If there’s one thing I really enjoy doing, it’s making birth announcements…for my kids, for other people’s kids, it doesn’t matter. (After all, that is the business I’m in!) There is something about those new snuggly little babies. When Amy came over and did B’s newborn pictures, B did NOT want to go to sleep. Like at all. She ate, she filled her diaper and she ate again, but she never slept.
On a whim, I ran upstairs and grabbed an Aden & Anais bamboo swaddle blanket. I had always heard how nice they were, but never had one with the older three girls. I wrapped her up in the swaddle blanket and wanted to wrap myself up in it. The bamboo is so very soft and luxurious right out of the package.
B agreed. She didn’t fall asleep, but just sort of relaxed there and Amy got the perfect shot!
I never imagined that would be the one that would be her birth announcement, but as soon as I saw her little face and body wrapped up in that beautiful aqua color, I knew that.was.it.
These swaddles are so versatile. I also use them as a blanket in the carseat to keep her warm and tucked in. And I keep one in the diaper bag to use as a nursing cover.
I’ve never been good with covers that are made specifically for breastfeeding, but I do find that I sometimes prefer to be covered.
Aden and Anais Muslin Swaddle Blanket as a Nursing Cover
And, I thought I would share this handy tip, too.
Find a corner and tie a knot in it.
Wrap it around the back of your neck to the opposite site you are going to nurse on and tuck it under your bra strap or nursing tank, etc.
Then, spread it out over the opposite shoulder and it covers you from front to back.
No belly sticking out, no breast exposed and you won’t feel any drafts.
If you need to switch sides, just remove it and put it on the opposite site and repeat.
As N would say “easy peasy, lemon squeezy!”
Swaddle blanket. Carseat cover. Regular blanket. Nursing cover.
The Aden & Anais Swaddle blanket has many uses.
Check out these 11 Ways to Use Muslin Swaddle Blankets that I’ve put together. I’m sure you can guess one of them!
Krystyn has been blogging since 2005. She is a sarcasm-loving, straight-shooting, jeans and t-shirts wearing, wife and mom of four girls (ages 12, 10, 7 and 5). She blogs about life as a mom and wife and includes funny stories, family travel, fitness, recipes, STEM and more. She currently resides in the Atlanta, Georgia suburbs.
Robin (Masshole Mommy) says
February 14, 2014 at 3:35 pmAww, good for you. I never did birth announcements for either of my boys. I had their “first” pictures done, but not an actual announcement. I let people come to me to see them in person if they wanted to 🙂
Emily says
February 14, 2014 at 4:23 pmI love A&A blankets. As we sit eating our lunch Logan has one draped over her car seat. Thanks for the nursing cover up tutorial…I’ve used it several times and it’s so easy peasy lemon squeezy! I love that N likes the word ‘squeeze’!
Chelsea says
February 14, 2014 at 4:29 pmI am a graphic designer so I absolutely will be creating birth announcements when I have kids! Yours are soooo cute! It helps that she is just adorable 🙂
Meghan @Jamonkey says
February 14, 2014 at 6:19 pmThis thing looks awesome and easy to store
Amy @ Marvelous Mommy says
February 14, 2014 at 6:23 pmSo so so cute! I love how you did the announcements! Love the nursing cover tutorial too! Pinning it now!
Alesha @ Full Time Mama says
February 14, 2014 at 7:18 pmI wish I would have had these blankets when my kids were young; I love the look of them and I keep hearing raving reviews!
Your announcement is absolutely adorable, and I agree, that photo is just perfect! Congrats on your little one; you have a beautiful family!
Mandy@ TheHouseholdHero.com says
February 14, 2014 at 9:42 pmPrecious photos. Great tip about using it as a nursing cover!
Demetra says
February 14, 2014 at 11:05 pmWell now I want to be swaddled in the Aden and Anais blanket, too. My goodness it look so comfy. The birth announcement is lovely, beautiful family.
Liz @ A Nut in a Nutshell says
February 14, 2014 at 11:35 pmGreat tip on being covered up with nursing! I love the shot you ended up with, and I think your middle biggest looks so much like you in the shot of all four.
