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Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Love to Dream Swaddle UP Original Review

When I was pregnant one of the first things I was told by midwives, friends, family, drs {and even well meaning strangers}, was that I had to swaddle my baby because it would help them sleep. And boy were they right about that. Swaddling definitely made her sleep for longer. The thing they all forgot to tell me is that swaddling is some what of a complicated art form. You need to practice, practice, practice to get it right... and then hope you don't have a houdini baby like I did. Seriously pretty much every single time I swaddled her she'd get out of it within minutes {unless by some miracle she was already asleep when I swaddled her up}. She'd start by poking out a few little fingers, then an arm, then another arm and then it was party time... sleep, what's sleep?

I remember constantly thinking surely there must be an easier way to do this? 

Of course there was {and still is}, I just hadn't heard of it yet. A few weeks later my friend had her baby and when she started sharing photos of him sleeping {as all new mums do}, I noticed he was in this fancy swaddle pouch looking contraption. My first thought was what in the heck is that, soon followed by where can I get one of those for my baby?

Love to Dream baby Swaddle UP original grey xs

After a quick chat with my friend I discovered the awesome swaddling contraption was a Love to Dream Swaddle UP and she got it from a baby shop a few suburbs away. So from that point on I was determined to go get one. However, I was still recovering from my emergency c-section at the time and couldn't drive yet, so I had to wait until I could co-ordinate a lift with my mum. As luck would have it, the day we went to the baby shop they didn't have a Swaddle UP in the right size {I swear this stuff always happens to me}. Instead they convinced me to buy a larger muslin wrap to try and keep her better contained {which I bought because I didn't want our half hour trip to be pointless}, then I went home still annoyed I couldn't buy the Swaddle UP.

What I didn't realise at the time was that I could've bought it online directly from Love to Dream or CatchWhy didn't anyone tell me this? Probably because like me, they didn't know. It turns out it was right at my fingertips all along.

WHAT EXACTLY IS THE LOVE TO DREAM SWADDLE UP?


The Swaddle UP is an ingenious zip up swaddle that allows babies to sleep in an arms up position giving them the same snug feel of being swaddled, but with their arms up they can still self soothe. Without doubt the best feature as far as I'm concerned is that it requires no wrapping at all! Simply put baby in, zip it up and you have a perfect swaddle, every single time. Helle-freaking-lujah.

If that wasn't genius enough, it also has a twin-zipper so nappy changes are quick and easy, no need to take baby completely out. The Swaddle UP design is hip-healthy, allowing the recommended flexion for hips and legs. Using the Swaddle UP also eliminates excess loose fabric in the cot {which is a huge plus for me being an anxious parent} and the covered arm wings prevent baby from scratching their face {no need for mittens, which we all know just fall off anyway}.

But did I mention the best part is how easy it is to use....



By the time I found out all this info though bub was already starting to roll on her side so we went straight to using the Swaddle UP 50/50 which was a lifesaver and a great way to transition her to sleeping bags later. I'm still devastated that I didn't get to use the Swaddle UP Original in the beginning though, because I could of avoided so much stress and frustration trying to contain my little escape artist. I'm definitely getting one for our next baby. {UPDATE: We did indeed get one for our next baby and it was so much easier than wrapping her all the time}.

My friend was lucky enough to use one pretty much from the birth of her son though, so I asked her for some feedback.

What made you decide to use a Swaddle UP?

I was completely useless at swaddling and had seen these previously in a baby store. 3 days after leaving the hospital we picked up a few.

Do you think it helped him sleep better?

He slept really well in them and he slept for longer as he wasn't waking himself up when he wiggled out of the cloth swaddles. We also found we slept better, as we weren't freaking out the cloth swaddles would come loose and smother his face.

What did you find was the best benefit of the Swaddle UP?

It helped Liam sleep longer {and was less stressful for us}.

WHERE CAN YOU PURCHASE THE LOVE TO DREAM SWADDLE UP


The Love to Dream Swaddle UP Original is suitable for babies from 0-4 months {or until they start showing signs of rolling} and retails for $39.95. They can be purchased online from Catch, David Jones, Myer, Baby Bunting and other leading baby boutiques. You can also purchase online from Love to Dream.

Disclosure - I was gifted a Love to Dream Swaddle UP™ in exchange for this post and giveaway, I did not receive payment. As per my disclosure policy I only accept reviews for items we would genuinely purchase and use. The Swaddle UP™ gifted to me is being passed on to a friend from my mothers group who has just had a premature baby. This post contains some affiliate links for your convenience, which means I may earn a small commission at no cost to you, should you make a purchase.

Would you like to comment?

  1. I would love to win this for my beautiful friend who is pregnant with her first! I think there are so many little tips and tricks that you don't know as a first time parent, and anything that helps the bub sleep will help her.

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    1. Definitely, there were SO many things I had no idea about when I first had bub. Anything that helps babies sleep is a godsend :)

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  2. I would love this for my sister. She's pregnant with her second and we'd love a baby in the family that actually sleeps well! So far my two boys and her daughter have been shocking sleepers!

