When we thought about how to best keep our new baby safely cuddled up in the moses basket we thought about how in hospital, wrapping up the new babies in 'baby Jesus in the manger' type fashion seemed to be the norm.

Whilst we did think it seemed a bit odd to see all the little babies wrapped up like that, the babies did all seem to find it a comfort. We decided to check out what products were for sale that could offer the same type of effect and came across the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets.

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The thing about the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets is hat they are shaped so that its very easy to achieve that lovely cocooned effect, that all the nurses had been able to do, with just a simple flat sheet.

As we didn't have all their years of experience, we felt that the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets offered an idiot proof way to get the same effect, with less fiddling and stress to our baby than if we had tried to get the same result from a plain flat sheet.

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We sound found the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets to be a quick and easy way to ensure we had a nice cocooned and snuggly baby, who wouldn't get chilled during the night.

Whilst it did seem a bit odd at first to be wrapping up our baby like a little parcel, it was easy to see why babies find this way of being supported so very familier.

After all they have just spent 9 months being safely snuggled up and supported inside their mums. So we saw the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets as being just a way to mimic that effect and I have to say it did work very well in the early stages.

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The Mothercare Swaddle Blankets come in a nice selection of colours, from pale blue, to pink, through to lemon and fresh white. They are made from 100% cotton, so should not cause any allergic reactions.

The blankets are specially shaped with arm flaps which do seem a bit odd at first, but these do help to keep a babys arms in a safe and easy position when wrapped up into the blanket completely.

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The blankets are nicely trimmed all the way around the edges so that there are no harsh surfaces that can rub against your babys face. The design of the blankets makes it really easy to make your baby cocoon into just the right shape.

We found that the baby enjoyed the comfort and security of the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets. It was easy to lift the baby out of the moses basket whilst wrapped in the blanket and it made feeding times very easy as the baby was in just the right position.

We also found that when people wanted a cuddle with the baby it was easy for them to hold the baby in the blanket as it kept the baby well supported and and safe feeling. So it was win, win all round really.

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In terms of price, the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets are not the cheapest thing to buy, but they can be washed time and time again and re used with your next baby. Expect to pay £14.99 per blanket if you buy the Mothercare ones as we did. But do look around to see what else is available.

The Mothercare Swaddle Blankets are suitable for use from birth to around the 14 week stage. However you do need to judge this carefully, as once your baby becomes too big and wants a little bit more freedom, its best to stop using the blankets anyway. So this stage may be reached slightly before the 14 week period.

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In terms of rating the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets I feel that they did a pretty good job for the time we used them. We found that due to us having used these, it was easy to then move our baby on to gro bags ( the all in one blanket/ sleep sack type product) so this may be another reason to try this product out.

Because they offered an effective way to make our baby feel so safe and secure, washed well and were easy to use, the Mothercare Swaddle Blankets get a 4 star rating.