Tips for swaddling your sweetie

It’s no secret that newborns like to be bundled up warmly and securely. After spending nine months in the comfort of their own toasty little womb, the sights, sounds, and temperatures of the outside world can be a bit overwhelming.

I’ve been out of the womb for thirty years now and sometimes this world even makes me wish for a good swaddling.

Baby swaddling dates back centuries, and there’s a bundle of reasons why this practice is still popular and highly recommended by physicians today.

• It’s a great way to soothe and calm a baby by giving her a sense of security and closeness
• It can help your baby (and you!) sleep longer because it prevents sudden movements that might abruptly wake her
• It helps to eliminate the risk of SIDS by keeping her tightly wrapped in one position (ideally on her back) throughout the night and during naps
• It can help with breastfeeding to keep her focused on the task at hand, rather than all the new things she could reach out and explore
• It helps to regulate temperature, which babies cannot do as well as adults yet
• A swaddled little baby burrito is easier to hold, rock, and pass off to Grandma of course

Two Blue Peas has a couple of swaddling blanket options to make the art of swaddling as easy as 1-2-3: the SwaddleDesigns Ultimate Receiving Blanket and the BabyBonkie.

Developed by an RN, the SwaddleDesigns Ultimate Receiving Blanket is the perfect size and weight for traditional swaddling. They are made in America, wash beautifully, and have a cheat sheet stitched right on the label.

First, lay the blanket on a flat surface at an angle (it should look like a diamond), then fold the top corner of the diamond down about 6 inches. Place your baby on the center of the blanket with her head just above the 6 inch fold.

Step 1:
Pull the left side of the blanket across your baby’s chest (arms in!) and tuck the fabric snugly under her right side.

Step 2:
Lift the bottom corner of the diamond up and tuck smoothly under her left shoulder and back

Step 3:
Pull the right corner across to her left side and tuck it tightly into the folded blanket on her left shoulder.

If 1-2-3 is not easy enough, the BabyBonkie dumbs it down even more. Just slip your baby into the pocket, and fold over the two side flaps, which securely fasten with Velcro. Voila! Easy enough for your husband or a sleep-deprived zombie to do.

> Shop SwaddleDesigns swaddler blankets
> Shop BabyBonkie swaddler blankets

Rub-a-dub-dub bacteria from the tub

Before kiddos entered the scene, occasionally turning your eye from the funk growing in the corner of the shower was no big deal. Anything to avoid that monstrous chore, right?

But when adding a little one and an entire underwater toy store to the tub, that harmless little patch suddenly seems like an out-of-control plague that you obsess over each time your guppie hits the waters for bathtime.

Kids touch every surface, chew on every toy, and I’m sure even down a couple swigs of bathwater when you’re not looking.

In honor of our new baby bath toys and accessories from Sassy Baby, baby washcloths from Furnis, and hooded baby towels from 3 Sprouts, here are a few key tips on cleaning and caring for baby bath toys and towels.

Bath toys:
Avoiding porous or difficult to scrub items is key. Stick to larger items like boats, cups, and other hard plastic treasures. And ditch any toy that just won’t come clean – even if it’s a favorite.

• always squeeze out excess water that may collect inside toys
• hang toys to dry in a mesh bag when finished
• toss toys in the top rack of the dishwasher (tip: keep tiny trinkets accounted for in a lingerie bag)
• disinfect toys with a bleach solution once a month and any time you or your child has been ill

Bath towels and washcloths:
Not all mold, mildew, and bacteria has a smell, so the smell test is not a safe one when it comes to cleaning bath towels. And it doesn’t matter how clean you may think you are. Even if you bathed in boiling water and scrubbed with sandpaper, microscopic pieces of skin are embedded into the towel and serve as a feast for bacteria.

• wash towels in warm/hot water at least every 2-3 uses, although after each use is better
• avoid re-using washcloths, as scrubbed dirt and bacteria stay in the fibers until properly sanitized
• tumble dry on low heat for longer to increase the life of the towel
• never use bath towels to clean up messes in the bathroom or otherwise

> Sassy bath toys
> 3 Sprouts hooded baby towels
> Mullins Square hooded baby towels and baby bathrobes
> Furnis baby washcloths

Feed me with fun!

At about six or seven months babies begin eating solids. Rice cereal, pureed bananas, mashed sweet potatoes are on your littles first menu. Baby food has had many advances with organics, chef inspired pairings and packaging. But, no matter how you smash, dice or boil it, baby food looks pretty, well, gross.

Thankfully there have been advances in baby dish sets, as well. Modern styles, more baby and earth friendly materials and dishes that educate while peas are being scattered about. Help ease the unsightliness of pureed chicken and rice.

Baby Cie is one of those advanced dish set collections. All Baby Cie dishes are made from melamine, which for aggressive eaters, will not break when tossed on the floor. It also is dishwasher safe, which is a huge help to mom’s lower back.

On top of the great construction, Baby Cie dishes are adorable. Each set is painted with a theme, including ballerinas, farm and jungle. Dishes are illustrated with dancers, monkeys, giraffes, elephants and more. And, the painted characters include the French word for each. Brilliant! Your little one will learn a romance language while chomping away at pears.

So, when the time comes for baby to start using dish sets say ‘bon jour’ to fun and ‘au revoir’ boring mealtimes!

