Holiday Gift Guide: Cuddling With My Cutie and Her Swaddle Designs Blanket #Giveaway #Holidaygiftguide2015

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

Brianna, © 2015 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

It's that time of year again, when people start thinking about shopping for the holiday season. I'm famous for having all my shopping completed early, and this year is no exception to that. In the spirit of Christmas, I'm working with a number of companies who have joined in my Holiday Gift Guide 2015... and this is my sixth post!

Prior to having my little bundle of joy, I was contacting a number of companies for baby items to review. Anyone who has children, you know that baby products can surely add up quickly if you're buying most of them.  Even though I had a baby shower, there was still quite a lot of things that my daughter needed. I was fortunate to get to work with some awesome companies, and I truly enjoyed testing out a product from the company Swaddle Designs.



The company was founded in 2002 by Lynette Damir, RN, CEO and Creative Director. The idea for the company first came about, when she visited families with new babies in their homes, and noticed that they struggled trying to swaddle their babies. She noticed that most of them were using a blanket that was too small or thick, and they forgot how to make a secure swaddle. Parents kept asking her to share the secret of the hospital nurses... how to swaddle.

Photo credit: SwaddleDesigns Page

So Lynette used her medical background and education to develop the Ultimate Swaddling Blanket... which is a large square shaped blanket, with swaddling instructions sewn on the edge of the blanket. No need to keep scrap paper or packaging laying around for swaddle instructions, as they are on the tag!

The companies first customer was a hospital that purchased 4,000 blankets. They understood how important swaddling and the educational value of Lynette's blanket. It's important because it helps babies transition from the womb to the world, reduces the incidence of SIDS, helps babies sleep better and longer, and decreases waking up due to the startle of reflex. The blanket is a confidence builder for new parents... I've been using mine now for almost four months now.

Over the past several years, the companies product line has grown significantly. Some items that they offer... zzZipMe Sack™ wearable blanket, stroller blankets, bibs, hooded towels, washcloths, a luxurious home collection with adult size blankets and throws, and a luscious certified organic cotton collection.

I was sent an Ultimate Swaddle in the Lolli Fleur design. It came nicely wrapped in white tissue paper, held closed with a logo sticker. Once I opened that, I was greeted with a simple, yet gorgeous plastic wrapped blanket. The actual design of the blanket shined through the plastic, and there was a cardboard strip that wrapped around and attached to instructions and the description of the product. The blanket is super soft to the touch, breathable, and lightweight. It's made of 100% cotton flannel, and measures 42 x 42 inches (106 x 106 cm).

Brianna, © 2015 aspicyboycatandmyfatass.com

I have been using this blanket for about four months now, and it's received plenty of love. I've washed it numerous times, and it still looks like the first day I got it. Even though this is flannel, it's lightweight enough that you'd be able to use this in the summer. My daughter was born in the middle of summer, and this became one of her favorites. With it's pretty design, excellent quality, and decent pricing... this makes for an amazing gift. Have enough baby blankets already? I find that hard to believe... you can never have too many since they get spit up on often. There's plenty of other items that would make for awesome gifts as well!


The Benefits of Swaddling *Taken from their website.

Photo credit: SwaddleDesigns page

Supine Swaddling Reduces Incidence of SIDS

• There is evidence that swaddled back sleeping infants have lower incidence of SIDS than unswaddled back sleeping infants as stated in the Journal of Pediatrics, December 2002
• When baby sleeps better on his back, parents are less likely to use the unsafe tummy position for sleep
• Swaddling helps sleeping infants remain on their backs

Swaddled Babies Sleep Better ®

• A Washington University study proved infants sleep better when swaddled
• Swaddled babies have fewer awakenings and twice as much REM sleep
• REM sleep is believed to be important for brain development
• When babies sleep better and longer, parents get more sleep, too

Reduces Colic and Fussiness

• Snug swaddling soothes babies by reminding them of being in the womb
• Swaddling helps prevent over stimulation
• Swaddling helps to contain baby's own jerky movements that can startle him or her awake
• Baby is able to self-comfort by sucking on fingers or hand if swaddled with hands near face – the normal infant has been observed post delivery to bring hands to face within 30 minutes
• Infants are inefficient at regulating their own temperature. Swaddling helps to keep infants comfortably warm when parents choose the appropriate swaddle blanket. SwaddleDesigns ® offers cotton flannel Ultimate Swaddle Blankets for cooler to moderate environments and cotton open weave Marquisette Swaddling Blankets for warmer environments

Can Help Make Breastfeeding Easier

• Baby’s extra movements are nicely contained when swaddled which can help baby focus and latch-on. Once baby has learned how to latch on and is nursing, take baby out of swaddle, so baby and mom can be skin to skin and tummy to tummy.
• Tucking baby's hands into the swaddle will keep baby's hands from impairing the latch-on.
• Use the blanket to drape over mom and baby for warmth. Skin to skin is best when learning to breastfeed.

Studies Report on The Benefits of Swaddling

"Infants sleep with fewer awakenings when swaddled, and swaddling may help sleeping infants remain on their backs, say researchers at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis."
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, December 2, 2002

"Now we have scientific evidence to support the age old belief that swaddled infants sleep better than unswaddled infants," Gerard said. "It helps babies stay asleep and so may help parents keep babies sleeping in the safer back position."
Claudia M. Gerard, MD
Washington University School of Medicine

"Epidemiologic studies suggest that swaddled and supine (back) sleeping infants have a significantly lower risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death) than unswaddled supine sleeping infants."
Pediatrics December 2002

"Efficient wrapping is magically soothing to most babies. Wrapping too loose may have the opposite effect. Your aim is to encase the baby completely so that her limbs are gently held in their preferred position and so that, when she moves, she moves as one complete bundle."
Penelope Leach – Your Baby and Child

"If your baby startles easily, his chin quivers a lot, and his arms and legs seem trembly, swaddle your newborn in a blanket, which contains and helps to organize these jerky muscle movements."
William Sears, MD- The Baby Book

"The frequency of startles was decreased with swaddling during QS (Quiet Sleep) and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep, and the frequency of behavioral arousals was decreased with swaddling during QS sleep. The duration of REM sleep almost doubled with swaddling."
Washington University School of Medicine
St. Louis, December 2002

"The long term effect of longer REM sleep duration in swaddled infants is unclear but may be beneficial. It has been suggested that REM sleep directs early brain maturation through control of neural activity."
Pediatrics December 2002

"New babies need twice as much REM (Rapid Eye Movement) sleep as adults. That kind of sleep is thought to play a crucial part in brain development."
Penelope Leach - Your Baby and Child

"Swaddling is the cornerstone of calming" and "It’s time for swaddling to make a comeback."
Harvey Karp, MD – The Happiest Baby On the Block

"Swaddling is soothing to baby because it simulates the feeling of being in the womb. She feels warm, secure and comforted," explained Laura Alexander, a maternal-child health nurse and parent educator at California Pacific Medical Center in San Francisco."
Baby Talk December 1998


Interested in buying something from Swaddle Designs for someone as a gift, or for yourself? Sure you are... click here to grab yours today. Interested in checking out their Facebook and Twitter pages? Of course you do... you never know when you may come across a deal!

Thanks to Swaddle Designs one lucky reader has a chance to win an Ultimate Swaddle Blanket color of choice. To qualify you must be 18+, and be a resident of US/CA.

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I received an item(s), in exchange for my honest opinion, and a review of my experience. I did not receive any other compensation or incentive nor was I required to write a positive review. Individual results or experiences may vary.