As a new mom (again!), I was fully prepared for waking up all through the night to feed my new baby, change her, and remind her that I was there and she was safe. There is no tired like getting up all night long tired, but, after my first baby, and seeing how fast those moments really do fade into memories, I have enjoyed night time snuggles and know that it won’t be many weeks before those little ones are sleeping until morning.
Enjoying them and wanting them to continue are fully two different things, however. I am cautious what new and improved products I will use for sleep, because #safetyfirst. But, when I saw an advertisement for NestledBean, I was intrigued. Mostly because it was a swaddle wrap and/or sleep sack, which we already use and love, with a twist. With portions of it lightly weighted to mimic mom (or dad)’s touch. Although Ava Kate was already a wonderful sleeper- she still liked to feel me close by to get her best sleep. I read and researched and thought about it for several days before I decided to order and give it a try. We got the swaddle- and it is super sweet, soft, and a perfect swaddle for bedtime. And Miss Houdini can’t work her way out of it, like she can my swaddles (and I’m pretty amazing at swaddling, so that says something for her skills!)
THE NESTED BEAN STORY
It all started with a baby boy who wouldn’t sleep unless his mom had her hand on his chest. That mom was Manasi Gangan, the founder of Nested Bean.
Guided by a mother’s intuition and driven to help her baby, she created a garment of sorts that simulated the pressure of her touch with lightly weighted parts. Slowly her little one started to drift off and stay asleep apart from her.
After witnessing similar results with other babies using an early product model, Manasi realized that she just had to spread this simple idea to other mothers in need.
She had discovered that harnessing the power of a mother’s touch is an essential part of soothing new arrivals, aiding their transition from the womb into the world.
In fact, as it turns out, simulated touch is so powerful that it is used on pre-term babies in NICUs to calm them, boost their socio-emotional development and bolster their immune systems.
Manasi gathered a team of professionals from engineering, juvenile product design, retail and marketing. They began by meeting with pulmonary cariologists, researchers and child safety experts in order to gather as much research as they could on infant sleep issues, touch therapy and sleep safety. Then they set about applying these principles to the creation of the Zen Swaddle, the only swaddle to truly feel like a parents embrace.
DESIGN
The lightly weighted and adjustable Zen Swaddle from Nested Bean allows your baby to feel like they are sleeping in your arms. Your reassuring touch can signal comfort, security and love to your baby, allowing them to calm and sleep peacefully; the weighted Zen Swaddle duplicates that sensation.
Based on the medically proven benefits of touch, the Zen Swaddle includes lightly weighted areas on both the center (where your palm would go) and sides (where your arms would go) to simulate the feeling of being held. Moms who have used the Zen Swaddle Blanket say their babies get up to two additional hours of nighttime sleep within one to three nights.
SIZING
Two sizes in one lasts twice as long – a small interior to keep your baby’s legs snug during the first few weeks; the extra-long sack provides additional leg room as your baby grows from 0-6 months.
MATERIAL
Made from 100% luxuriously soft cotton for your baby’s tender skin, it is washer and dryer safe. The weighted pads are filled with non-toxic poly beads, the same as you find in children’s stuffed toys.
SAFETY
The Zen Swaddle exceeds safety standards. It has passed 12 mandatory and 7 voluntary tests. All materials are BPA, toxic and Phthalate free.
I am not easily impressed, and I don’t like a lot of fluff. If it isn’t a necessity, I am usually ok without it. I’m pretty darn impressed with our Zen Swaddle, and am excited to try new products with this technology.
Nestledbean has an affiliate program, which rewards you for sharing. You guys know I love to share things I love, and so far, I love Nestledbean. Our affiliate link is here and I would be happy to tell you more about our experience so far.
The Brooks Family 