Back To School Review & Giveaway #2- Aden & Anais Dream Blanket*CLOSED*

In our house we love blankies. All my boys have them even my husband. So I knew I had to find Will the prefect blankie. I started my search and that's when I found aden + anais. They have a blanket called the Dream Blankets. It's 47"x47" and made of 4 layers of 100% cotton muslin.

I was so excited to be able to review the Dream Blankets for aden + anais. I choose the Jungle Jam Giraffe print for Will. I was so happy when it arrived, I gave it right to him. He loves his new blankie. The Dream Blanket is so soft, all my boys fight over it. Will uses it all day long whether he's hanging out on the couch or sleeping in my bed.

Our Story

As a young woman growing up in Australia, our founder Raegan Moya-Jones was introduced to many traditional practices of motherhood. One of them in particular-- swaddling babies in generously sized, gentle muslin sheets-- amazed her. Even the fussiest babies seemed to sleep more peacefully in muslin. Despite the hot days and the cold nights, muslin swaddles helped keep babies comfortable. And, most importantly, the very act of swaddling seemed to build a bond between mothers and their babies.

When she moved to the U.S. and started her own family, Raegan couldn’t

And so, aden + anais was born. And within months of hitting the market, aden + anais swaddles starting popping up in magazines, on blogs for new mothers, in virtually every celebrity gift registry, and in stores around the country.

Today, aden + anais, has brought the legacy of muslin together with fashion forward design to create a line of products that are as stylish as they are useful; and as simple as they are beautiful. We believe in muslin-- the way it looks, the way it feels, the way it works-- to improve the lives of babies and their mothers no matter who they are or where they live.

The proof is in every product we make.

Why Swaddle With Muslin

The practice of swaddling goes back nearly as far as human history, itself. The oldest archaeological evidence of mothers swaddling their babies begins in 4000 B.C. with the migrating peoples of ancient central Asia. The ancient Greeks and Romans swaddled. There are even biblical references to the practice.

Swaddling’s ability to soothe and calm babies has been known to mothers around the world for countless generations. But while the evidence of its benefits has been clear to women for thousands of years and across every continent, today we can turn to science for proof that swaddling is one of the most gentle, effective, and beneficial practices for mothers and their children.

In 2002, the medical journal Pediatrics published a study that explained why babies who are swaddled sleep more peacefully by preventing spontaneous movements (called reflex motion) from waking them up continually during the night. The same year, the Journal of Applied Physiology wrote that swaddled infants stay in REM sleep (the most restorative, deepest sleep) longer than those who were not. There is growing evidence every year that swaddling may indirectly help prevent SIDS, as well.

Swaddling is said to be as familiar to babies as it is to thier moms because it recreates the secure and cozy feeling of the womb -- and using swaddles made of natural cotton muslin only enhances that blissful feeling. Muslin is a finely-woven breathable fabric believed to have originated in Bangladesh during the Middle Ages. It's delicate, yet durable weave, makes the fabric stretchy, and therefore ideal for swaddling, as the natural give" allows the blanket to be tucked snuggly around a baby without being overly restrictive.

The lightweight muslin also permits air to circulate around the baby's body, while still providing comfort and warmth without the worry that the baby may overheat in moderate weather. Cotton muslin is also a workhorse fabric, in that wraps woven from this natural fiber stands up to repeated washings only becoming softer -- and better -- with age.

Of course, all the scientific evidence in the world is no substitute for the experience of millions of Mothers through uncountable generations: that swaddling in muslin is one of the most loving, gentle, restorative acts a mother can perform for her child.

aden + anais offers many muslin products, Dream Blankets, Swaddles, Sleeping Bags, Burpy Bibs, Towels, Washcloths, Issie Security Blankets, and The Swaddle of Love Book.

Swaddle of Love Foundation

The foundation’s mission is to provide babies with the basic of human connections – touch. Orphaned babies become conditioned not to cry, even when left alone for 17 hours a day, simply because they know no one is coming.

Research shows touch deprivation in infants is attributed to many emotional and physical disorders, including brain defects, anxiety and depression to name a few.

Our goal is to eliminate touch deprivation in orphaned babies across the world.

Just $100 a month is enough to employ one local woman to help nurture these orphaned babies, so even the smallest amount matters.

*We are still in the process of getting non-profit status, and at this time are unable to issue tax receipts for your donation.

To learn more about the aden + anais swaddle love foundation, please visit http://www.swaddlelovefoundation.org/ 

Buy It: aden + anais ($44.95)

Win It: aden + anais is giving one of my readers a chance to win a Dream Blanket of their very own. (Boy or Girl) 

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ReTweet- Win a Dream Blanket from @adjolly and @adenandanais. (Ends 8/22) #giveaway

RULES: Open to U.S. Residents. Giveaway Ends August 22nd, 2010 at 11:59pm CST. Winner will be selected using Random.org and emailed. You will have 48 hours to respond. If no response prize will be forfeited and a new winner selected.

*This is MY honest and true opinion about this product that I was sent free of charge to review. I was not paid to say these things*