When I first heard of muslin swaddling blankets, my children were already 2 and 5. And this was just last week. It hurt me to say, “Back when I had babies… ” But I did.
Well, anyhow, apparently muslin is they way to go these days. When Heather asked our readers via Twitter if they used muslin swaddlers, there was a significant show of hands for Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddle Wraps.
Funny, though, that when I had Scarlett, and had never heard of muslin, Heather made me a fake Moby Wrap, or as we called it, a Faux-by Wrap out of a colorful muslin piece of fabric.
I’m just bringing it to your attention because if you are a lover of the muslin swaddler, you might try making yourself a front carrier. You’ll be able to swaddle your baby to your chest basically, and reduce crying, which I believe is worth the time you’ll spend trying to figure out how the heck to tie yourself and the babe up in a long piece of fabric.
(Go to your crunchiest, fanciest baby store and ask for help. Then, practice, my friend. It’s worth it.)
Here I am back then, still wearing maternity clothes of course, about to take a walk with my homemade front carrier. Thanks, Heather!
Oh man. I love my A&A wraps SO MUCH. Seriously, even now that my daughter is almost ten months old and has hated being swaddled for some time now, I use them CONSTANTLY. They’re much bigger than most other baby blankets, so they’re great to use as a shade when we use her jogging stroller, great to cover her up with when it’s drizzling outside, and great to spread out on the ground as an impromptu picnic blanket at snack time!
I’ve been toying with the idea of a “faux-by” for a while, though, as she loves to be worn front-facing, but she’s outgrown her sling and all the baby bjorn-type things give me a backache (she weighs over 20 pounds now). How is your faux-by at distributing weight?
Chris, I love the idea of a baby wrap at any age, but I think a heavy 10-pounder might do better in an Ergo and peeping over your back.
I just found out I’m pregnant with my second baby and I can’t wait to try making my own wraps! Woo hoo! It will be perfect for the fall, when the baby is due.
Congrats, Elizabeth! I’m so excited for you.
I just got some of the Aden and Anais blankets as a gift! They are awesome and big!
these are the best blankets. I bought mine after seeing a mom nurse her baby with ease using one, they are large and thin so if you a tie a knot in one corner you can pop it under your bra strap and taa daa! the blanket goes no where baby eats in private and mom does not turn into a hot pocket!
Agree – A+A muslin blankets make swaddling a piece of cake. They’re so multifunctional – love them!
Oooh… I love the Aden and Anais blankets! So many uses for them, and they are so soft. They’re a must-have for parents!
Can someone measure there Aden and Anais? I know that sounds silly but I want to make some of my own but have never seen one in person. Thank you!
the website says they’re 47″x47″
I’ve looked everywhere for the soft muslin fabric used in these blankets so that i can make my own and can’t seem to find it anywhere. Where did you get the materials for your fauxby?
Anna, I second the question!
I love my A&A’s, but I’d love to avoid the price tag in the future. And I love giving handmade for gifts. I’ve been looking all over for similar fabric, but all the muslin I have found is completely different! Help!
I read this on another someone’s comment on another one of their posts. They said they had heard it was identical quality to the A&A blankets. http://www.dharmatrading.com/html/eng/3479-AA.shtml
Its only in plain white. I would love to find another source if others know. (Although I guess I could color the fabric on these.
Muslin in the UK and Australia (A&A is Australian) is more like a gauze or cheese cloth. I would look more in these types of fabric.
[...] or not square. Uggh! For a true Harvey-Karp-style swaddle, you need a biggish piece of flannel or muslin fabric cut in a [...]