Wrapping a newborn

[Bengal]

Our twins will be born (all being well) I would say April (that's 3 weeks early)

I was at target and some wraps etc where on clearance

I have come home with 6 muslin wraps 100 x 100 cm ( what are these for ? ) they don't feel very soft

11 baby wraps 75 x 100 cm (they feel a lot softer) how do I use these ?

How do all these work if I want to buy a swaddle ?

I have heard of the old fashion cloth nappies being used inside a baby blanket (wow they are not cheap !)

I feel a little embaressed asking, I just don't know what is the best thing to do these days .

Thanks

[NaeNae]

Muslin wraps are a type of swaddle as far as I know. I wrapped/swaddled Dd for a littleover 12 months.

The fabrics vary depending ont he time of year they will be used for so your muslin ones will be a great weight for summer next year and big enough. No muslin wraps do not feel as soft as some of the other cottons but it is very light weight and it does soften a bit with use.

Depending on how your hospital teaches you in the antenatal classes will probably determine how you wrap. There are a few different ways none is more correct than the other ... We learnt the "straight jacket" way and the "Angel wrap" way ... DD preferred the tighter straight jacket way and simply would not settle unless she was wrapped up tight.

Each baby is different and you might find yours does not like being wrapped at all and you might prefer to go with cocoon type things or sleeping bags or these new fangled things called sleepy wings or a combination .... your baby might not settle on its back and MAY be a tummy sleeper, you won't know until it arrives.

Either way the wraps do make excellent spew rags ...except the muslin ...much too thin ... they are good for food coverings if you're having a party.

I wouldn't buy too much more until your baby is here, you will be given stuff from people as gifts,flat nappies and wraps are often popular

Hope this helps

Nae x

[Cranky Kitten]

What Nae said

It's actually pretty hard to describe how to wrap a baby, but it's really easy if someone shows you - which is generally either during antenatal classes or by the midwives in hospital once your bubs are here. Muslin wraps are also good to drape over the pram to stop stickybeaks poking their noses in if you're trying to get your babies to sleep as they are light enough to still let air through. Either are also good for using as pram liners, on top of a towel on the floor for nappy free time, I swear there's a hundred uses even if you never wind up using them as actual wraps....

[LimeSlice]

Our twins will be born (all being well) I would say April (that's 3 weeks early)
Congratulations!!

I was at target and some wraps etc where on clearance

I have come home with 6 muslin wraps 100 x 100 cm ( what are these for ? ) they don't feel very soft
They are a light weight wrap perfect for summer, as they are a much finer weave, 100% cotton so they breath.
They will soften up after a few washes, dry them in a dryer and give them a steam iron and they will be lovely. Despite appearances, they are very warm.

11 baby wraps 75 x 100 cm (they feel a lot softer) how do I use these ?
You can use them to swaddle, cover baby in a cot etc, lay baby on the floor...anything!

How do all these work if I want to buy a swaddle ?
There are many different ways to swaddle, sure you will find YouTube vids if you search for it.

I have heard of the old fashion cloth nappies being used inside a baby blanket (wow they are not cheap !)
Ther are old school flat square cloth nappies and then there are MCN - Modern Cloth Nappies. Both are awesome. And save you, on average, $2500 PER CHILD from newborn to TT at 3 years old. MCN cost more up front, but are an investment, hold their value well to onsell or keep for future children. Well worth some research.
They save money, water, etc and are much prettier! Washing, folding, drying, etc adds, on average, 7 minutes to your day. You can wash every second day. I have used both for both my girls are would never do it any other way.
The flat nappies - terry towelling or flannelette - are fabulous for burp clothes, spew rags, cleaning up general mess, laying on change tables, floor, keeping in the car for mess and changes on the go... soooo many uses. Perfect for cutting up into baby wipes too.

I feel a little embaressed asking, I just don't know what is the best thing to do these days .
No such thing as a silly question!

Thanks
Hope that helps!

[Jennifer13]

Bengal - my suggestion is to get the bigger sized wraps wherever you can. The smaller ones don't give you as much wrapping length and obviously once babies grow you especially need length.

Wrapping style is a bit of trial and error! I liked flannel wraps in the colder weather, but muslin works all year around as you can dress a baby warmly underneath.

[JLeigh29]

I Googled wrapping and found some awesome You-tube videos when I was looking to wrap DS. I agree, the 'straight jacket' type wrap was best for DS. The larger ones can be folded and layered (I think DS had 6 layers, including two blankets but excluding clothes, when in hossy!)

They were also good for tummy time, wiping spills, drool catchers etc

[HotI]

I bought some flannel in funky prints from Spotlight and hemmed it to make some bigger wraps. My bub was a April bub too.