What makes a good baby swaddle?

 

Choosing swaddle for yourself or a loved one's baby can be a daunting task! We have looked at the 3 main types of wrap, weighing up the good and the bad points of each. First things first: What is swaddling? Swaddling a baby is simply wrapping them firmly in some sort of cloth to help aide sleep. Babies under 3 months sleep better swaddled, and many prefer to be swaddled much later than this. Swaddling increases the length of sleep, makes it easier to get baby to sleep and can reduce the symptoms of colic. So getting it right may make your sleepy times much easier.  There are so many different styles of swaddle available to choose from and they fall in to three main categories:

A simple flat blanket:

http://www.itibaby.co.nz/

Wings and a pocket for the feet:

http://www.miracleblanket.com/index.htm

or one that zips up the front/acts like an all in one suit:

 

http://www.ergopouch.com.au/swaddles/aircocoon-swaddle.html

There are good and bad points for all of these choices, and you need to think what works best for you and your situation.

A simple flat blanket

With a simple flat blanket there are endless ways to swaddle, a simple Youtube search will bring up many tutorials. These can get confusing and can be difficult to execute quickly and efficiently when they are required. They do need some practise to master - I recommend practising on a baby sized doll until you are confident. See the Iti Baby website for 2 methods that I recommend trying. There are some ways of folding that means their top half can stay swaddled while you change their nappies, other folds will have to be totally re-done each nappy change.
Flat swaddles come in a range of sizes and fabrics. You need a natural fabric with a good diagonal stretch, that is not too thick and can breathe when baby gets hot - ideal fabrics are merino, bamboo and cotton. Square swaddles are much easier to use than rectangle ones. In regards to size - I would not recommend any swaddle under 95cm square for a baby under 12 weeks. After 10-12 weeks babies need a wrap over 120cm square Any swaddle under these sizes are pretty useless to wrap with and you will get frustrated, and baby will escape. A larger swaddle can be used right from birth - making it a great investment. A merino swaddle can then be used as a great cot, TV, or travel blanket. 

Side note: Please do not use polar fleece to swaddle - babies overheat and are at greater risk of SIDS.

A swaddle with wings and feet pouches

These are great for Houdini babies, you strap their arms down and swaddle around them. Many people swear by them. However the aren't so helpful for babies who like their hands across their chest or near their mouths to self soothe. You need to be aware that babies will grow out of these - always check that baby has plenty of foot room. Many of these style swaddles you can change a nappy without removing the whole swaddle. These come in a range of fabrics, but are usually made from either merino or cotton knit - both of which are natural breathable fibres.

All-in-one swaddles

Similar in concept to the above swaddle, but they allow baby to have their hands up by their chest or face depending on the brand. They are nice and quick to put on, with no tricky manoeuvres to master. Again they have a size limit - you may think they are a cheaper option, until you find you need to buy several different sizes. These are very Houdini proof, but some babies find they allow too much movement to settle easily - defeating the purpose of swaddling altogether.

Many babies enjoy being swaddled well into the second half of their first year, some continue to sleep better swaddled over one year of age, so which swaddle you choose may be with you for a while - choose quality. A good quality wrap will last several children. Whichever choice you make, you need to make sure that baby can relax into a hip-healthy position when asleep.

Please remember: It is important that baby's face is kept clear at all times, and that a swaddled baby always sleeps on their back!

 

I hope this make swaddle choosing a little easier.

 

 

Coping with Colic

I have heard a lot of new parents struggling with babies with 'colic' in the last few weeks. I thought it was about time for a colic blog post.

Both my babies had classic colic, and the second one had silent reflux as well. NOT A FUN TIME!

Colic is defined as: Unexplained crying for 3 or more hours a day, for 3 or more days a week, for 3 or more weeks.

What this really means is life is miserable! There is no known cause (though there are A LOT of theories) and there is no real treatment available. Colic typically starts around 3 weeks of age and seems to be gone again by 14 weeks. Leaving the longest 11 weeks of your life in the middle. 

