Safe Swaddling for Baby Safety Month {HALO SleepSack Swaddle Giveaway}

{This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations, Sweet Panda!}

I've learned a variety of things about motherhood over the past nearly-five years, but probably the biggest realization that I've come to?

I haven't the slightest clue as to what I'm doing.

Even more than that?

I don't think anyone really does.

No matter if you've had one child or you've had six, every baby is different and what worked with one sure might not work with another. Whereas Big Sister E was content to be laid back and relax in a bouncy seat, Little Sister B needed much more stimulation.

When it came to sleeping, Big Sister E was more easy-going in that aspect as well - read her a book, feed her, lay her down, done. Little Sister B... not so much. So, because of her, I was introduced to swaddling and became a big fan of it. That's why when it comes time to recognize September as Baby Safety Month and the aspects of swaddling safety that all parents should know, I'm happy that HALO Innovations has stepped up to the task.

Founded by a father of four, William Schmid, who spent years researching sleeping environments after losing his daughter to SIDS, HALO is fully committed to providing a healthier and safer sleep environment for children of all ages. As well as their collection of unique and amazing products, their site is filled with information for parents, hospitals and childbirth educations from experts on ways to keep all babies safe.

For swaddling safety, there are two main points to keep in mind: avoiding suffocation and preventing Hip Dysplasia.

Hip Dysplasia is one of the most common conditions among newborn babies, affecting about 1% of North American newborns (around 75,000 per year). According to a recent survey HALO conducted, 82% of parents choose to swaddle, and swaddling improperly can lead to Hip Dysplasia or dislocation. Treatment ranges from wearing a harness or brace to undergoing surgery as these conditions can get worse with age and are linked to early adult arthritis and hip-replacement surgery.

The American Academy of Pediatrics is urging Pediatricians to watch for signs of Hip Dysplasia and dislocation and to warn parents not to extend their baby’s frog-like legs straight when swaddling. There's a temptation to stretch the legs out and that needs to be resisted as babies need to be able to straighten themselves out naturally and gradually. Parents should allow for room in the swaddle – or sleepsack – for baby to bend at the hips.

To find out more about Hip Dysplasia and how to swaddle safely, take a minute to view this video from Dr. Charles Price, Director of the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. Or, for tips on swaddling safely, specifically about avoiding suffocation, this video by Dr. Tanya Altmann, Pediatrician and mother, has great information as well.

Fortunately, HALO makes it easy to start all newborns off right with their SleepSack Swaddle, the wearable blanket with a unique adjustable swaddle that allows for swaddling arms in or arms out for an easy and gentle transition when it's time to stop swaddling. Infants can stay warm and comfortable, while parents can rest assured that their health and safety is in place, as HALO's SleepSacks and Swaddles are the only products on the market approved "hip healthy" by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

When it comes to safety and security, HALO Innovations is dedicated to helping every baby sleep safely. Who doesn't want to support an amazing mission like that?

Thanks to their generosity, one person will be able to start a baby in their life off right just in time for cooler weather, because...

One lucky person will win a HALO SleepSack Swaddle*!

*Winner will have their choice of size Newborn or Small as well as selecting a design for girls, boys or neutral

To enter to win: Tell me about your experience with swaddling (i.e. Was it a lifesaver for you? Never tried it? Etc)

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted).

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow HALO Innovations on Twitter and/or Like them on Facebook.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway.
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

I want to WIN a HALO SleepSack Swaddle for safe and secure sleeping this winter! http://bit.ly/ojdtBJ @thxmailcarrier #giveaway #win

2 Extra Entries (per follow method) if you follow me publicly with Google Friend Connect, subscribe to my RSS feed, subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email, become a fan on Facebook or add Thanks, Mail Carrier to your blogroll.
3 Extra Entries if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries if you blog about this giveaway linking back to this post. Please leave an address where it can be found.

Giveaway will end on October 12th at 11:59pm CST. Do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile, I have to have a way to contact the winner. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed and will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. This giveaway is open to residents of the U.S. and Canada only.

A big thank you to HALO Innovations for providing the information for this post as well as a HALO SleepSack Swaddle for one lucky giveaway winner. The opinions shared are my own and honest and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.