5 Huge Benefits of Wool for Babies
When TBCo. co-founder, Emma, was pregnant she realised it was really hard to find a wool baby blanket, even though it’s such a miracle material that is perfect for newborns. So, we started our Little TBCo. baby blanket range, and they have quickly grown into your (and our) favourite gift for a little one! (PS. if you want more newborn gift ideas, read Top 10 Gifts for Welcoming a Newborn.) And so when Emma's sister, Rosie, recently had her precious newborn, Brody, we were excited to share the gift of wool with them and invite them around to the studio for some photos.
1.There’s no other way to say it, wool is just magic. All wool is natural, hypoallergenic, insulating, temperature regulating, moisture wicking and repellant, odour resistant, stain resistant, self-cleaning, and biodegradable. Let’s just say, lambs really now how to dress themselves, and that’s why we recommend it for your little lamb, too.
SKIN SENSITIVE// Will wool irritate my baby’s skin? Blame it on the cheap, scratchy wool jumpers of our childhoods, but people often equate wool with itchiness. Well, we’re here to proudly say “NOT SO!”
Scratchiness depends on how fine the strands of the wool are, and since we only source the highest quality Mongolian lambswool, it is super soft. Scientists have agreed that a wool allergy is actually quite rare and that if someone seems to be having any sort of reaction to wool, it is more likely a chemical used on the wool. Using organic or eco wool usually solves the problem.
2. PERFECT TEMPERATURE// What is temperature-regulation? Temperature regulation is wool’s ability to keep your baby’s body warm in colder temperatures and cool in hot weather.
Why is temperature regulation important? Up to around 18 months, babies find it hard to regulate their own temperature, especially if they are premature or have a low birth weight. This is due to the size of the surface area of their skin compared to their body weight. Little ones, especially if they are sick or were born prematurely can lose body heat quickly if they are not kept wrapped up. In fact, they need to be kept a little warmer than your average adult. And don’t forget, you can always feel your baby behind the nape of the neck and on the stomach to determine whether they are too hot.
3. PROMOTES SLEEP// By far, one of wool’s most amazing features, it makes sleep more restful as the body does not need to spend energy to regulate temperature.
Moreover, according to this study, premature infants who nursed and slept on lambswool gained weight more rapidly than ones who used conventional cotton sheets. This phenomenon is explained by the fact that the texture of lambswool had a soothing effect on the infants, which led to lower metabolic activities. Swaddled in a Lambswool Baby Blanket which keeps them thermo-regulated at a comfortable temperature, they might even afford you a precious few extra hours’ sleep.
4. SELF CLEANING, HYPOALLERGENIC & EASY TO WASH// This is due to its lanolin (wool fat) content, wool is naturally antibacterial.
As wool becomes moist, some of the lanolin converts to lanolin-soap, which helps keep the fabric hygienically clean! Combining this with it's self-cleaning properties (see the first point), you can begin to understand why wool doesn't get smelly. It smells fresh for ages.
5. ECO FRIENDLY// Wool is the best for the environment, as it is naturally biodegradable and sustainable. Upon decomposition, the material will break down in soil. Furthermore, wool is naturally produced and is available in abundance.
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