It is often assumed that colicky babies are in some kind of pain, as they are not relieved by the comforts of feeding and holding, often writhe and grunt, may start and stop their screaming very abruptly, and have a shrill cry that resembles the sound they make when they are in pain, they are often said to 'pull up' their legs while crying.

 

One of the compelling reasons why colic is NOT something parents have to put up with or accept is that in a number of cultures, colic is virtually absent.

 

What causes colic?

 

Over the years many explanations have been put forward about the cause of colic. Common explanations have included that colic is caused by wind, by maternal anxiety, by tummy troubles, by a baby’s sensitive temperament, or by a baby’s immature brain.  The ideas of stomach migraines and early food allergies have also been thrown around. While there is an element of truth in all of these explanations, none of them fully explain colicky behaviour, or point to what we can do to calm a colicky baby.

The true cause of colic is what is now often referred to as a missing '4th trimester'. Human babies (as opposed to other animals) are born before their brains are fully developed, and before they are fully ready for the world.

 

Inside the womb, a baby is very tightly bundled, she is constantly fed, she is exposed to 80-90 decibels of ‘white noise’ 24/7, and she constantly swings and jiggles about inside a sea of amniotic fluid. These are the conditions that calm a baby in the womb, and unless we make a concerted effort to replicate these conditions once a baby is born, their absence will be a cause of considerable distress to a newborn.

 

Many other cultures will carry a tightly swaddled baby in a sling carrier the whole day, and co-sleep at night. These babies are breastfed as soon as they become unsettled and are not expected to self-sooth or go with out their mother for the first 3 or more months.

 

Interestingly these cultures also do not experience colic in the way the western culture does.

 

Your baby wants to be held, she will sleep in your arms or on your chest but not in her bed, she will wake as soon as you put her down. It is a survival instinct, they are too young to sleep alone naturally. They need your warmth and comfort, all the tricks in the book are really trying to replicate you, why don't we as a society accept that maybe baby just needs some parent time?

See our Sleep and Settling page or Swaddling page for more details

If you think of the times of day your baby gets upset and try and re-look at your routine at this time of day. It is often tea time - other children are tired and hungry and need their dinner/bath/bedtime routines too, so baby gets handed to someone else or left to their own devices while mum gets dinner ready.

 

Some suggestions:

 

- Pre-prepare dinner/meals when baby is settled

 

- Enlist some help at tea time - Dad, Nana, Aunty, an older sibling or a DVD (shock horror)

 

- Put baby tightly swaddled in a bouncer or pushchair by the dinner table and keep baby moving with your feet while you eat.

 

- Sling or wrap style carriers are great - pop baby in and have two hands free to continue with what you were trying to do.

 

- Use a pacifier to help soothe baby

- Some babies find a deep, warm bath relaxing.

- If baby is unsettled it will do no harm to future sleep patterns if you spend the evening with baby napping on your chest in the lounge while you read or watch TV. In fact you will both be more relaxed and baby will probably get more sleep then trying to settle them alone in their own bed.

 

- If you choose to co-sleep it is recommended that you do so by using a 'side car' style bed - where baby has their own space.

 

http://spiritedmamadotcom.files.wordpress.com/2011/11/bednest.jpg

Warning: Bed Sharing /co-sleeping should not be undertaken by people who smoke, have been drinking alcohol or are under the influence of drugs, these things greatly increase the risk of SIDS (cot death). Do not co-sleep on a couch or lounger chair.

 

I hope this is helpful for those out there struggling. It's not an easy time, but it does pass (like most things with babies). If you are really struggling with your crying baby, put them down somewhere safe and have a break, call for back up if need be. Kia kaha.

 

 

20 Great Baby Shower Gifts that make life Easier

 

 

Baby showers are a lot of fun. It is an exciting time that friends and family get together to celebrate the beautiful new life that will be earth-side soon.
The biggest problem I always have is finding a good gift! Below are some of the newest and ingenious baby and parenting products I have found. The wonders of Internet shopping is you are not limited to what you can buy locally. Many of these products are, however, NZ designed and NZ made.

