Things to remember when swaddling your baby

 Things to remember when swaddling your baby


Some newborn babies have difficulties settling after a feed or wake themselves up with their own reflex movements.  This means that you may end up holding your baby the whole time - and not getting any rest yourself! 

A swaddled baby can settle comfortably and safely within its blanket because it feels warm and enclosed like in the womb.

Swaddling is, in fact, a simple technique that has been used for Centuries by midwives all over the world. 
 
It involves wrapping the baby in a blanket to make sure he or she feels snug and secure.  This helps baby getting used to life outside the womb.

• You have to watch out that you don't overhead your baby!  Dress your baby according to the room temperature and check up on your baby regularly. 

• It's best to use natural breathable clothes that allow air circulation - you don't want to end up irritating your baby's skin through sweat or artificial materials!

• Use a blanket that stretches so you can wrap your baby without him or her having to lie on uncomfortable creases.

• Make sure your baby is fed and clean before swaddling him or her!  Always burp your baby after feeding - regardless whether bottle- or breastfed.  Trapped air won't allow your baby to rest.

• Swaddle your newborn for no more than 1 month whilst he or she is awake.  After that your baby will need to develop his or her own movements which shouldn't be restricted!

• For sleeping it's fine to continue swaddling your baby for several more months but stop when your baby can roll over!

If you're not swaddling your baby in the blanket you can alwasy roll it up and use it as a support for your baby, in the pram or car. 
A lot of toddlers form a strong connection with their 'blankie' so make sure you get one that lasts!

Have a look at our range of organic baby swaddle blankets - with hand-croched designs. 

 

Funky Organic Baby, Toddler & Kids Hats

The Summer seems to be coming to an end here - we've had gails and rain ever since going back to school a week ago!

A good time to launch our new organic cotton hat range with hand-knitted designs...  I've really enjoyed putting together this baby hat collection.  From flittery, flattery hand-knitted butterflies, delicious strawberries to cute snails and ducks.   Check out our collection yourself!

Of course we also have organic hats with different coloured hand-knitted cars for car-obsessed little people... my son would be devastated if I left these out!

The hats have been tried and tested by numerous babies, toddler and preschool kids - and met great enthusiasm!

Good-bye to colds this Autumn?!

What to look out for when buying first baby or toddler shoes

What you need to look out for when buying first baby or toddler shoes

Do you feel, 'Oh, how cute!' when you see little baby shoes in the shop?  Tiny little sportive or glamour versions of your own shoes?  Well, that's because often enough that's what these baby shoes are - tiny versions of adult shoes!

The thing is that your baby has somewhat different needs than you have for your shoes.  Of course everybody's shoes need to fit and be comfortable but whilst adults sometimes choose to compromise on quality you shouldn't compromise on behalf of your baby.  Fancy flip flops or trendy knee-high boots may well look great but are they appropriate to what your child currently needs? 

So this is what you should be thinking about:
1.   'My baby is crawling, standing up, learning to walk and climbing stairs'.  This means that his or her co-ordination and balance need to be developed.

Let your baby go barefoot!  What better way is there to learn?  Or put non-slip socks on.

2.   'We're in the garden a lot and there are a lot of sharp stones around'.  Or 'our floor tiles are too cold to walk on'.  Babies and toddlers have very delicate skin that needs protecting.


Soft sole leather shoes can protect your child's feet whilst still allowing to 'feel' the ground.  They're also non-slip and will therefore hopefully reduce some of the inevitable toddler topples.

3.   'My toddler has chubby feet, I need extra wide shoes!'  That's normal, many toddlers have wide feet to start off with.

You need shoes that fit snugly to the size of your child's feet and are moulded by his or her individual foot.  There should be room to grow a little!
Soft sole leather shoes allow just this whilst providing the support your toddler needs.

4.   'My little cherub sweats a lot.  He or she is so busy with exploring the world!' 

Well, of course baby feet also sweat so you should get shoes that allow the skin to breathe naturally.   Plastic shoes won't allow any air circulation and even many leather shoes are chemically impregnated so that the natural pores get blocked.
(This is the reason we don't impregnate the leather shoes in our collection - to enable an exchange of air with the environment and your child's foot).

5.   'I can't stop my baby from putting everything in his or her mouth'.

That's inevitable! You'll just have to keep an eye on your baby and check there are no beads or tassles on the shoes that can be pulled off!  If you can, it's also worth checking that the shoe's leather hasn't been processed with chrome or other toxic substances. 
(Which is why we've chosen leather for our shoes that is tanned and processed with chrome-free plant extacts only!)