Stuff Parents Need

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How to Stop Swaddling Your Baby

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How to Stop Swaddling Your Baby

Some of you may recall that Darah has always been a big fan of her swaddle. She simply will not sleep without being swaddled! It has such a calming effect on her that she will sometimes start to fall asleep while we are in the process of swaddling her. She’s been rolling over for a month, though, and this makes having her arms tucked in a blanket too dangerous. So we’ve been on the (bumpy) journey of figuring out how to stop swaddling (well, actually, we’ve just been getting her used to having her arms out…her legs still get swaddled!). I have to tell you, this was REALLY HARD in the very beginning. Darah’s arms would move wildly about, even though she was exhausted. She simply didn’t know what to do with them. They often made their way up to her face, and she’d pull out her pacifier again and again. This, of course, would keep her awake.

One of my amazing readers, Lisa, sent me a product from her new Etsy store, Leyton Smiles, that really helped us out. She sent Darah a CuddleBug lovey. Darah has been loving her lovey since the day it came in the mail. I often hand it over to her when it is time for bed, and it gives her something very interesting to play with. Her hands stay occupied, but away from her face. She usually falls asleep within just a few minutes after getting her lovey. In my eyes, this makes it a miracle blanket!

a lovey is an answer to how to stop swaddling Lisa has really put a lot of thought into the design of her CuddleBug loveys. The square shape (12 x 12) makes it just the right size for a little one to tote around. I’ve even it been able to stick it in my coat pocket from time to time! We’ve found that in addition to it being useful at bed time, Darah also likes to have it on hand when she’s in her car seat.
Lisa points out its usefulness, stating, “This lovey is meant to not only serve as a security and comfort item for little ones, but also to stimulate their senses with numerous ways to learn and explore!” We have found that to be the case, for sure. It keeps Darah’s hands busy whether she’s drifting off to sleep or sitting in her car seat. She also likes to rub the minky side of the blanket against her face. All of the ribbons on the blanket (which are VERY securely sewn in) really delight Darah. She love to pull on them, run her fingers through them, and scratch them to hear the different noises that they make. Notice in the picture that the ribbons are different sizes, colors and materials. This makes it more interesting for the baby!

There are a few other features of this lovey that I’d like to highlight. First, I really like is the loop that is attached to the lovey. We can use this and a toy clip to connect this to her stroller, car seat or even her activity mat. Second, we have washed this lovey a few times, and I’ll admit that I was nervous that the ribbons would fray or that some of the stitching might not hold up. This has NOT been the case. Lisa does an outstanding job of preparing these blankies to be washed again and again! Finally, I just have to say that the overall look of this lovey is sooooo cute. The bright colors are so much fun, and everything coordinates together. I have had a few other parents ask me where they can find something this cute for their little ones.

Buy It!: Leyton Smiles is a shop where you can find these beautiful and unique loveys as well as burp cloths, blankets and other fun items. You can even place a custom order to match your desired color scheme! If you need something special for your little cuddlebug to hold so you can stop swaddling, I highly recommend the CuddleBug Lovey. It is a huge hit at our house. Purchase one today for $16.00.

EDIT: This giveaway is now closed.

Win It!: Lisa wants to give you the chance to win a CuddleBug Lovey right now! Awesome! This contest will run until Wednesday, February 24th at 7:59pm CST when a winner will be selected via random.org. The winner will have 48 hours to respond to my email before a new winner will be selected. Open to residents of the United States. Make sure your email address is either in your comment or in your profile or else I can’t let you know that you won!

How to Enter:

Mandatory Entry: Head over to Leyton Smiles and tell me your favorite item in the shop OR tell me something that you’d like to see sold there!

Additional Entries:
1. Subscribe to my blog via RSS or email
2. Follow me through Google connect (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
3. Put my button on my blog and leave a url where I can find it (2 entries, so leave 2 comments)
4. Subscribe to Leyton Smile’s Blog
5. Become a fan of Leyton Smiles on Facebook
6. Follow Stuff Parents Need on Twitter (leave your TwitterID)
8. Enter any other currently open giveaway on my site (one extra entry per giveaway that you enter)

Disclosure: I received a complimentary product for review purposes. The opinions expressed in this post are strictly my own.

Other current giveaways: awesome children’s cds (ends 2/18) and flower arranging dvd (ends 2/19)

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Comments

  51. Really like the Baby Swaddle Blanket in Black, Pink, and Green Circles!
    Thanks – Sarah Z
    believedreamcourage (at) gmail.com

    Reply

  79. I really love the Ribbon CuddleBug Lovey in Polka Dots and Stripes! The reversable bib and stroller blankets are neat accessories as well!
    sazzyfrazz(at)gmail.com

    Reply

  89. I think the Ribbon CuddleBug Lovey in Fabulous Black and White is cute but i wish the ribbon was blue instead of pink.

    Reply

  106. Amazing shop! I really like the Baby Burp Cloth Set of 2 in Chocolate Brown and Blue Polka Dots 🙂

    bakergurl02[at]yahoo[dot]com

    Reply

  119. I love the "Chenille Baby Bib and 2 Burp Cloth Set in Pink, Orange, Chocolate Brown Dots"
    june_spirit2628 at hotmail dot com

    Reply

  128. I also entered your awesome children's cd giveaway too. 🙂
    Thanks for the extra entry!

    Blessings,
    kristie
    bellasbow-tique(at)live(dot)com

    Reply

  129. I am also following on twitter too!
    My twitter name is bellasbowtique

    Blessings,
    kristie
    bellasbow-tique(at)live(dot)com

    Reply

  132. I am following thru google connect! :0)
    yay entry #1 for it.

    Blessings,
    kristie
    bellasbow-tique(at)live(dot)com

    Reply

  133. What a beautiful shop!Thank you for sharing. Okay my favorite item (but it's hard to choose) is the Minky Dot Stroller Blanket in Chocolate Brown and Pink Floral.

    I know my baby would LOOOOVE it!

    Blessings,
    kristie
    bellasbow-tique(at)live(dot)com

    Reply

  147. leyton smiles facebook fan (michelle barrett)….I was unable to subscribe to her post there is some type of feed error that keeps popping up.

    Reply

  156. I like the Swaddle Blanket in Blue, Pink and Orange Floral!! They are very cute:) Please enter me. Thanks!!

    esterried[at]yahoo[dot]com

    Reply

  160. My favorite item is the Chenille Baby Burp Cloth in Bloom and Grow Bloom Vine.

    naturemanipulated AT hotmail DOT com

    Reply

  175. I love the ribbon cuddlebug lovey! Too cute! I love that fabric and would love to see bibs and burp cloths in that pattern!

    aronsen40 at aol dot com

    Reply

  176. Everything is beautiful! I like the burp clothes but love the Ribbon CuddleBug Lovey in Chocolate Brown and Blue Polka Dot!!

    Reply

  177. I just LOVE everything in the shop.. but this is my favorite!!! The
    Minky Dot Stroller Blanket in Chocolate Brown and Pink Floral– looks so soft and love the pattern!

    Reply

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