1) A swaddle or wrap (or two)

 

www.itibaby.co.nz

Get a large sized one, made of all natural fabrics - merino, cotton or bamboo. Get one with stretch, and anything under 95cm square is pretty well useless for swaddling properly, so save mummy some frustration and get her a goody!

2) Contour Burp Cloths

 

http://www.kiwiindustries.com/proddetail.php?prod=B_BPDPTDS

Fashion need not be ruined by streams of baby spew down a new mummy's back, get her one of these contoured burp cloths.

3) Kai Carrier


 

http://www.kaicarrier.co.nz/shop.html#!/~/product/category=0&id=27711960


The innovative multi-use reusable Kiwi food pouch, Kai Carriers are fun and environmentally friendly!

4) Sippy Strap with Suction Cup

 

http://www.etsy.com/listing/102789007/bottle-tether-toy-tether-sippy-strap

 

All kids go through the "throw it all on the floor" stage at one point or another, this will save a mothers floor, her sippy cups and her sanity!

 5) Hold Me Close Nursing Scarf

http://www.etsy.com/nz/listing/130048641/ready-to-ship-hold-me-close-nursing

 

Super fashionable and very handy to have when a new mum is out and about! It will make her confident to feed anywhere.

 

6) The Baby Shusher

 

http://www.babyshusher.com/index.php/products/baby-shusher.html



Safely calms the baby down with a rhythmic “shushing” sound, for the times she just can't go "SHHHH" any more!

7) Gentle Battery-Operated Nail Trimmer

http://www.hipbabygear.com/Buzz-B-battery-operated-nail-trimmer-by-ZoLi_p_1702.html

 It safely trims nails with a gentle yet effective oscillating action. The cushioned pads are specially designed for baby's nails so it won't harm surrounding skin.


8) A Sibling Ride-a-Long Board

 

http://www.hipbabygear.com/Stokke-Xplory-Rider-Sibling-Board_p_1118.html

This handy gadget attaches to the axle of your pushchair and allows an older kid to jump on for a ride when their legs inevitably get tired.

9) On-the-Go Changing Mat

 

http://www.quirky.com/products/141-toob-baby-changing-station/timeline

Handy and portable for when you are out and about, protecting the baby from the floor, and the floor from baby!

10) The Safe Sippy

 

http://www.mumiandbubi.co.nz/safesippy2.htm

Invented by a kiwi mum, the BEST drink bottle we have ever bought! You can even buy spare parts.

11) Solids starter Kit

 

http://www.mumiandbubi.co.nz/solidsstarterkit.htm

Help the mum-to-be save hundreds of dollars by making her own baby food!

12)The Travelling Crib

 

http://travelheroes.no/b2c_no/Servlet?page=11&parent=sD117&sort=10&anr=RO855000

Sheer genius! Unfortunately its European, so shipping will be extravagant!

13) Good Quality bibs

 

http://www.littlekiwis.co.nz/#!bibs/c1gim

Good quality bibs will last and last. They need to be large, thick and well constructed!

14) Reusable breast pads

 

http://www.breastmates.co.nz/shop-management/products/h/breastmates-breast-pads-(multipack).aspx?cat=8900

Whether mum to be plans to breastfeed or not, these will come in very handy for those leaky days.

15) Clip-on Cami

 

http://www.breastmates.co.nz/shop-management/products/f/clip-on-cami-(colours).aspx?cat=8925

Turn any maternity bra into a feeding singlet. Great idea!

16) A ring sling or moby carrier

 

http://kiwibabyshop.com/products/easycare-wrap-conversion-ring-sling-with-sbp-shoulder

For the unsettled baby nothing works better than a sling or wrap carrier! Buy quality and it will last for many children.

17) Felted Soap

http://www.itibaby.co.nz/#!felted-soap/c1fdg

What better gift is there than an infant soap and cloth all in one!