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    1. Oh I hear you, mine did not like sleep at all for the first few months.

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  3. I miss this stage with my babies (they are all so big I would love to swaddle them now but I am afraid they would hit me).

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    1. Funny you should mention that, they made an adult one for fun last year lol https://www.facebook.com/116437915121893/photos/pb.116437915121893.-2207520000.1461052362./842055329226811/?type=3&theater

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  4. I would love to win one, because I am pregnant and would like to use it when baby is a newborn. I just swaddled my firstborn but it would be interesting to compare and see f it does make a difference to sleeping.

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  5. Well i have 2 already (newborn summer lightweight and next size up in winter) and i used them with both my girls.they are a lifesaver as my daughters were both houdinis and always got their hands out of cotton wraps. The love to dream zips up and keeps them tucked in nicely and you know what?... my daughter is asleep in the pink one as i write this ☺

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    1. So good that they come in lighter and heavier versions for different seasons hey.

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    1. One of the best baby products ever hey. I was so peeved I didn't get one in time for bub {but the 50/50 was just as awesome}.

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  7. I'd love to win this for a pregnant friend. She would really love it.
    I think these are a great idea for babies. Not that I could use them in Darwin, because it was too hot, but I liked the idea!

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    1. Yea I can't imagine you would need one in Darwin. I think it's hot enough here in QLD, I don't know how you survived summer up there.

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  8. Those love to swaddle wraps are so cute. My girls looked like little sugar gliders in them :)

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  9. These swaddles saved my SANITY when my little guy was tiny. He hated being swaddled tightly, and needed to be able to move about a bit.
    And they look so cute in them!

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    1. I never even knew about swaddling with arms up until the child health nurse showed me one day {my child who never slept then slept for 3hrs when she wrapped her}. Totally converted me to arms up swaddling. They seem to be so much happier that way.

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  10. Babe #3 is due later this year. I have always used muslin wraps for swaddling. First babe worked perfectly as she was a settled summer bub. #2 always wanted his hands out near his face (thumb sucker) then wanted to sleep on his belly. I saw these when pregnant last time and thought nah we don't need these but the more and more I see them now I think how much easier they could make life be!!

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  11. I'd love to try one of these for our new baby due in June. They look so easy to use when I saw them at the baby show a couple of months ago.

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  12. My daughter was a terrible sleeper until we invested in a Love to Dream Swaddle, BEST INVENTION EVER! Would love one for our new bundle due in October.

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  13. My friend finally had her 1st baby boy on Tuesday and I'd love to win it for her

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  14. Keeps him snug nice and tight
    Warm and toasty so he sleeps through the night
    Great for winter and keeps his hands away
    Give me a Swaddle Up Original any day!

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  15. To stop my little one from flailing his arms when it's feeding time!

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  16. So we know the covers are on, and not up around his face smothering him. Yes, my wife worries a little bit too much, this wil set her mind at ease some what (I hope!).
    - Ern.

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    1. I know exactly how your wife feels, I was so paranoid about that.

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  17. So my baby can feel like as much as a sandwich as he looks

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  18. Ohhh I'd love to win one of these for my third bubba due in July! I had one for my second and it was AMAZING but like a good friend I passed it on when my friend had her bubba, she passed it to her sister etc. So I'd really love to have one again because I know how amazing they are �� (p.s. I like your blog, glad I found you over on insta!!). Suzi!

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  19. It was only last night that I was watching a show on 60 minutes about a mum who conceived quintuplets naturally and she put them in the Love to Dream Baby Swaddles. As soon as I saw them, I knew I wanted one for bub due in July. I remember my son, he was much like your little one, always finding a way to get out of his swaddle and consequently becoming cold and not all snuggly...but that was summer! Considering that this time baby is due in winter, it's essential I find options other than traditional wraps. I also love the design with the wings to support the natural way babies sleep with their arms up.

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  20. Love to dream have the most gorgeous yet practical products going around. The swaddle up is convinient, thanks to the easy nappy changes and its reassuring to know i will get the perfect swaddle everytime, via a simple zip! A great way for bub to learn to self soothe, and it's nice not having to try and keep pesky mittens on, due to the covered arm wings.
    Sarah ellwood

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  21. So I don't have to worry that bub is warm and hasn't kicked the blankets off, I too can sleep tight!
    Eva Kiraly

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  22. I've heard lots of great things about the Love to Dream swaddle from friends its at the top of my baby list for baby number 4

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  23. Janelle StricklandMay 2, 2016 at 6:46 PM

    I've been told they are amazing, and I would love to use one for when my first bub arrives. Anything to make all of this overwhelming process easier!

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  24. My SIL bought our little man one and I and he loved it...so much, i sent husband out to get a back up like emoticon
    Now he is neally 7 weeks and close to growing out of the first 2.
    So would love to win so i have the next size up... just incase he has a growth spurt over night.
    It's bound to happen.. he is nearly grown out of his bassinet.
    Loves being breastfeed

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  25. Love how cozy it looks and love the neutral natural colour love the design and intent, would love one for my new grand niece .......mum deserves the best for her bub

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