Babies

Recently, a friend of mine had a baby. She had a textbook pregnancy and gave birth right on schedule to an almost nine-pound baby. It should have been the happiest day of her life.

But it wasn’t.

At some point during the delivery or before, the baby inhaled meconium and developed an infection. Instead of cuddling her new little one in her arms, the mom and dad were frantically driving to a hospital in a larger city as their new baby was airlifted to their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, or NICU for short.

How do families deal with having their dreams deferred by a side trip to the NICU? How can you prepare for an experience like that? How can you help a friend of family member that is looking at their baby through a plastic crib cover? [continue reading…]

Muslin swaddle blankets have become incredibly popular in the last few years. Aden and Anais swaddles, in particular, are taking the market by storm and have done a fabulous job creating beautiful 100% muslim swaddles.

But what makes muslin baby blankets so popular? And why are more moms choosing to swaddle with muslin, rather than cotton and other blends?

First, what is muslin?

Muslin fabric has been around for centuries. Clothes made with muslin – a lightweight, finely woven breathable cotton fabric – were first worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans. The fabric has its origins in Bangladesh, and was imported to Europe in the 1800s, where its popularity increased. Muslin clothes were especially popular in the summertime and warmer temperatures, because of its breathability.

Muslin is one of the purest and most gentle fabrics available, and it’s only fitting that companies like Aden and Anais use it to make their beautiful muslin swaddling blankets.

Muslin is Breathable

The breathability of muslin has made this fabric very fitting for use with babies. Muslin is made with an open weave; the threads go over and under each other, allowing it to be lightweight and breathable. Muslin prevents your infant from overheating, since his/her body heat can escape through the open weave, while still keeping baby snug and warm. Other swaddling blankets keep baby’s body temperature inside, which can cause baby to get too hot and uncomfortable. (Plus, overheating can be a risk factor for SIDS. So you will want to avoid this!)

It’s very durable and stands the test of time.

The durability of muslin swaddle blankets also make them beloved by parents. Muslin is strong and durable and can withstand many washes. In fact, the muslin fabric itself will get softer the more you wash it. Muslin baby blankets also have a natural stretchiness about them, so you can easily swaddle your baby without immobilizing him or her. Your baby can still move comfortably, without being able to move too much. The snugness of these swaddles help your little one feel cozy and comfy, just like the feeling of still being in the womb.

Muslin swaddling blankets are so lovely, and I have no doubt will remain popular for many years to come. What are your favorite muslin blankets, and why?

Once the excitement of your baby’s presence has set in, and your pregnancy progresses through its beautiful and sometimes challenging phases, there are many important tasks to focus on as you prepare yourself for “go-time.”
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