What are receiving blankets used for?

A receiving blanket is typically made from a lightweight, breathable material, usually printed in cute patterns and a variety of pastel colors. Receiving blankets have a wide variety of uses:

-Wrapping baby (more on that later!)
-A nursing blanket
-A stroller cover (see safety tips!).
-A tummy time rug
-A burp cloth
-A last-minute emergency wipe
-A makeshift changing mat
-A game of peek-a-boo!

Receiving blankets are a versatile and essential item for any new parent. Plus, you’ll likely find uses for them well beyond the newborn years! My daughter currently swaddles her baby dolls in the same blankets she was swaddled in (be still my heart!).

Is a receiving blanket and a swaddle blanket the same?

No, a receiving blanket and a swaddle blanket are not the same, although in my house, they were interchangeable, so don’t get too hung up on the difference.  Both types of blankets are used to wrap your little ones, a receiving blanket is typically a larger, thinner blanket used for general purposes such as laying the baby on for playtime or covering the baby while breastfeeding. Receiving blankets are typically 30 x 30

A swaddle blanket, on the other hand, is specifically designed to wrap an infant tightly. A swaddle wrap imitates the tight, secure, and cozy feeling of being in the womb. This cozy feeling prevents your baby from startling themselves awake with their own uncontrollable arm movements. Swaddle blankets are usually made from a stretchy material to help with the wrap and are slightly bigger in size than receiving blankets.

These days, most parents opt for a sleep sack or a premade swaddle with buttons or Velcro wings instead of the blanket. These products are equally as cute and easier to use than mastering burrito wrap, which can come undone and be a safety hazard.

Are blankets safe for the baby?

Yes, parents have been wrapping babies forever, so receiving blankets is safe for babies. They are typically made from lightweight and breathable materials that provide a layer of warmth and comfort without overheating the baby.  However, as with any baby item, it is important to follow the manufacturer’s instructions for proper use and care.

Here are a few safety tips to follow:

• Loose blankets in cribs have an associated risk of suffocation if not managed properly.
• Stop using a swaddle when your baby can roll over.
• Never leave a blanket loose in the crib.
• Never use a blanket to cover your stroller in warm weather. Regardless of the weight of the blanket, even the most lightweight muslin blankets can trap heat. There are great sun cover products out there that can keep with sun off safely.

Is a receiving blanket a good baby shower gift?

I received so many, and it seemed like a “lazy” gift – boy, was I wrong (and judgy). A receiving blanket can be a great gift for a baby shower! New parents can never have too many blankets on hand. Make sure you consider the climate and time of year when buying, so if the baby is due in the summer, a lightweight option is best.

Another great gift is the swaddle sleep sack with wings to easily wrap your baby, making it feel super cozy and secure. They can sometimes be pricey, and parents use them a few times a day, so this is a very useful gift for new parents!

What to add alongside your baby shower gift?

A great baby shower gift to add on is a Custom Clothing Stamp, so you can stamp the corner of the blanket with the baby’s name to make sure it doesn’t get left behind or mixed up at playdates. Also, the Baby Shower Label Gift Set is another unique gift option that parents love! Personalization is always special for new parents.

Also checkout this adorable Baby Birth Announcement! 

The typical blue and pink receiving blankets from the hospital

When my baby was first wrapped in their blue and pink striped blanket in the hospital, it strangely felt like a right of passage, I had joined millions of other parents who’d also had their babies lovingly wrapped in the same striped blanket. Here is the story of the traditional blanket that almost all hospitals use. Many hospitals (including the one I was in) use these blankets but don’t make it a policy to give parents to take away. Unfortunately for my hospital, one accidentally fell into my hospital bag and came home with me (I think that happens often).

So, while the receiving blanket may seem like such a mundane item, a boring gift or useless, it’s far from that! Not only is it useful, but the first blankets parents also use are deeply sentimental, and steeped in tradition that just feels right.

For more pregnancy and baby content, check out what to pack in you hospital bag!  

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Remember that Cesareans don’t get harder every time

My experience is that each one is unique, as is recovery. My worst recovery was after my fourth. The fifth and sixth were okay! So, if you had a tough recovery the first time, don’t be too worried that you’ll have the same experience in subsequent Cesareans

Get out of bed!

I found that the sooner I got out of bed after the surgery, the better my recovery was. I thought my nurse was very mean for forcing me out of bed when I was in pain, but she saved me a lot of pain later. Be gentle with yourself, but do try to get moving as soon as possible.

