{SwaddleDesigns} Review & GIVEAWAY!

Ever since having my firstborn, I've always been a fan of SwaddleDesigns. While being pregnant that initial time, I wasn't really familiar with the concept of swaddling babies, but having received a swaddling blanket as a baby shower gift, and later using it on our newborn, I was instantly a fan of its "magical powers"!

SwaddleDesigns was founded by Lynette Damir, a registered nurse who knows that "Swaddled Babies Sleep Better." Their Ultimate Receiving Blanket is what initiated the business, in hopes of babies {and thereby, parents} sleeping better through the night {Amen to that!} so that you can actually function the next day, right?

We tested out the {Organic} Ultimate Receiving Blanket on our newborn girl and loved it! Of course, I wasn't expecting otherwise, since I'd already used one with our first child. I particularly love the soft yet modern & simple designs of SwaddleDesigns {most feature lots of circles and geometric shapes in soft pink, blue, or green with white or chocolate brown, although there are a few other choices & designs, including their "kiwi paisley," of which I'm a huge fan!}, and especially appreciate that they are crafted out of organic cotton preshrunk flannel {although they do have other choices that are not organic}. Another adorable feature is their ornate {yet, again, simple} trim around the blanket's edges - love it! But what's best is that the swaddling instructions are sewn right onto the blanket, meaning you {and Grandma and Daddy and the babysitter...} can easily get baby swaddled and do so quickly and without much fuss or frustration. And because of its generous size, you don't have to be a pro to get this thing on and most importantly, to stay on. Furthermore, their blankets are a generous 42"x42" blanket, made in the USA and the proud recipient of the iParenting Media Award for Best Products.

And I am happy to report that our baby girl slept well in the Ultimate Receiving Blanket and was oh-so-cute in it {you KNOW that counts for something...okay, a lot!}. Additionally, the blanket washes up well; it doesn't come out of the dryer as "smooth" as when you first receive it, but it does soften and get cozier. As it's a cotton flannel and so large, I wouldn't recommend it for hot weather, but for cooler nights, it's perfect - really.


And here are some swaddling tips, provided by SwaddleDesigns, that medical experts recommend:

*Maintain room temperature of around 68 degrees fehrenheit or 20 degrees celsius. *Remove a layer of clothing if your baby's neck, back or stomach is sweaty or damp. *Do not overdress your baby for sleep; this blanket and a diaper may be sufficient. *Always remember to play your baby on back to sleep. *Never leave baby unattended with loose blanket. *Consult your doctor with any questions or concerns.

Beyond their Ultimate Receiving Blanket, SwaddleDesigns also makes a multitude of practical items for baby, including washcloths, hooded towels, burpies, sleep sacks and lovies, amongst others. SwaddleDesigns was also kind enough to send us one of their Organic Baby Lovies, made of organic cotton flannel and eco-fleece. The blanket includes their signature mod circle designed fabric on the whole back side and front edges and a center square of their fluffy ivory fleece on the front side. It's a great size for babies to be able to hold onto themselves, and you can tote it everywhere due to its convenient small size.

I'm a huge fan of lovies, since I believe every child feels more secure and can self-soothe when they can bring whatever item they've learned to love with them. Furthermore, Mom can keep the blanket up to her own skin so that it has her scent on it, which only further comforts baby when holding it.

BUY IT! Visit SwaddleDesigns to purchase your own Ultimate Receiving Blanket or any number of their other fabulous products I already mentioned! Receive 10% off your order with Promo Code: MadeinUSA.

WIN IT! One lucky Haute Tot and Baby Couture reader is going to win one of their Ultimate Receiving Blankets, valued at $32, in their color of choice! {Open to US & Canadian residents only).

Mandatory Entry!

In order to enter, you must be {or become} a public HTBC blog follower (1 entry). Then simply visit SwaddleDesigns and come back to tell me some benefit you learned about swaddling (1 entry) for your chance to win! Be sure to leave your email address in the entry so that I have a way to contact the winner! If there is NO EMAIL left, another winner will be drawn. Winner will be chosen via random.org and notified via email. Winner will have 48 hours to claim prize or another winner will be chosen. Entrants can enter through May 2nd. Winner to be chosen May 3rd, 2010.

Additional Entries!

Once you've completed the mandatory entry, do any of the following for more chances to win! {Again, please be sure to leave your email address in each entry!}

*Subscribe to our blog (2 entries possible; via google - 1 entry, via email feedburner - 1 entry (must be activated to count as entry)).

*Include our blog in your blog roll and include URL (1 entry).

*Become a fan of Adam's Blankie on Facebook (1 entry).

*Become a fan of Swaddle Designs on Facebook and receive info on promos, new collections and discounts! (1 entry).

*Follow SwaddleDesigns on twitter (1 entry).

*Follow Adam's Blankie on twitter AND tweet about this giveaway with the following tweet (copy and paste), (1 entry - can be done daily):
"Win a SwaddleDesigns Receiving Blanket @adamsblankie! Enter at www.hautetotandbabycouture.blogspot.com!"
(Be sure to leave a link to your tweet/s!).

*Post our blog buttons on your blog and include link to blog. (6 entries possible - 3 for Adam's Blankie Etsy shop button and 3 for Haute Tot Couture blog button).

*Blog about this giveaway and include the link to your post (3 entries).

*Enter any of our other giveaways for one entry each (up to 3 entries possible) and leave a comment letting me know which giveaway/s you entered.

Please note, I was not paid to do this review.
Opinions are strictly my own, and no one or nothing else has influenced me in my review.

Have a product you'd like reviewed?
Contact me at adamsblankie@gmail.com
www.adamsblankie.etsy.com
www.gourmetplay.etsy.com