a baby, and I was there when they just got the baby home and between mom and dad they had a heck of a time remembering how to do it! I just passed on this post to a friend who is pregnant! Hopefully she keeps the video!
Jen
http://www.afterthealter.com
Jens last blog post..Independent Woman
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 8:43 am
Taiya
says:
Swaddling was THE only way to get my daughter to sleep. If her hands could move, she was awake. Definitely a tip that I share with all of my new mom friends!
Taiyas last blog post..Creativity
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April 15th, 2009 at 8:44 am
Katie
says:
oh! our baby is coming home in a couple weeks! I would LOVE an aden and anais swaddler…I have had my eyes on those!
Katies last blog post..
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April 15th, 2009 at 8:48 am
Cheri
says:
My daughter loved to be swaddled. I was ok at it and my husband always struggled, she would wiggle right out. This blanket would help us both become expert swaddlers.
Cheris last blog post..Tax Day Freebies!
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April 15th, 2009 at 8:49 am
JessW
says:
My son was one of those babies who hated being swaddled. I had to give it up after just a few times; he would scream and kick until he could move again.
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 8:55 am
Tracye
says:
I’ve got baby on the brain… I’m due in 8 days!!! And SERIOUSLY hoping this baby comes early!
My husband was always the expert swaddler, too. I just don’t have the knack for it.
Tracyes last blog post..Update on Cullen
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April 15th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Jen
says:
Oh I would love to try this. My first hated to be confined- but who knows what the next could be like!
Jens last blog post..Things I Love Thursday- KDL
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April 15th, 2009 at 9:03 am
Lisa
says:
No baby for me yet. But this would make an awesome gift for a friend who is pregnant.
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April 15th, 2009 at 9:07 am
Brooke
says:
i have a friend at the hospital today giving birth to her 2nd child.
this would make a great gift.
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April 15th, 2009 at 9:16 am
Denise
Twitter: Fullnest
says:
I’m not goodat swaddling, I’ve thought about trying one of thespecial swaddling blanketswith our next baby.
Denises last blog post..Works for me Wednesday…Collecting favorite kids shows
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 9:22 am
Whitney
says:
My little one wouldn’t have swaddling at all. He had to be stretched out with his hands and arms over his head!
Whitneys last blog post..Storms & a Tornado
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 9:25 am
Amanda
says:
I would love to win! We are huge proponents of swaddling around here and would love some warm winter swaddling blankets!
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April 15th, 2009 at 9:30 am
Lucy
says:
My little guy is due in June and I would love to win this giveaway!!!!
Lucys last blog post..Et tu, Clair Huxtable?
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April 15th, 2009 at 9:37 am
Kelly
says:
Count me in! I am praying for another baby to bless us soon so I too have babies on the brain! This would be awesome!
Kellys last blog post..Happy Easter!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 9:43 am
Alice
says:
Ooh, I’d love one of these blankets! I’ve heard they’re awesome!
Alices last blog post..Preparing for Baby: Essential Items
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 9:44 am
Tara Shields
says:
I have two sisters soon to have their first babies… this would make a great gift for one of them!
Tara Shieldss last blog post..Easter Pictures
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 9:59 am
Heather H
says:
Yippee Skippy! I love a good swaddler. Z is 5.5 months, and she still does best swaddled. Sometimes I wonder if she’ll ever grow out of it, but then I remember that there are not many adults who need to be swaddled to go to sleep, so at some point she WILL grow out of it!
Thanks for the giveaway! These look like fantastic swaddlers!
Heather Hs last blog post..Good Karma Schawarma
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 10:00 am
Lindsey
says:
I’ve heard those are good, but never gotten a chance to try them out.
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 10:02 am
Meshellyn
says:
I would love to win this blanket! Our older daughter needed to be swaddled. It became our routine and in fact didn’t stop until she was around 11 months old… gasp! It worked wonders though when she was having a meltdown and once we’d start to swaddle she became calm almost instantly. At that age she wouldn’t stay in it for long, but long enough to stop crying and relax enough to fall asleep. Our second child is now only a few weeks old and so far swaddling is working out well again!
Meshellyns last blog post..WFMW – Easter Story Cookies
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 10:11 am
Adam Shepherd
says:
You will need to teach me all your parenting tips soon.
See you this weekend
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April 15th, 2009 at 10:13 am
Erin G
says:
your website got me pregnant. I DESERVE a well-swaddled sleeping baby this fall! count me in!
Erin Gs last blog post..Oh Man!
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April 15th, 2009 at 10:27 am
Prissy
says:
Swaddling worked wonders with my baby! Now my sister is pregnant, and it’s her turn!
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April 15th, 2009 at 10:37 am
ashley
says:
I love your blog! I am expecting my first in just 7 and a half weeks!! would love a swaddling blanket.
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April 15th, 2009 at 10:48 am
Emily
says:
We also called it the baby burrito! I’d love to win for my baby due this fall!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 10:49 am
Betsy
says:
My son never would’ve slept if I hadn’t swaddled him. I’m due again in December, so I would LOVE to have some fancier blankets!
Betsys last blog post..Free Reynolds Wrap (rebate)
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 10:54 am
Lana
says:
oh pick me pick me!!
I would probably never buy anything like this, as it’s too expensive…
But I’d sure LOVE to have one! Especially a nice warm winter one for my October Baby
Swaddling is great for one other reason that I don’t think you mentioned – the baby can stay warm at night without the danger of having a loose blanket around her face, which could potentially cause suffocation. If you swaddle her, she’s warm and safe
Lanas last blog post..health department appointment
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April 15th, 2009 at 11:14 am
Tiffany M.
says:
I am due in a couple months with #5. And i am always looking for new ways to help us all be more comfy and happy.