Don’t be afraid to advocate for yourself

Every time I went for a Cesarean, the surgical team wanted to put the catheter in BEFORE I had the spinal. I advocated strongly to have that order switched around and I’m glad I did! Don’t be afraid to speak up!

Prep your big kids

Prep your other kids. When you are recovering from a Cesarean, you can’t be lifting toddlers into cribs and car seats. Pull out the step stools and train them before baby comes. Get good at ignoring messes. You do not have to pick-up that laundry basket on the way up the stairs. Ignore it. Recovery is more important than a tidy house. Don’t be afraid to get help: accept meals, allow people to take your other children for the day and take up every kind offer that comes your way!

Make a plan to calm your nerves

I don’t blame you! Talk to your medical professionals and get their opinions. Before I was pregnant with my sixth, I had a consult to see what kind of shape my uterus was in, what the plan would be if I went into labour and discussed risks. All worked out just fine.

Ideally, I would have loved it if my babies were not surgically extracted from my uterus, but that was not in the cards for me. At the end of the day, I’m just happy that my six children arrived safely and lovingly into this crazy world.

The post Here’s What I’ve Learned After Six C-Sections appeared first on The Mabelhood.

Parents are planning to make the perfect announcement well ahead of time. But it can be hard to know what to say, when, and how to say it. Especially within a few hours of birth – you’re feeling overwhelmed and probably exhausted, so you’re probably not feeling very creative. With social media, it has never been easier to announce your baby’s arrival – but you still need to make it perfect! 

The etiquette around birth announcements on social media is a little wishy-washy, so we want to ensure you share the news flawlessly. Here is a list of birth announcement ideas, captions and etiquette.

We must keep in mind multi-generations who may not be on social media and respect their role (nobody wants grandma to find out after the neighbours down the street).  

Etiquette Tips for sharing the news
 

1. Always announce to immediate family first, with a phone call. This is respectful to the members of your family who will play a key role in babies’ life. If these members aren’t at the birth, it’s a good rule to make sure they receive a phone call – before ANY other announcements have been made. Some things in life require a call, not a text, and this is one of them.  
2. Dads and partners- never share the news online without talking with your partner and getting their approval.
3. NEVER share a picture of a new mom that she hasn’t approved of!

Etiquette Tip if you’re not the parents:

Never share photos without permission.   With sharing on social media becoming such second nature to everyone, it’s hard to forget that not everyone shares online. Many parents are choosing to keep their kids off social media, which needs to be respected. Parents are being highly cautious about what they share, as well as the privacy settings of their accounts. So, while they may share a photo of their baby online- it isn’t an invitation for you to do the same. Your connections are not their connections, and they don’t know your privacy settings unless you get permission; never share photos online, even if the parents already have.   

What if things don’t go as planned?

This can happen, and it’s never planned and always catches parents off-guard. A NICU stay can occur if the baby arrives early or has some complications. It can be a tricky area to navigate when it comes to announcing. Nobody can tell you the best etiquette here, it’s too personal, and each story is different. Some people post the birth announcement with a note stating they look forward to bringing the baby home. Other families announce the baby’s arrival the day they “graduate” from the NICU. Whatever the situation- only you will know what is best for you and your family.  

What we can stress: If you are not the parents, no matter how excited you are, do not post or share the information. It’s very poor taste. Instead, please speak with the parents, and follow their lead. 

Choosing a photo:  

Another BIG consideration is the photo! It’s the first thing people will see! We LOVE the idea of this Wooden Baby Name Announcement – it’s the perfect and simplistic way to introduce your baby to the world. You can pre-order the plaque and include it into your diaper bag. It’s a super simple way of creating a cute welcome photo!

CAPTION SAMPLES:

Planning for your birth announcement is a good idea after birth- you’re probably exhausted and not thinking straight. You don’t want this announcement not to be as perfect as your new bundle of joy! Here are some cute and clever ways to announce your baby’s name or gender.  

Traditional announcement:

Our little bundle of joy has arrived! Sarah & Tim Parker and big brother Taylor are ecstatic to welcome little Lincoln Ryan into the world!
Born on the 12th of April 2023
8 pounds, 4 ounces
20 inches   

 Social Media Captions: 

