Guest blog post: 5 Tips to Safely Swaddle Baby

Our BabyBundle, which is geared towards a newborn baby, and includes curated products just for him/her, includes the Woombie swaddle, amongst the other items! 

We especially love the Summer and Air swaddles we have in stock, perfect for the heat this time of year!

 
We are so excited to have teamed up with the inventor of the Woombie, Karen Barski’s, for this post on tips for swaddling, included below!

Daycares around the country have started to ban swaddling since 2011.  Is swaddling really dangerous?  We think not so long as you are aware of the risks and follow five safety tips listed below to ensure baby is safely swaddled.

Swaddling is an age old practice that helps babies to sleep longer and sounder. When done properly, swaddling can be the single most important sleep tool a mother or daycare provider can master.

Some key benefits to Swaddling:

• Swaddling helps to mimic touch, which is so important for your baby.
• It also recreates the confinement felt in the womb easing the transition from "womb to world."  
• Swaddling prevents the startle reflex (arm jumping) so baby sleeps longer without intermittent wake-ups from having free arms.  
• Swaddling also helps to maintain the "back is best" sleep position.
• The most important benefit is a good sleep pattern for mom and baby.

Known risks with traditional swaddle blankets:

• Traditional swaddle blankets, when wrapped too tightly, can reduce necessary movement in the hips causing hip dysplasia.  
• Strong babies can easily break out of traditional swaddling blankets which unravel and cover baby's face (potential suffocation risk)
• Blankets too thick or layered can cause overheating, which can be linked to SIDS.
• Swaddling with a blanket is not an easy technique to master; parents and caretakers can swaddle baby incorrectly (too tight for example).         

The good news is in today's market, there are many great options! For example, the Woombie baby swaddle is a great alternative and is the original peanut-shaped swaddle that requires no wrapping and has new technology to allow excess heat to escape (prevents overheating).

Five safe swaddling tips for parents and caretakers:

1. Always place your swaddled baby on his/her back to sleep.
2. Use a swaddle where baby can have good hip range of motion- this will prevent hip issues.
3. Use a swaddle that will not unravel - this will prevent blankets from ending up covering baby's face.
4. Once baby is actively rolling, consult with your Pediatrician for next steps. Also, try an arms-free swaddle to help the transition such as the Convertible Woombie.
5. Don't over-swaddle your baby or double swaddle - be mindful that overheating baby is linked to SIDS.

*This is a guest blog post written by Karen Barski, BSN, RN, Mother of five, Certified Infant Care Specialist & Instructor, & Inventor of the Woombie Baby Swaddle

About Karen:

Karen has been an RN for 18 years, and has worked in many different nursing roles. As a Certified Infant Care Specialist, Karen counsels thousands of families yearly on a multitude of issues relating to pregnancy and infancy. Also, as a mother of five, she has invaluable experience and tips to share.

Since 2007, Karen’s company, KB Designs, has invented a line of signature baby swaddle products that have helped parents easily transition their new babies from womb to home. There are multiple designs and sizes so that babies can enjoy the comfort and security of the Woombie up until the time they begin to roll. The newest design called the Woombie Air has special features to eliminate risks explained above.
Features of the Woombie that eliminate multiple swaddling risks:

• 4-way stretchy fabric cocoons baby but allows for hip movement.
• The Woombie will not unravel like traditional swaddle blankets. Prevents issues such as startling, face scratching, overheating and dangerous loose unraveled blankets from covering baby's face.
• Light and breathable -- new Woombie Air technology allows for excess body heat to escape creating the first ventilated swaddle.
• Easy for mom to use: just put baby in and zip (2-way zipper for easy diaper changes); moms who swaddle their babies are less likely to put their babies to sleep on their stomachs when exhausted.

Each product has been created and designed by Karen because of a need she identified in her life with her five children. With convenience, safety, and fashion in mind, KB Designs has helped over a half million babies…and counting!

Read Karen's story on how she invented the Woombie in the middle of the night on her grandmother's sewing machine which turned into a million dollar mommy business. Read Woombie Baby Swaddle Story.

We are also linking up with Kristin from "Busy Bee!"