Paige says
February 15, 2014 at 5:00 amThat birth announcement is so cute!! One of these days, I’ll be making my birth announcements! Sometimes, I can’t wait for those days and sometimes I can. lol
Susanna Barbee (Zealous Mom) says
February 15, 2014 at 7:12 amI love that her little eyes are open! So precious. All of your girls are absolutely adorable. My husband and I couldn’t have survived infanthood without swaddling. We were swaddling masters.
Kat says
February 15, 2014 at 9:00 amOh my word! So precious! I just love it! What a gorgeous little lady. 🙂
Lindsey @ Redhead Baby Mama says
February 15, 2014 at 9:10 amHonest to goodness, these are Red’s “blankies”. They were our swaddles and nursing covers, nesting blankets, and everything. I LOVE them! Great pick.
Debbie L. says
February 15, 2014 at 9:27 amYour announcements are so cute – her pic is priceless. Shared your post with a friend – love the nursing cover!
Tammy says
February 15, 2014 at 11:43 amI love that color it really does make your sweet baby girl’s beautiful face pop in that picture! I never thought of using swaddle blankets all those ways either 🙂
brett says
February 15, 2014 at 11:56 ami love your baby’s name. and she’s darling.
Bekki says
February 15, 2014 at 3:45 pmWhat sweet children you have! I would like to have an adult type swaddler with all this cold winter weather we are having here. He looks super comfortable swaddled up like that!
Jenni E. says
February 15, 2014 at 5:21 pmI had no idea you could do that many things with the swaddles. My niece has a brand new baby and got one for her baby shower. I’ll have to show her what all she can do with it!
Eliz Frank says
February 15, 2014 at 5:24 pmWelcome Beatrice… You are a beautiful baby and your mom tells me the swaddle is keeping you cozy…. awesome lucky girl! 🙂
noelle d says
February 15, 2014 at 8:24 pmI JUST LOVE that birth announcement!!!
ADORABLE
Janeane Davis says
February 15, 2014 at 10:37 pmThis seems like a nice product to keep children feeling safe and warm. It is nice yours is getting good use.
Rheannalove says
February 15, 2014 at 11:47 pmfirst off, the aden and anais thing..way cool. second, the pictures came out so great! love it!
Amanda says
February 16, 2014 at 10:07 amHow adorable!!! I didn’t do birth announcements for my son and looking back I wish I did.
Autumn says
February 16, 2014 at 10:51 amI love your birth announcement! Your nursing cover idea is genius! Aden + Anais does make a wonderful swaddle blanket. I use my daughter’s ones during spring and summer (and did you know that they now make adult-sized ones?!)
Shell says
February 16, 2014 at 8:29 pmOh, the baby cuteness! I adore that hat! That’s a really smart way to use that swaddler as a nursing cover. I used to try to throw one over my shoulder but it always came down- that knot is genius!
Kecia says
February 17, 2014 at 3:14 amWe have a few swaddle blankets for Baby D, but I never thought about using them as a nursing cover. I love when baby gear can be used in multiple ways — it cuts down on needing to buy SO MANY things!
angela says
February 17, 2014 at 5:11 amcute announcements! love how the blanket doubles as a nursing cover
Sue says
February 17, 2014 at 11:22 amYour kids are so cute! And the pic you chose is perfect!
I love the bamboo material too! I would never have thought it could be so soft.
Jennifer Bullock {MommyBKnowsBest} says
February 17, 2014 at 3:31 pmLove your announcement, it is adorable, also love all the big sisters little B has!
amanda says
February 26, 2014 at 10:58 pmjust the sweetest picture of miss b friend – but you already know that 🙂
Teresa Honores says
February 28, 2014 at 7:33 pmoh what beautiful pictures! love the birth announcement! i love aden and anais swaddles so soft and snug for the baby! did not even think about using it as a nursing cover! Will try it when the baby arrives!
Krystle says
February 23, 2016 at 8:07 amAwesome idea!! My blanket always fell but now I know to tie the knot first and tuck. Thank you!!!!!!