•  With so much love and pride, we present our [daughter/son]
• …And Baby Makes Three. Welcoming [name] 
• Over the moon! 
• They’ve arrived! Welcome [baby name]!
• Love at first sight is REAL! Meet baby [name].
• [He/She] was totally worth the wait.
• They were right. There is no feeling in the world like this.  
•  Who will they grow up to be? We’re not sure; we’ll wait and see!
• It is hard to believe our family is complete! Proudly welcoming [Name], a new baby for you all to meet.
• Our family grew by ten little toes.
• Everything in our life got a lot sweeter.  
• Announcing the birth of our baby, [name].
• We’re so proud to introduce [name], born [date]
• We are so happy to announce we are the proud parents of an adorable little girl/boy.
• We’ve officially become a family. Meet baby [name].
• A beauty was born into this world. She’s the sweetest little girl.
• A new adventure has arrived with the birth of our little girl.
• Hip, hip, hooray. Our little girl was born today.  
•  Welcome to the world, baby [name]!
• Meet the new love in our lives, [name].
• The wait is finally over! We’re thrilled to welcome [name].
• Hello, world! Introducing our bundle of joy [baby name].
• On [birth date], we were blessed with the arrival of [name].
• Dreams do come true! 
• On [birth date], we were blessed with the arrival of baby [name].
• It’s official! [name] arrived on [birthdate].
• Hello, my name is [name].
• [Parents’ names] welcome the newest addition to the family, [baby name].
• [He’s/She’s/They’re] are here at last! 
• Beautiful and sweet. Our little girl, soon you will meet.   
•  “Dreams do come true! Meet [name]”
• The cutest little girl stole my heart today.
•  “[Older child’s name] would like to announce [his/he] new little [sister/brother]. Introducing [name]
• The family tree gained another branch.
• Two new feet are making sweet footprints on our hearts.
• Filling our hearts with smiles and giggles. 
•  Can you believe the time has come? Welcome, our sweet little son.
• We no longer must wait. They are here; it’s time to celebrate!
• Help us welcome our sweet new addition. Baby [name] has arrived.
• We’ve finally entered parenthood! [baby name] came into the world today.
• For all the things my hands have held, the best by far is you.
  

The post Birth Announcement Ideas, Captions, and Etiquette appeared first on The Mabelhood.

I scoured dozens YouTube videos and blogs posts before having my first baby for lists of what to pack in a hospital bag and we ended up bringing two huge duffel bags to the hospital of stuff I was told I would “need”. The reality? Those bags sat completely untouched the whole time we were there. So, when I had my second baby, I packed one small little gym bag with JUST the essentials. It was easy to transport and easy to unpack once I was home again.

I’m not a high-maintenance gal. When I have a baby, I leave the hospital in my adult diaper and sweatpants. I am not putting on makeup or doing my hair. I am not accessorizing. I am not dressing the baby in a cute and well-planned outfit or having a hospital room photo shoot. I am not bringing my own hospital gown (why do people do that?) and I am not having someone come to bank my baby’s cord blood or encapsulate my placenta. Truthfully, after the births of both my children, I needed very few things. The hospital provided most of the medical necessities and if something came up that I unexpectedly needed. My husband could just hop in the car and go get it.

So, if you’re a low-key gal like me, read on for a realistic hospital bag list that comes straight from experience.

My Bare-Minimum Must Haves:

Huge, super-comfortable underwear – Buy a pack of soft, cotton granny panties. They do not need to be cute. Bring 2 or 3 pairs in case you need them, but you’ll probably spend all your time in the AMAZING diapers they provide to you during your stay.

Large pads (The biggest you can find) – I suggest bringing a handful, but I only ever used these when it was time to go home.

1 to 2 outfits for the baby and 1 pair baby socks – My babies always stayed unclothed while we were at the hospital. We were either doing skin-to-skin or they were swaddled. I only ever dressed them when it was time to go home. Keep the outfits simple and soft. The umbilical cord will likely stain the onesie and it’s hard to get their delicate tiny bodies into anything too complicated anyways. The hospital will give you a cute little knitted hat for going home.

Warm blanket for baby – To my last point. Don’t bother with sweaters or layers. Just bring a cozy blanket to wrap over them when you head home.

Comfortable pants and loose shirt or sweater – No Kate Middleton exit happening here. You’ll want something loose and soft for your sore, diapered bottom and your now rock-hard, swollen breasts.

Bathrobe – I loved having this for labour when I got chilly and for resting in the hospital bed once the baby was born. Some people bring pajamas, but I just stay in the hospital gown.

Cell phone charger– EASILY FORGOTTEN!

Cell phone and wallet – Obviously.

Camera (if you use one) – Otherwise just have your cell phone ready to go.

Warm socks or slippers – Hospitals are cold and you’ll want something on your feet when you’re doing laps during labour.

Diapers – You really only need a few just in case. The hospital will have diapers for your baby while you’re there.