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 11:15 am
Laura K
says:
I would love one of these for my second baby due in August.
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 11:19 am
Jen
says:
I had the same problem with our first! I would wrap him and he would pop right out, my husband would wrap him and he would sleep for an hour.
Jens last blog post..back to reality
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April 15th, 2009 at 11:33 am
Leanne
says:
I loved swaddling my daughter, its like an instant fix. In fact, I’m convinced that anyone who says it doesn’t work, just isn’t doing it right:)
Leannes last blog post..A tip for kids and getting ahead
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 12:18 pm
laura
says:
my daughter was not a huge fan of swaddling. i am due in august with our second and i’m definitely going to try it again! i have heard how effective it can be! i would love to recieve the this blanket! thanks for the hosting the giveaway.
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 12:30 pm
angela
says:
these are great and so useful would love to be included
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April 15th, 2009 at 12:49 pm
Queen of the Click
says:
This is a great giveaway! Those swaddling blankets look so soft.
Queen of the Clicks last blog post..Tax Deadline Day
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 12:59 pm
Jaclyn
says:
I am 8 weeks pregnant today with my first…I’ll take any and ALL the tips I can get! I’ve heard a lot of good things about swaddling, and I plan on having it in my “bag of tricks”.
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 1:25 pm
courtney from mommie blogs
says:
we double swaddled our guy and he was the best sleeper!!! I am all for swaddling…
courtney from mommie blogss last blog post..future blogger!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 3:12 pm
Jinxy
says:
I love Aden & Anais. My baby girl loves to be swaddled, its a very important part of our life.
Jinxys last blog post..Wordless Wednesday 4
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 3:22 pm
Kelly
says:
I have heard SO much about these – maybe I need to just bite the bullet and get one! I’ll try to win one first though.
So far I’ve just used a slightly oversized baby blanket and I can get an ok swaddle with it but not great. There really isn’t enough to tuck in.
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 3:37 pm
Shannon
says:
Swaddling is the only way my girls would sleep. Great giveaway!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
Beth@Not a Bow in Sight
says:
I bought several of these blankets with my last baby and they were worth every penny. You can’t beat the hospital blankets but these come close!
Beth@Not a Bow in Sights last blog post..Works for Me Wednesday: Potty Training
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April 15th, 2009 at 4:48 pm
Stacia
says:
Wow. That looks like a great blanket!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 5:07 pm
Wani
says:
I have over eight friends/family members pregnant right now! That’ll be alot of baby showers! I’d love to win!
Wanis last blog post..I won! I won!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 5:47 pm
Jessica
says:
Sweet! What a fun giveaway. My firstborn HATED being swaddled and my baby would not sleep without it. Boy was there drama at our house when he grew out of “the swaddle.” Thanks for the opportunity to win!!
Jessicas last blog post..Grown-up Peas and Carrots
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 6:35 pm
Cassie
says:
I love swaddling! I would love to win this, I have been debating on ordering one anyway! Thanks for the post!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 7:13 pm
kelly
says:
Swaddling saved my sanity with my son. I was terrible at it unless I used one of those swaddlers with velcro! I have a new baby girl due on May 8 and I’d love to have a new swaddling blanket! Thanks for the post!
kellys last blog post..Blocks and Buses!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 9:29 pm
Playful Professional
says:
I have sooo many friends that are pregnant, and this would make the perfect present for them. Pick me
Playful Professionals last blog post..All Done Playing it Safe
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 10:12 pm
Lindsey
says:
My little guy loved to be swaddled – I’ve got a good friend who is pregnant – this would be a perfect gift!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 10:55 pm
The Messy Mom
says:
If it’s not too late I would like to enter
The Messy Moms last blog post..Happy Tax Day!
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April 15th, 2009 at 11:35 pm
Heather S
says:
That looks fantastic! Thanks!
[Reply]
April 15th, 2009 at 11:40 pm
tarena
says:
This would be perfect for my sister-in-law who is expecting her first and they live in Alaska!
tarenas last blog post..
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April 16th, 2009 at 12:56 am
Krista
says:
I’d love to win and hope I’ll need them next year.
[Reply]
April 16th, 2009 at 12:15 pm
Michelle
says:
I couldnt get the video to finish playing. Sure hope I win that blanket.
Michelles last blog post..WFMW–Trying to Conceive
[Reply]
April 16th, 2009 at 2:02 pm
Kristi_runwatch
says:
My daughter lived in swaddling. Thanks for this great giveaway!
Kristi_runwatchs last blog post..Because everyone needs to know cheesy Bible jokes
[Reply]
April 16th, 2009 at 2:12 pm
Kim Carlile
says:
Sounds great. Thanks.
[Reply]
April 16th, 2009 at 2:37 pm
Laura
says:
Oh Oh pick me!!
My 5-week-old daughter cannot go to sleep at night without swaddling. Except her arms absolutely can’t be pinned down or she’ll get super angry. Off to watch that video!
[Reply]
April 16th, 2009 at 4:17 pm
abba12
says:
It totally worked for Lily and helped her sleep like a baby (what moron invented that phrase)
A moron that doesn’t have children <_<
abba12s last blog post..My Absence, and Sweet Things
[Reply]
April 17th, 2009 at 7:43 pm