Swaddle time

Swaddling is an ancient art. In fact, as a friend reminded me, back in Tudor times, babies were laid on a board, swaddled and hung on the wall – occasionally tempting, when Minnie demands to be held and I can’t get anything done…

But the swaddle blankets we’ve been using have been invaluable, and something I’d defintely make room for in my luggage. It’s always calmed her as she seems to like the feeling of being wrapped up, which supposedly reminds babies of being in the womb.

We tried swapping to one of the baby sleeping bags recently only for Minnie repeatedly to startle herself awake, so she’s back in the swaddle wrap again for the time being.

Inevitably, she had a choice of a mix of hand-me-downs and one lovely new product to review, from the Gro Company, which does several swaddle blankets despite being better known for the Gro-bag sleeping bags. We had the Woodland Friend Gro-swaddle, £12.50, which is shaped to wrap around your baby.

Designed for birth to three months, or a maximum of 14lbs, there’s no poppers, Velcro or ties, which does mean that Minnie, who’s something of an escapologist, quickly worked her mini Houdini magic and would manage to work a limb or two free during the night. There’s enough fabric to wrap around but only just it seems, as she’d consistently wriggle out – a shame, as the cotton jersey is lovely and soft.

We were also given another Gro-swaddle by a friend, which was similar but slightly larger, although it seems all the versions currently available are the size of our new one.

So in the end, our go-to swaddle was a Swaddle-Me blanket by Summer Infant (Mothercare has one for £9.99 – or a set of three for £24.99) which does have Velcro wraps. It’s very straightforward to use, and while Minnie has managed to get a hand out now and then, it seems to be keeping her more happily wrapped up. For now, at least.

Image courtesy of the Gro Store