The muslin has long been a reliable choice for mothers who want to swaddle their infants in a lightweight and breathable material for comfort and safety. These are made from fabrics that are either cotton or bamboo based, finely-woven so as to not just maintain their plush texture but to actually get softer with every use.
The Benefits of Muslin Blankets
Your baby deserves only the best. That means finding the right blanket in which to swaddle your new bundle of joy. Muslin is the perfect material to keep baby safe, comfortable, and happy because muslin is gentle against your child's skin and lightweight enough to keep him or her from overheating.
You have a lot to think about when you bring your baby home. The choice of blanket is an important one since your baby will be wrapped inside of it so often. Muslin brings a whole list of benefits to consider:
Soothing Sleep
The last thing you want is to keep your baby from getting the sleep he or she needs. A heavy or uncomfortable blanket is going to interrupt that much-needed slumber but muslin is light and soft enough to promote sleep. It's important for your baby to adopt healthy sleep patterns from the get-go and muslin will only work towards encouraging that practice.
That's because a swaddle made of muslin is the closest you can get to recreating the warm and comforting surroundings of the womb. Soft to the touch and calming as a firm hug, muslin will make your baby feel secure.
Manufactured for Comfort
Muslin is a natural material that is woven for total breathability, allowing for body heat to permeate through the fabric without your baby overheating. Since muslin is so soft and malleable, it does not restrict your child's movements. The baby won't feel wrapped up and constricted.
This is why muslin is also a great choice for use during breastfeeding. A thicker blanket might make the baby feel as if he or she is disconnected from the mother when feeding. But muslin, due to its lightweight nature, can allow the baby to feel the warmth of mom's body when she is breastfeeding. Mom can also rest assured that muslin will allow her to hold baby close without worrying about the child slipping from her grasp.
Popular Uses for Muslin
Now that you know all of the important benefits of muslin, let's discuss some of the most popular uses for this wonderful and versatile fabric. Yes, it provides plenty of airflow while keeping your baby snug and safe, but this is also a highly durable material that is long-lasting. The fabric can stand up to multiple washes without falling apart after awhile. In fact, it only gets softer with each ride in the spin cycle. The stability and tenacious nature of muslin makes it an excellent choice for a wide range of uses.
Swaddle
Perhaps the most popular use for muslin fabric is for swaddling. While this material breathes easy it can also insulate and offers stretchability due to the way the fabric is constructed. You swaddle your baby to keep him or her from moving around too much and eventually waking up from all the commotion. When you swaddle your child with a material that is too thick and heavy, baby gets hot, baby gets cranky, and baby might even wiggle out.
Blanket
As baby starts to get a little older, the swaddle may no longer be needed. But you'll always need a blanket for your young child and muslin is a great choice because it breathes so well and feels so warm and lightweight against the skin. You can also pack the blanket and take it on the go because it can pack into any bag or backpack without taking up much room.
Impromptu Mat
Since muslin is so durable and flexible and easily portable, a muslin blanket is the perfect accessory to take along so you can place down on any surface to let baby play, crawl, and relax outside of the home. Whether it's on the grass at a local park or the carpet of a friend's home, your muslin blanket gives the baby a safe space to lounge, sleep, or play.
Gentle Reminder
When placing any soft object such as muslin into the bedding of an infant's crib, you should always abide by the guidelines of the American Academy of Pediatrics which recommend that you keep blankets and similar types of objects away from the baby's sleep area for the first year. This is especially important when the child is left unattended.
After that initial twelve months, you should be careful about placing any items in the crib that could cause harm or danger even if they are soft and flexible.