18) Baby Kauri Teething Peg

 

http://www.cleverbastards.co.nz/the-store/kids/baby-kauri-teething-peg/36940

A NZ made keepsake handcrafted & a comfort for teething times to soothe sore gums.

19) A Personal Assistant kit

http://www.littleandsorted.co.nz/our-kits/

A handy little kit of everything that you can keep in your purse or car for those moments you wish you had a ....


20) An Iti Baby Giftbox

 

www.itibaby.co.nz

For those times you really can't decide, Iti Baby has you covered - quality products, great price and beautifully gift wrapped.

 

 

 

What do you REALLY need for a new baby?

Having children is expensive, there is no denying it. However it doesn't need to be nearly as expensive as the retail outlets would like you to think. Working out what you really need, what is an useful extra and what will really sit in the drawer probably untouched is a bit of a guessing game, until you have been there.

The basics: A baby needs some way to stay warm, some way to be fed, some where to poop, some where to sleep and a parent who loves it. That's the bare basics. Going by this, at a pinch, you could get by with a warm swaddle (or two), some nappies, some boobs and a loving parent figure who is happy to share their bed.

There are a few more things that would really be helpful, almost essential to modern life with a baby however.

Clothing:
Don't go crazy buying new born clothes! Babies don't fit them for long (some never do) and people will give you lots of newborn outfits at a baby shower/ once baby is born. On the other hand, do buy a couple of outfits just in case, we only had 2 and had to venture out on a shopping trip on the way home from hospital to get two more. Ask around - you will be surprised how many people are willing to lend you their newborn things, they are in them such a short time, and with careful washing they stay new looking for a lot of wears!

Bodysuits: (short or long sleeved) are useful as they avoid the clothes all riding up every time you hold baby by their torso, they act as the singlet layer when its cooler and as a t-shirt when its hot. Body suits with envelope necks that stretch over the head and clip together between the legs are the easiest to put on and off - important when dealing with poo-splosions, as you can also remove them down over the bottom. Get 4 or 5 

Growsuits: Can be worn day or night for the first while. Choose growsuits with press studs that go all the way down the inside of the legs for ease of nappy changing. Get 4 or 5

Hats: Select a hat that can be thrown into the wash and that has a brim that's big enough to shade baby from the sun. Choose a beanie that doesn't have a cuff as these can unroll unexpectedly and cover your baby's eyes and face, which can pose a safety threat. Ones with ties stay on much better than those without. Get one warm hat and one sunhat.

Warm things: Jackets, jumpers, cardigans. Select outer wear that can comfortably fit another layer or two underneath so you can easily keep baby warm. Find a local Nana and see if they will knit you something, or look at the hospice shops, they often stock handmade nana-cardys.

Socks: Consider choosing one colour and sticking to it for each size. You will lose many socks and being able to pair up odd socks will save you having to buy more.

Bibs: paying for quality really does pay off with bibs. When it comes to eating solids I reccomend getting some sleevey-bibs (ie ones with sleeves). They save a lot of washing. Again the good quality ones last much longer than the cheaper quality ones.

Swaddles: My babies mostly lived in a nappy, bodysuit and a swaddle the first 2 months, of course they were given plenty of not-wrapped-up-tight time, but they preferred to be snuggled in. Buy a good quality, large swaddle. There are all sorts of fancy ones on the market, but I prefer a simple flat one that will work as a cot blanket later on. Merino is amazing as you can use it in the hot and the cold weather.

Bathtime:
A baby bath is handy, but a kitchen sink is much easier to fill and empty. Some babies go straight to showering with mum or dad. Which ever you choose always keep your grip hand soap-free, those bubbas get SLIPPERY!

Babies don't really get dirty, and I am all for natural things, so don't go crazy washing baby with harsh soap. Warm water removes most things, and a very mild bar soap in small amounts will wash anything that needs more, including their hair. Babies with eczema should avoid anything with Sodium Laural sulphate as it is very harsh on their skin.