Baby Soap- Why bring face wash, body wash, shampoo, conditioner AND wash for the baby? I didn’t even shower in the hospital either time! if you DO decide to scrub up, baby soap smells great, is super gentle and multi-purpose. You can use it to give the baby a bath of you want to (although the hospital will provide soap for that, too)

Hair tie/brush – This was the extent of my hospital beauty routine. I brushed out my post-labour rat’s nest and put my hair up out of my face.

Comfortable, roomy sports bra or nursing bra – As your milk comes in your breasts will change in size and believe me, you won’t want to be squeezing them into an underwire bra.

Lip balm – Your lips can get super dry from all that pushing and controlled breathing!

And that’s it! That should have you covered for what you really NEED. Some people bring things like a breast pump, makeup, snacks, music, a blow dryer, a pillow, books, etc, but I didn’t miss any of those items and if I had, it would have been easy enough to have someone go grab them for me. Happy packing!

The post The Low-Key Gal’s Guide to Packing a Hospital Bag appeared first on The Mabelhood.

 We all know a typical firstborn and a rebellious middle kid and a spoiled last child. We’ve probably also seen the comical depictions of birth order on TikTok. How much does our birth order impact our lives? Are over-achievers always the firstborn? Let’s look at birth order and see how it compares to your family! 

 The Firstborn 

 Firstborns are known to be achievers and leaders. They are responsible and organized. They sometimes have a feeling of superiority over others. Often than comes from their role of being the only child being taken away once a younger sibling arrives; because of this, they often get praised for nurturing the younger sibling. This leads to the firstborn’s aim for approval from authority figures to feel their worth. They are often perfectionists who can appear to be controlling. They need to be correct.  

 It’s not all bossy; this 2017 study found that firstborns are more extroverted, friendlier, and have greater emotional stability than other birth order positions. They’re also more nurturing and likely to be world -leaders or in caregiving positions.  

 Studies have shown that firth born have higher academic achievement, but not always because of having a higher IQ level. Instead, they’re driven to succeed. They’re also most likely to become CEOs, upper management, and even most world leaders are firstborn. 

 It’s thought that these traits come from strong parental expectations of the firstborn, combined with stricter parenting and an expectation that they act as a role model to younger siblings.

 Firstborns are the rock.

 The Middle Child 

The middle child is stuck between two siblings, neither the leader nor the baby. As a result, they’re often overlooked and can feel left out. The traits of a middle child run so strong that it’s coined the name ‘Middle Child Syndrome’ Not only do middle children lose the status of being the baby, but they need to compete with both siblings. This often leaves them feeling neglected, which may be why the traits of the middle child are that they’re usually more impatient and boisterous. Some studies say that the rebellious middle child is more likely to be involved in delinquent behavior than their siblings.  

 They’re less likely to be family-oriented and form a close bond with their parents. For example, one study showed middle child is less likely to talk to their parents about sex education. 

Because the middle child is often caught in-between siblings, they’re a more natural negotiator, have a more easy-going personality, and are more generous. It’s also believed because they often need to fend for themselves, it makes them more resourceful and resilient. They thrive in open office environments. They are great team players, like to be surrounded by friends, and often hold the group together. They like to get behind a cause, and fight for what they believe in. 

 They put others first. 

 The Youngest   

 The youngest child is often the most creative, spontaneous, and rebellious. They’re often the class clown. 

 They take on little responsibility and have not dealt with strict rules or expectations. The parenting has become more confident by the youngest, so the rules have been relaxed. They’re babied and therefore don’t need to take on hard work, so they’re said to give up more quickly. They have had many people do things for them all their lives, and they often struggle as adults to complete tasks without someone stepping in to assist. They are faster to reach developmental milestones (believed to keep up with older siblings). The youngest is more likely to be self-employed, even without entrepreneurial parents. They’re more creative. They’re also more likely to take risks.

 “Youngests, above all else, will blow your mind.”

 Birth order study: It’s about time

Some findings on the birth order theory state that it all comes down to the amount of time spent with each child. And while parents may dispute that and claim they spend equal time with their kids, it isn’t about day-to-day quality time. Instead, it’s referring to the overall time spent with each child between the 4th and 14th birthday. As families age, the amount of time spent as a family decreases. Therefore the younger children get less time with parents.

Studies on birth order often contradict themselves. Although it’s fun to read about and compare within our own family, ultimately, it is still a theory, and our outcomes are determined by so much more (family structure, socio-economic status and so much more) than just birth order. 

Sibling Rivalry?
Looking for name labels for multiple kids to calm the siblings fighting over who owns what? Mabel’s Labels has a Split Name Label Pack! 

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