Baby And Infant Blankets

Every new baby needs to have his/her baby blanket. There are various options available since the blankets come in various colors, prices, brands, textures and sizes. You can even choose baby blankets that are crocheted in some cases. These are used in most cases to cover the baby while sleeping but it is also possible to use them as throws, wraps or mats to be able to wrap the newborn.

One thing that you may not know is that the baby usually becomes attached to the blankets. 

According to The Stripy Company, the baby’s blanket has to be carefully chosen because of this main reason. Every single parent needs to choose carefully so the blanket has to be practical, really easy to wash, last a long time and be of a very high quality. Make sure that you always conduct a very good research before you will buy your baby blanket instead of just purchasing the first cheap one you find.

Diversity Is Huge

If you take a look at stores that are specialized in baby products, you will instantly notice a huge diversity. There are baby blankets that have feet. Also, we have various ways to attach the blanket to the baby when sleeping. The one with feet is perfect for a baby that you take with you to different destinations.

We also have swaddling baby blankets that can calm a fussy baby, help him to sleep faster. Sleep is longer and there is a reduced incident of colic. Even breastfeeding is aided. Babies are not going to accidentally scratch their faces and these are just some of the advantages of these baby blankets.

The baby blankets available on the market at the moment are built in order to help the newborns to not have risks associated with sleeping on their belies. That is a necessity since babies need to sleep on the side or on the back.

Photo credit: http://www.thestripycompany.co.uk/

Swaddling Blankets

Special attention needs to be put on swaddling blankets because of the fact mentioned above. A baby that sleeps on his back is much less susceptible to SIDS risk. SIDS stands for sudden infant death and is quite a problem as it can appear when babies sleep in an inappropriate position. For many babies night sleep is quite difficult so the purchase of such a baby blanket is a really good idea.

Personalized Baby Blankets

The popularity of personalized baby blankets is growing at the moment and it is really easy to understand why since they are 100% unique and will make a statement about the feelings of the giver. You need to consider this option in the event you want to offer a baby gift to an expecting couple. The heirloom will be much more appreciated, even if the personalization just means adding the name of the baby. Nowadays you can personalize the blankets in many different ways so keep your eyes open for that.

As you can see, baby blankets are definitely interesting and have to be considered. They are of great help and will also look great.

Ciinolin Baby Swaddle Review and Giveaway!

I grew up using gauze diapers and so is my daughter. I also used to swaddle my daughter with light, gauzy texture so she would be comfortable and secured without feeling too cold or warm. I know the feeling and texture of using soft materials that won't scratch your skin nor leave you too hot because air couldn't circulate. That's not the case in Ciinolin's Swaddles.

Why do we swaddle anyway?

Swaddling is a time honoured practice that helps soothe and calm babies. It provides them with a greater sense of security. Swaddling mimics the comforting feeling of being in the mother's womb. It is method to ease the transition of the babies into this world after they are born.

Why choose Ciinolin for your swaddles?

Ciinolin Swaddles are made from 70% rayon made from natural bamboo fibres and 30% cotton. That's why each of the swaddle is so soft and doesn't hurt your skin when you rub it. So, if I feel so comforted with Ciinolin's soft, light and airy swaddles, you can be sure that your baby will too.

Who is Ciinolin?

Ciinolin is the company behind these beautiful swaddles. It was founded under the belief that all things grow better with love, care and diligence. All their products support giving.  For every purchase you make, Ciinolin is committed to give away a fixed portion of income gained from the products sold. The portion of the profit goes to the lesser fortunate children and families around the world.  To know more about their endeavours, please visit this site: Ciinolin's Giving With Every Purchase


I truly believe this swaddle is great for mothers and their babies. I like the materials used and how soft they are. I also felt warmth and comforted when I tried it (of course, I did not swaddle myself. That will be too funny!) as a mini blanket during my afternoon weekend nap. I felt so secured. I probably even slept like a baby.  So, if you want to have this swaddles for your infant or a gift to a soon-to-be-mom or family members and friends who have recently given birth, this will be a great present. Check their products here: Ciinolin - Where to buy?

GIVEAWAY FROM THE SPONSOR!!!

Our generous sponsor, Ciinolin, would like to giveaway 3 prizes to 3 lucky winners. The rules are pretty simple and so easy to follow but they are all mandatory. Just follow the entry required in the form below and you're good!

This giveaway is open to all US, Malaysia and Singapore residents.

This giveaway will be from 6 to 18 July, 2014. 

Good luck!

Prizes!

1 winner of  1 set of Cirebon Swaddles worth $45

1 winner of 1 Set of Madura Swaddles $45

1 winner of 1 set of My Memories Baby Step cards $15

Entry-Form

Terms and conditions apply.