Finding Perfect Pairs

There are many famous pairs in history - Romeo and Juliet, Ken and Barbie, Abbott and Costello, Adam and Eve, and Ben and Jerry (my favorite). My list could go on and on. The idea that one thing or person individually is great, but together make something more spectacular is the definition of a perfect pair. A little like cherries and chocolate (again, thanks Ben and Jerry).

I have the same feelings about baby gifts. Going to a shower with the perfect gift pairing makes me so excited to have the present opened, oh’d and ahh’d. So, in honor of Valentine’s Day, and perfect pairs, I have compiled some great baby gift pairings. They may not rival Fred and Ginger, but certainly will receive applause at your next baby occasion.

Bibs & Burps

Serena & Lily Pink/Melon Bib & Burp Set

Blankets & Booties

Swaddle Designs Blue Circles Blanket Best of Chums Elephant Booties

Onesies & Hats

Best of Chums Cow Onesie Zutano Orange Candy Stripe Hat

Bathrobes & Toys

Mullins Square Blue Check Bathrobe Sassy Snap & Squirt Sea Creatures

Lovies & Pillows

Angel Dear Giraffe Gift Bundle

Baby Valentine’s Day gifts

Like Cupid with that sneaky arrow of his, Valentine’s Day has sneaked up on us once again. Hopefully you’ve already picked out something special for the big baby in your life. I mean, you know he’s been planning his thoughtful, romantic gift to you for weeks now, right?

But as if you need a reason to shower your other baby with more precious presents, I couldn’t think of a better occasion. Just because she’s not yet approved for chocolate and he can quite appreciate a shiny new money clip doesn’t mean this special day is for adults only.

Here are a few top picks from Two Blue Peas that we absolutely heart for your little this Valentine’s Day:

• 3 Sprouts pink elephant hooded baby towel (monogrammable!)
• Jack & Lily love flower soft soled baby shoes
• Mullins Square red lace diaper cover (monogrammable!)
• Best of Chums pink winged heart onesie
• Angel Dear brown bear blankie (monogrammable!)

• Babysoy chocolate ringer organic onesie
• Jack & Lily red monkey soft soled baby shoes
• Mullins Square cream puppy hooded baby towel (monogrammable!)
• Uglydolls

To paci or not to paci

Paci, binky, bo-bo, boppy, boop. That little piece of cry-cancelling silicone has more nicknames than Puff Daddy – excuse me, “Diddy”.

To paci or not to paci, that is the question. A question that haunts many new mommies as they consider all the options for calming a crying child.

Some parents go straight for the bink on day one, while others exhaust every other method – breastfeeding, rocking, walking, singing, swinging, midnight driving – before they resort to the evil pacifier.

But why the bad wrap? Yes, there are definitely a handful of legit cons to putting a cork in it. But what about all the paci pros? Since we over at Two Blue Peas are such huge fans of the WubbaNub pacifier, we thought we’d list a few for you to chew on.

• A baby cries an average of three hours a day! That’s stressful for you and your little one. Pacis are a proven way to soothe. The sucking action is a normal infant reflex and undoubtedly helps calm a baby – approximately 75% of America’s babies to be exact. Many babies have the urge to suck when they are tired, bored, or need some comforting, not just when they are hungry.


• Pacis are a good distraction. Sometimes you can’t make the bottle or prepare to breastfeed fast enough for your demanding darling. And if they get worked up enough over the wait, it can be harder to get them to even take the bottle at all.


• Pacis may help your baby go to sleep. Sucking is a self-comforting behavior whether it be a pacifier, bottle, or fingers. Which brings us to the next point...


• Unlike fingers (namely Mr. Thumbkin), Pacis are disposable. It’s easier to break your child of a paci habit than a thumbsucking habit. You are in control over the paci and can pitch it when you’re ready.


• Pacis may reduce the risk of SIDS. Although researchers haven’t nailed the cause-and-effect relationship of the two, a number of recent studies show a substantially lower incidence of SIDS in babies who use pacifiers compared to those that don’t.

> Shop WubbaNub pacifiers at twobluepeas.com (buy 3 of the same kind, save $3!)

Ode to my diaper bag

Oh, diaper bag, how do I love thee? Let me count the ways. You carry so many things needed on errands, traveling and on play-dates. Did I ever live without you? I can’t remember a time. You carry diapers, wipes, snacks, drinks, toys, wallet, phone, crayons, pens, books, crunched up goldfish, band-aids, anti-bacterial lotion and tissues without even breaking a seam. Without you my life would be very stressful. My arms would hurt from carrying totes and purses. Thank you diaper bag for being with me the past two and half years, without complaint. I’m glad you are going to be there for me with the arrival of baby number two.

To find your true diaper bag companion, ask yourself the following:

How big a bag do I need?
Am I partial to leather or stain resistant materials?
Are compartments needed?
Do I need a changing pad?
Do I like to carry a backpack, tote, side-bag or clutch?
What kind of statement do I like to make with a bag?

Two Blue Peas carries diaper bags to fit any and all shapes, sizes and needs. It’s important to find the right bag that will last you through baby number one and beyond. Bag makers like JP Lizzy, Caden Lane and Dwell are some of the best in the industry. Shop diaper bags at Two Blue Peas and find a bag that will get you organized and excited. Finding your true bag companion can be a relationship that lasts a lifetime.

>shop diaper bags