Massage oil: Again go for something natural, and some thing as simple as olive oil would work. Iti Baby makes a nourishing natural baby massage oil, which is also available fragrance free on request.

Towels/Cloths: You can buy specific baby cloths and towels, but the ones you already have at home will work just fine!

Change Time:
It is well worth doing the maths on buying a good set of cloth nappies. They do up with either Velcro or domes and are very easy to use and to wash. They no longer need soaking and just wash in a normal wash. We worked out for us buying 15 reusable nappies saved us $1000 in disposables in the first year alone. Once you have a second baby the savings get crazy!

Bottom Cream: Again natural is the way to go, something as simple as coconut oil can act as a barrier, moisturiser and anti fungal/antibacterial all in one. For more intense barrier/moisturising try Iti Baby Bee Balm or Bottom Cream. The Bee Balm also doubles as a dribble barrier and great on eczema prone creases.

Change Table: These are helpful but by no means essential. A simple blanket on the floor will do just fine, once baby starts rolling (as young as 10weeks) change tables are no longer safe to use.

Sleep:
Bed sharing, when done properly, is the cheapest safe option for a sleep space. Babies only use a bassinet for about 12 weeks, so don't spend alot on buying one. Ask around you may well be able to borrow one. The other option is to go straight into a cot. Buy the best quality one you can afford and it will last all your kids and re-sell well too, or look for a good condition one second hand. If buying second hand, check that it meets the Australian or NZ safety standards and that all the bits that are supposed to move do so and those that aren't, don't.

Bedding: Don't go crazy buying bassinet bedding, a pillow case makes a great fitted sheet, and cot blankets folded in half will work well if they are needed. If baby is swaddled they won't need much by way of blankets anyway so you are better off spending the money getting a good couple of swaddles.

Out and about:
Baby car seat/capsule: Legislation concerning car seats and infant restraints have changed in recent years so ensure the car seat you plan on using complies to current legislation. If you are planning on having more than one baby it is often cheaper to buy a capsule then hire it more than once.

Pram/stroller Try to road-test friend's prams before purchasing your own. This can be one of the most expensive baby purchases you'll make and finding a pram that serves your purposes is important. Despite the style you like, make sure it is easy to open and close, and preferably fits in the boot of your car with ease.
 Rain cover for the pram Some prams have their own rain covers which can be bought separately, but you can buy universal rain covers that are designed to fit various styles of pram and these are generally cheaper than the branded version.

Sling/pouch carriers: Road-test slings and pouches with your baby in place before you purchase - you need to find one that evenly distributes baby's weight, is comfortable and is the right size for you so you don't hurt your back. I bought a Moby wrap second hand quite cheaply and found it amazing for getting out and about without needing a pushchair for the first 6 months.

Nappy-bag: Choose a bag that is big enough to house the essentials but not so big you could move house in it. A "good" nappy bag should have internal compartments, a 'wet area' and a fold able change mat. However a computer laptop bag with pockets and a folded flat cloth nappy works just fine and costs about 1/3 the price.

So there you go. I'm quite sure you will end up with much more than this, but this is the basics that you would need to survive the first 6 months. Anything you need to buy look out for lay by options, big sales and second hand goods. Luckily most of us get at least 7 months warning that baby is on its way, plenty of time to look around for bargains and pay things off if need be.

Is there anything you wouldn't be without? Feel free to comment below!

Swaddling your baby - are you doing it right?

Prince George - Image from Getty

When the world met baby Prince George there began a spark of controversy about the safety of swaddling in the UK papers. There were some that suggested swaddling can cause SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) and others that said it causes hip dysplasia (clickey hips). What can you do to minimise these risks? Are they really risks at all?