Disclaimer:

I was not monetarily compensated for this giveaway and review. I received the products for evaluation purposes. My opinion and findings are 100% mine and may vary from yours. I only review products that I believe will be beneficial to my readers and products that I like.

Nappy Bag Checklist for New Mothers

The nappy bag is something that you will be taking pretty much everywhere you go, in fact, you won’t want to leave the house without it, especially if bub is a brand newbie. This is a bag that contains all the essential things that you will need for bub when you are out and about. You might think that you can just buy what you need when you are there, but as you will soon see, there are a number of things you will want to keep with you all the time.

Photo credit: babygiftsoutlet.com

Nappies

One thing that you will learn quite quickly about a new bub, is that there will be many nappy changes. In fact, Murphy’s Law states that if you have just changed the baby’s nappy for a wee, then it will immediately do a poo which will need changing. This the way it goes, so make sure you always have plenty of nappies in the nappy bag. However many you think you will need – double it.

Wipes

Wipes will become your best friend, and are invaluable for all sorts of different things including wiping up spills and keeping yours and baby’s hands clean. You will find that wipes will be with you until the child is well into double figures, and even then you may keep buying them for yourself, because they are just so handy!

Spare Clothes

Ensure that you always have at least one set of spare clothes in the bag for baby, in the case of accidents such as spew on the clothes, and poos up the back. The reality is, that if you have not used the spare clothing at all on ten previous outings, (and decide to take them out of the bag) on this outing you will definitely need them; again Murphy’s Law comes into play.

Portable Change Mat

A portable change mat is really important for when you are changing baby away from home, and you will be thanking yourself for it when you find yourself in a less than hospitable ‘parents room’ at a shopping centre. You won’t want to be putting your brand new human down on the cold, dirty change table that is provided, but will be glad of your portable change mat that you packed!

Blankets

Another must is to always have spare blankets on board in the nappy bag. Whether it is for swaddling baby, or laying down on a surface before you put bub down, blankets are another one of your best friends with the new bub.

Creams and Potions

Don’t forget your creams and potions for baby, especially if there is a touch of nappy rash, or if baby is colicky. Most nappy bags have plenty of side pockets so there will be ample space to make sure that you have spare tubes of creams, and whatever else baby might need.

Food/Snacks

For a new bub, if you are breast feeding you probably won’t need to worry about bringing bottles and food, but you should always remember to carry some water for yourself. As bub gets a bit older you will want to ensure that you are packing some snacks and things to chew on.

Is there anything else that you think you might need for your nappy bag? If you are planning for a friend who is going to be a new mum, check out maternitysale.com.au for some great gift ideas for her.

Little Jellycat Bashful Bunny Toy

I love collecting stuffed toys for my daughter and the collection just keeps growing. She grew up loving and caring for her cute little stuffed animals. I am glad to get the Little Jellycat Bashful Bunny Medium Size from Hello Baby online shop.

The Little Jellycat Bashful Bunny Medium Size is available from the online nursery shop of Hello Baby. Hello Baby online shop also sells a variety of selected baby and other nursery products including Baby Toys, toddler toys, nursery furniture, baby travel accessories and baby safety products.

The cute little bunny is so soft and cuddly and is safe for babies. The fluffy ears add comfort to the person who hugs this very soft toy. The cute bunny is about 29 cm long and the ears is 20 cm long. The toy is filled with soft fiber that is safe for everyone, including newly born babies. It is very light so your young one can carry it around wherever they go. It is very soft that you will find it hard not to love and hug it. I can't resist it myself!

I do recommend this beautiful stuffed animal plushie to everyone. It is a safe toy for your kids and they will surely love it. Head on to Hello Baby and check out their wonderful collections of toys and other merchandise for babies.

Promiscuous Person

I know someone who had the misfortune of falling in love with a promiscuous person. I felt bad for my friend because he didn't have an iota of a clue about the real person behind the promiscuous being.

All our friends gathered to warn our dear pal about the person but love was such a strong force to reckon with. So, our friend pushed through with the relationship. We let it pass and just realized that they broke up several years ago.

Then one day, the person in question resurfaced with a major shocker. She gave birth! Our friend and all of us were in total shock. Our friend considered to take paternity test to make sure he was the father. They broke up many moons ago so why would this girl be coming forward now to reveal something as big as a baby news? 

People are really mysterious and weird. Love is equally weird but powerful to the point of blinding someone about the facts surrounding the person they love. If people are just wise and will think before they act then things like these can be avoided.

Good Bye Little Angel

Easter is supposed to beacon a fresh start, a new hope, a new life. My friend's Easter is the opposite. We just received the news that my future-godson did not survive and  whilst in his mother's womb. I know  how devastated my friend and her husband is to find out the news of their unborn. The irony of the whole ordeal is, the baby is due anytime from today until next week. My friend carried him for 9 full months only to find out this morning that he did not have any heart beat anymore.

