Must Have Baby Item: The Woombie

I’ll never forget the phone call I got from a fellow newborn care provider around 10:00 pm one night wondering if I had any Woombies on hand. Of course I have a Woombie, I ALWAYS have a Woombie. She drove all the way out to my home to pick one up, knowing the baby she was caring for wouldn’t likely sleep without it. 

The Woombie is MAGIC!

What the hell is a Woombie?

• Sleep sack unlike any other
• A womb simulator
• Idiot proof swaddle blanket
• Substitute for mom’s arms in the middle of the night

If you’re a new mom, or expecting, by now you’ve learned that the safest way for a baby to sleep is swaddle tight and on their back, right? Well, swaddling blankets can come loose, end up around the neck, or atop the face…HAZARD! In comes the “sleep sack”, but the problem with a sleep sack is that it doesn’t provide the tight feel or boundaries created by swaddling. Spastic newborns swaddle in their sleep and wake themselves up.

So, manufacturers created “swaddle sacks”; however, they’re still lacking because they’re:

shopwholeheart.com

1. Too loose, ill fitting

2. Too tight causing hip dysplasia

3. Velcro

• Velcro gets caught on things in the dryer
• Velcro is loud in the middle of the night
• Velcro doesn’t allow for easy diaper changes

This is why I HEART the Woombie! 

It was designed by an RN, Karen Barski, who knew what baby’s needed to sleep safely and soundly.

The Woombie has a patented peanut shape design so it fits snuggly in the right places.

The Woombie allows for range of motion at, and below, the hips.

The Woombie Air has a vented front that allows for air flow to prevent overheating.

The Woombie is made from nontoxic fabrics.

The Woombie has a double zipper to allow for easier diaper changes without unswaddling.

The Woombie comes in a variety of styles and prints AND you can get matching hats for your lil one!

Woombie also created the Cotton Indian Gown like the one shown here that is for a baby 16lbs-23lbs and allows for knotting at the feet to create boundaries.

The Cuddle Blanket and Old Fashioned Air Wrap Blankets are also favorite Woombie products. Check them all out here on shopwholeheart.com. The Woombie is the #1 perfect baby shower gift. In fact, I’d suggest you keep these on hand and bring one with you every time you meet a new baby!

Which print is your favorite?

Infant Sleep: Dos and Don’ts

As a new parent (or parent again), the common worry is not being able to get enough sleep. Sleep is crucial! I typically get 9-11 hours of sleep a night (no, I’m not joking); however, I recently started caring for 2 newborn twins a few nights a week, which sparked a desire to share the dos and don’t of infant sleep with you all. 

First thing’s first- do NOT expect your babies to “sleep through the night” or even sleep longer than 3 hours, the first few weeks, or even months. Babies need food! Their only job right now is to grow, which means they need to eat and sleep; that’s it.

What do I do?

1. Create appropriate daytime and nightime environments

Daytime: open the blinds to let natural light in, go about your business talking, cooking, doing laundry, etc., and keep feeding ’round the clock (on demand)

Nighttime: the nursery or bedroom should be DARK, warm, and have a white noise machine on full blast (this recreates the sounds of the womb)

2. Swaddle tight!

I personally love Woombie swaddles and Mod S’wads. If you have a Summer Infant Swaddle or Swaddle Pod be aware that the velcro is loud and likely to wake baby during nighttime changing. Also, the fit of these swaddles can be poor so you may need to double swaddle by using a breathable blanket first.

3. Feed before they’re hungry

Yes, you’re tired and you’re hoping they’ll sleep 4 hours…let’s be real, you’re hoping they’ll sleep 8 hours; however, if you don’t feed them every 2 hours (newborns) or every 3 hours (if that’s their schedule), you’ll be sorry. They will wake up MAD and you won’t be ready with a warm bottle or they could have difficulty latchingbecause they’re so pissed off.

4. Nighttime is business time

We all love babies (if you don’t, get the hell off my blog, lol), but it’s important not to interract too much at night. Keep stimulation to a minimum. Pick up, feed, burp, change, swaddle, put down. Repeat a few hours later.

NOTE: “Sleeping through the night” is technically 5 hours so pat yourself on the back when they reach that long between feeds. They’ll eventually do 10-12, but only when they’re no longer infants.

 What DON’T I do?

Don’t pick them up everytime they grunt or fuss; this doesn’t mean they’re awake. Babies are still learning how to sleep and it ain’t always pretty. They tend to channel their inner “Master P” (uhh, uhhh, na na na na)

Don’t fall asleep with them in a chair or on a couch (SIDS risk)

Don’t stare at the monitor all night! In fact, get rid of the monitor. You will hear your baby when they really need you. You’re feeding them in a few hours anyway.

Don’t lose sleep over SIDS; just follow the rules and then go to bed. A breastfed, swaddled tight, baby on their back in an EMPTY crib will be fine.

Don’t be afraid to put them in the swing or bouncer overnight as long as they’re not chin-to chest.

My favorite gear for infant sleep?

Woombie

Hats

Zipper footie pajamas

Mimo Baby Smart Monitor

4Moms Rockaroo or Mamaroo

Gas free bottle like a Mimijumi

Cloth diapers (WAY more absorbant)

Crane Humidifier (infants are nasal breathers)

Sleep train: Wait until they’re 10-14lbs or 2 months+, gradually increase feeds by 20% and begin to space out more time between feeds.

Need a sleep coach? Whole Heart has the best Sleep Coach in Austin! Click here to get in touch with her.