We swaddle our babies for a few reasons:

• It controls jerky arm and leg movements that can startle or wake a sleeping baby.
• Swaddling has a calming affect on the baby and is a perfect tool to control irritation that babies are known for.
• A swaddled baby is easy to move and hold while reading a book or watching TV.
• The best, however, is that there is no better feeling for parents than to cuddle their baby wrapped in a soft receiving blanket.

Receiving blankets are cut according to size and made in a way to make swaddling easy and convenient for parents as well as babies. You will need more than one to allow for periodic washing as babies tend to soil clothing frequently.

Making receiving blankets at home is easy and can save you a lot of money. All that you require is some fabric, sewing thread and scissors.

• Choose a fabric of your choice. Fleece fabric or cotton flannel is best suited as they are light and warm. For colder climates, you may choose a light-weight blanket made of wool.
• You will require at least 1 ¼ yards of 60” width.
• Fold the fabric in half, width wise.
• Cut to make two pieces, so you have two pieces measuring 30” x 45”.
• Use a plate as a template and round off the edges.
• Fleece fabric does not fray but still use a serger to seal of the edges.
• If you do not have a serger, use blanket stitch which is just as effective.
• Use a thread color that contrasts with the fabric to give a different look.
• If you are good at embroidery, look for embroidery patterns on a website for crib comforters and quilts and use your imagination with colors.

When making a receiving blanket at home, the most important thing to remember is to buy a fabric that is soft and does not harm your baby. Cotton and wool are natural fibers and beddings for the baby should preferably be made of organically produced yarns. A light-weight down crib comforter will serve the purpose of a receiving blanket on occasions when it is too cold and you have to take the baby outdoors. Whatever you use to swaddle your baby, the idea is to stick to safe and natural fabrics only.

References:

http://www.quiltwoman.com/mie/htrb2.html
http://sewing.about.com/c/ht/00/07/How_Fleece_Blanket

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