I feel lost right now. I feel sorry for the loss of a little baby whose parents are so eager to have him come home and instead, he went home to the Lord.

There are things in life that we just cannot question much as we try to understand the reason behind every circumstance. He has a grand plan for everyone. And even if we try to connect the dots why things like this happen, who are we to question?

I just pray that my friend and her family recovers from this loss. I know that no amount of words or sympathy can comfort a grieving mother's heart. I pray for her and the husband to be strong and never lose faith in God. I can only offer my prayers but God will cast His healing love.

To the little angel we will never see nor hold even for a short while, we pray that you follow the path the Lord has made for you. Guide your mama and papa and pray for us in Heaven. So long my little godson. Rest in heavenly peace.

Welcome Baby Boy Calix!

My brother and his wife just had a baby today. We're all ecstatic because this is a wonderful Christmas gift to the family. It's been a while since we heard of tiny pitter-patter around the house. I am a new Aunt again!

The mother is recuperating and will be discharged tomorrow while Baby Calix is still in the incubator for observation because he was born a week early from the due date. I just pray he will be fine.

Congratulations to my brother and his wife. This is such a wonderful Christmas gift to all of us. Thank you Lord!

Pregnant at 38

Not me! That is for sure. One of my close friends is about to give birth any day now. The whole gang was surprised to hear of the very good news last year when she told us she was "anticipating." Some of my close pals have tried desperately to have another baby added in their brood but none has been successful but her. And we are all happy for her! Imagine, her eldest is already 16 and now she is to give birth 16 years later. We all cross our fingers that the baby will be a girl this time so she has the complete package.

I am thinking of giving her something special because I don't think she has baby stuff left. Aside from that, she also lives in France and I don't think she has taken her belongings there. An ergo baby carrier is on the top of my list and few baby clothes too. I haven't really decided yet because there are so many options. All these baby products in the market are just so adorable.

Baby Girl for my Friend

I just received a very happy and good news from a dear friend yesterday. She is having a baby girl due either on March or April. I am hoping March so she is the same birth month as I am :)

Anyway, my friend is so excited because her first born is already 15 or 16 years old. So, the age gap is quite wide and she does not have her baby stuff used for her first born anymore. Since she lives in Cannes, France, I can only suggest stuff to her she can check over the internet.

I found this nice bob revolution baby stroller for her which will be great because she's a very active person. I am sure she'll have a grand time scouting for other baby stuff when the baby is born.

Baby Stroller

We bought a baby stroller for our nephew on sale. It is not as flashy as some of the high-end strollers we see in the baby shops here. It does look fine with less the frills. It is simple like the Baby jogger city select styles I see from the other expats here. I think it is okay and sturdy enough to carry our nephew around even he gets older and heavier. My husband said as long as it served its purpose, it would be just fine.

Art Attack - Handmade Baby Album

My creativity strikes at random times. I did this baby album for a good friend as a going-away gift to her. She was not leaving Dubai but her baby was. Well, there are circumstances we cannot control so we have to make great sacrifices. Sending your beloved child is one the sacrifices we, expats, have to make sometimes for the good of everyone.

So, to cheer her up and to give her a chance to remember the happy times, I made this baby album for her. It took me roughly 3 hours to complete the whole thing. I used card board from used boxes and cut them. The edge of each page had been shaped after the word B-A-B-Y. Each page has various pictures of the whole family with James (the inspiration of this whole special project). I used my 3-D stickers and some self-made tags to embellish the pages. I also used patterned papers to cover the card base. I used plenty of left-over ribbons from my stash. I tied a small "boy cap" as a charm on the album rings.

It was so difficult to attach the rings onto the pages. I did all these manually because I did not have any special die-cutter nor a heavy duty paper slicer. My hands ached so bad the next day. However, seeing the happy face from my friend when she saw the album made it all worth the time and effort.

Here's the end-product of my love for a friend:

Babies and Mommies Around

I haven't seen much of mommies jogging lately with their little tots and babies on their baby jogger city mini at the nearby park. The recent weather freak show here has kept most of us at home. For the past few weeks, we had thunderstorms, hail, sand storm and lately, fog. I was not able to run around much too.

I honestly miss seeing the mommies and babies I usually see in the morning. Now that the weather has turned to a bit hot and humid, I don't think I will be seeing much of them for a long time.

Baby Blankets

Most of my pregnant friends and family member already gave birth last year. So far, 2 of them took me as their godmother. So, the gift-giving begins!

I have been safe with my choices for gift ideas especially for babies because most of the times, the mothers have the other necessities their baby will need. Some are hand-me-downs and some are gifts from baby showers. Although with a baby blanket, you cannot go wrong. It is used all the time to warm the baby. It is used to cover them from the elements. It can be used as a baby cot's bedding as long as it is tucked properly. A baby blanket has just too many uses which makes it a great gift.