Choose your blankets wisely

Overheating is known to contribute to SIDS, babies have very poor temperature control and rely on us to monitor them closely. According to the World Health Organisation a room to sleep in should be between 18-20 degrees Celsius. If you need a heater in the baby's room to keep it at this temperature, choose a safe one with a thermostat and one that will not cause a fire if knocked down - I know it sounds simple, but you would be amazed what silly things we do in a sleep deprived state. If baby's room is heated by heat pump, either directly or indirectly, please have it set on 18-20 and leave it on this, the room will warm up, albeit slowly, there has been at least one tragic incident where a baby died from being left sleeping in a room with a heat pump set to 30 degrees. In a room that is 18-20 degrees you will find a baby probably doesn't really need much in way of blankets if they are swaddled and wearing clothing as well (probably you won't need much if you are sleeping in the same room either).

For baby bedding, clothing and swaddles choose natural, breathable fibres - cotton, bamboo, wool and merino are great choices. Merino and bamboo in particular are amazing at absorbing moisture and wicking it away from the baby while maintaining a good temperature. Natural fibres will be warm in the cooler temperatures but stay cool if baby gets hot.

What you should avoid

Synthetic materials like polar fleece make terrible swaddles, they do not breathe and baby is at real risk of overheating. Yes they are cheap, yes they are everywhere, just please don't use them for swaddles! Keep them for lying on on the lounge floor and as knee blankets in the pushchair.

If baby is swaddled please do not put them in under your bed blankets as well, keep them on top of the blankets and keep duvets well away from their face. In their own bed a swaddled baby often needs nothing else, or just a light additional blanket may be all that is required. Ensure any blankets are tucked in well at the bottom of the bed and that baby can't slip under them, or flick anything up on to their face.

It is a good idea to check baby's temperature while they sleep - pop two fingers down the back of baby's neck and check for warmth, if it is hot and clammy remove some blankets or clothing, if it is cool take measures to warm baby up. Baby hands, feet and noses are poor temperature gauges. For peace of mind I always used to do a sneaky check of their neck as I was heading to bed, and adjust blankets are required.

Sleep Baby on their Back

A swaddled baby cannot move themselves well enough to keep their airways clear if they are placed on their tummy. Although a swaddled baby will find it very difficult to roll from their back to their stomach, but it is possible. Because of this it is suggested that once a baby can roll, you should leave one or both arms out of the swaddle just in case they do roll then they can lift their heads. In my experience a baby with its arms out are actually more likely to roll, but nothing is fool proof, so go with what you think is best for your situation.

Many parents worry about baby choking if they are lying on their back rather than on their side or tummy. It is reassuring to know that when a baby (or adult for that matter) is lying on their back, their windpipe actually sits above the oesophagus (food pipe). This means that if baby vomits it will be more likely to go straight back down into their stomach and avoid the windpipe if they are on their backs. Babies also have very acute sensors on their larynx (back of throat), as soon as anything is detected on these sensors the baby epiglottis (flappy valve thing) closes the route to the lungs, leaving the dribble/spew/other moisture to flow back to the belly where it belongs.

Careful wrapping/swaddling technique

Babies hips are soft, and still forming at birth and beyond. To ensure they form properly the muscles of the pelvis naturally flex a baby's legs and rotate the knees outwards somewhat. This ensures the ball of the hip joint stay firmly in the socket of the pelvis as it continues to form.

Pulling baby's legs down straight and keeping them there, especially for long periods, can cause them to slip out of the socket and form poorly. It is crucial that when you wrap or swaddle a baby that you allow enough room in the swaddle for them to both straighten their legs in a stretch and have it loose enough that their legs can sit naturally in a bent and relaxed outward direction - see below:

Source

 In practicality it means that all the tucking in and wrapping firmly needs to be above the hips. Swaddling is most effective when it stops baby's arms from flicking when they startle and gives a firm pressure on their belly - both of which can be done while allowing baby to have a natural hip position.

Can swaddling be dangerous? When it is done poorly, with inappropriate blankets; in a hot and stuffy bedroom; with loose bedding or swaddles near a baby's face or when a swaddle is overly restrictive on leg movement; the answer is yes, it can be dangerous. However when it is done properly, swaddling is truly a wonderful skill for parents to have in their tool box and despite what some may say, I believe it to have saved my sleep many many times.