I found this site about blankets for babies which I think is a cool and great gift idea. Li'l Inspirations is a web shop which caters to baby and toddler blanket. What's more special than giving these new moms some personalized blankets which are really fabulous? That personalized touch will make the recipient feel really special.

Health Nut - Prenatal Vitamins

Pregnancy is one of the most elating feeling a woman can experience in her lifetime. I enjoyed being pregnant. I love the subtle changes happening to my body while going through the various stages of pregnancy.

Being pregnant does not entail just eating the right food which will give the proper nutrients a growing baby and mother need. A pregnant mother must also compliment her diet with prenatal vitamins so that she does not miss out on the important folic acid, calcium, iron and other important vitamins and minerals she and the baby will need while pregnant.

So if you have a "bun in the oven" and want to ensure the baby's health is just right, do not skip on your prenatal vitamins.

Baby Matters

My friend who will deliver her 4th child is looking for a great idea for her nursery room. It has been a while since she last had her glimpse of a nursery because her youngest is already 7. With a baby coming soon, all she can think about is making a special nursery room that will showcase her love for stylish yet whimsical theme. She also has a flair with something light colored and elegant at the same time but will not burn a big hole in her pockets.

I suggested some nice alphabet letters for kids adorned on one side of the wall with a soft and comfortable couch next to it. A small reading lamp atop the cream side table will complete the look. I told her to be practical at the same time because the nursery will soon become a regular child's room too. So, the designs and the furniture she will use must also be suited for a growing toddler.

The room will not be complete without the accessories. We all know that the baby is going to be a boy. She can buy some nice Caden Lane Crib Bedding with cute boyish accents like prints of small toys laced with baby blue hues. She likes to have pastel blue color on the wall so she may stick with using cream and baby blue on the blanket and bedding.

Lastly, a heavy-duty and safe Bumbleride Strollers will be one of the major purchases the soon-to-be-mom will make. I can't wait to see the new baby in town!

Baby Shower Favors Galore!

First they got pregnant. Then they announced their pregnancies. Then they planned for their baby showers and now, my new dilemma is what to suggest for their baby shower favors. Well, this is the situation I am in right now because most of my gal pals are pregnant and this is no exaggeration. They are!

So far, my friend from Canada already confirmed that I am the godmother. I already picked the perfect baby shower gift for the baby. I have yet to figure out what baby shower favors she can give away. She asked me if I can scout for her and I have lovingly obliged. Well, that's what friends do and being the godmother, I am honored.

I found this very cute edible baby shower favors at Bellissimofavors.com. The baby shower tin cans are really cute and so are the take-out pails. There are wide variety of baby shower favors to choose from. I will tell her to get the edible ones because they are unique. I never had this kind of favors when I was pregnant 11 years ago. So I am suggesting this edible baby shower favors instead.

I think she will approve of this suggestion once I tell her where she can get her nice favors.

Baby Boomers!

2009 is the year where almost every female relative or friend I know is pregnant. Okay, I am exaggerating there. The truth is I have several friends and a relative who are all above 40 and have been trying to conceive for sometime and guess what? I think Lady Luck has been working hard lately because all of them just announced they are pregnant! Talk about baby boomers.

First, my sister-in-law is pregnant, then 2 of my friends in Canada are "infanticipating" and 2 of my gal pals here in Dubai are also heating some nice, cute "buns" in their ovens. What is so funny about this whole thing is that, they announced their pregnancies one after the other and I could not help but laugh about the joke. Well, I thought it was until they all confirmed their pregnancy.

So I am in a predicament as to what to give all these mommies-to-be for their babies and themselves. I am sure I will get baby-shower invitations left and right.

I hastily checked the site for nice baby and mommy-to-be products I can give which are really unique, chic and sassy. Petunia Pickle Bottom will be the answer to my gift-giving woes. I checked the variety of elegant, classy, very pretty products they carry. I think the mommies-to-be will not be disappointed to see what's in their gift boxes.

I am eyeing the Petunia Pickle Bottom diaper bags for half of my pregnant friends. I like the various designs that I can choose from. They all look so chic without giving away their real purpose. You won't be able to make out they are diaper bags because of the look. Some even look like hobo bags. How come these bags didn't show up in the market when I was pregnant?

Of course I won't let all my pregnant mommy friends to have the same baby-shower gifts, right? I am keen on the Petunia Pickle Bottom baby slings as well as an option to give for the other half. I prefer this from the conventional baby carrier I used for my daughter 11 years ago. This baby sling follows the natural contour of the baby's back and that makes it all natural. The baby is like being cradled by the mommy's arms. It makes bonding stronger.

Apart from the above items, the Layla Grayce-Petunia Pickle Bottom site also carries receiving blankets, organic blankets, baby one-piece clothes, crib bedding brocade and linens.