It’s All About A Good Recipe: May 2025

Baby Swaddles

I have been a night nanny for over 12 years now and I have night nannied for over 30 babies and 6 of those were sets of twins. Every baby is different in their own unique way and some are easy peasy and others are not as easy but all so precious.

I realize this isn’t a “Recipe for Food” it’s more of a recipe for finding the right Baby Swaddle! There are so many out there to choose from, these are my favorites.

I am a huge believer in a sleep swaddle up to the age of 3 months however there are some babies who just get so strong they can waddle their self out of a swaddle! Some can do this even at 2 months old it’s like a game for them…..can I get out!

Trying to wiggle out disturbs their sleep so they never really get into that deep sleep or maybe they were in a deep sleep and woke up and now they are like oh, let me try to get out!

I have some favorite swaddles that I’ll list below but I came across

this swaddle The Swaddelini, honestly just this last year and it is amazing!

A Mom created it and it takes out the struggle of a baby trying to ease out of a regular swaddle. They look so peaceful in the Swaddelini and look so natural with their arms at their side.

If it’s a little boy I always say “he looks like a little man in this”!

You do have to get the right size because if it’s too big they can move their arms up some.

And there is no Velcro so no noises in the middle of the night changing their diaper! You know that noise, the one were you just fed them then they peed or pooped and you go to change their diaper and that Velcro noise wakes them up sometimes!

There is an opening at the end of the Swaddelini so you can change them without having to take it totally off.

Introducing The Swaddelini!

www.swaddelini.com

It truly works wonders, my #1 pick for sure!

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This Halo is a great sleep sack swaddle with sizes from a premie to 6 months old. Has a 3 no-fuss steps to swaddle.

www.halosleep.com

When your baby gets older and you would like their arms out, this swaddle allows you to do so with ease.

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For a baby transitioning out of a regular swaddle I suggest the

Merlin Magic Sleepsuit.

For 3-9 month olds, they look so cute in these because they can’t really move their arms which helps them stay still. They kinda look like the Michelin Man! However the older they get in age they can move their arms in it. I like to use this at about 3 months, they do need to weigh at least 12 lbs. I have only used this for a baby up to 4 months because any older I feel with strength they can move their arms to try and touch their face. I’ve actually seen one cutie master it so we switched him back to the Swaddelini and he was back at a restful peace sleep. I honestly wanted to keep the Swaddelini on him but his Mom wanted to use the Merlin since they had it and so we did. His brother did well in the Merlin but his baby brother had so much strength he master it! So again every baby is different even siblings!

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The Ollie

www.theollieworld.com

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Another great Swaddle and one that is a transitioning swaddle, the Ollie. I have used this one many times too and really like it.

It has a womb like feel to it for babies and the fabric is super soft.

The fabric helps reduce the risk of overheating so the baby stays comfortable.

They also have this one for up to 5T so it keeps them cozy throughout the night.

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Love to Dream

www.love to dream.com

This is a good swaddle but they can get their little hands in their mouth sometimes . I know some babies that this worked well for and others that their goal was to touch their mouths, hey at least they are reaching for their goals!

I do believe this works great for naps during the day.

This Swaddle keeps babies nice and warm and when they are in a deep sleep they keep their arms up generally.

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LullaBaby

www. Lullababyusa.com

The Lullababy is more of a traditional swaddle, it has a dual wing design.

Really great for new borns 0-2 months 6-14 lbs.

With this design you know they are secure it’s ultra soft and cozy.

Also has a dual zipper so that you don’t have to take them completely out of it to change their diaper.

The middle layer is for their arms then the outer goes around like a regular swaddle.

Smothered Chicken

I was in Branson, MO recently and my Aunt Carolyn made Smothered Chicken or that is what I call it. The best way I can describe it is Chicken and Rice Casserole with out the rice. I love Chicken and Rice Casserole but the rice absorbs all of the goodness! In this recipe those soups becomes like a gravy, and it's so hearty. I believe the key also to this recipe is that you dredge the chicken in flour then sear the chicken in a pan first which really helps keep those juices in and causes the chicken to become very tender.

Also you add Mayonnaise to the mixture that you pour over the chicken to bake which gives it an even more creaminess to the gravy. You would never know it had mayonnaise in it.

My Aunt who is 89 still cooks quite a bit and has the touch for hearty and delicious food. You know the touch that makes you wonder how did she do that?

I always say when you bite into something that is delicious ask for the recipe because the secret to cooking is "It's All About A Good Recipe, right"! So I asked her for the recipe which she told me without the recipe in hand which are the best recipes. It's really is a simple but so very good recipe to have and easy!

My Aunt served this with Baked Potatoes which went well, when fixed it I made mashed potatoes because I was taking it to a family for them to eat the next day. I thought the mashed potatoes would be easier for them to reheat and the gravy as I call it went well over the mashed potatoes.

I have a 3 ladies in my life that I say, I'm going to be like her when I grow up (even though I'm grown) and my Aunt Carolyn is one of the 3. They are all go getters and all still cook and enjoy cooking for family and friends. All 3 of these ladies are over 80 years old and still cook for groups of people and they are the hostess of the mostess.

My Mom who passed away 3 years ago had that gift for sure, we had people over to eat at our house often growing up. Then many times we would ask her, who is coming over to eat because she had so much food and often it would be just for us. We were blessed for sure that she loved to cook and her food was delicious.

My Aunt Carolyn when most people stop being as active because of age, still cooks meals for 15 plus, drives, has guest stay with her often at her house and has a garden of flowers and a view of the river that most would be jealous of (me). I don't use the word jealous much so I'll say admire, she has 3 beautiful huge peony plants that have an abundance of flowers on them right now and her hydrangeas are about to show off! There are buds starting to form all over the large area of the hydrangea plants. The buds will get so large and are so so beautiful, they are picturesque! Behind them is the upper part of Lake Taneycom0 so that just adds to the beauty.

The thing I admire the most about my Aunt is that she loves the Lord with all her heart and it shows. She takes time with people, she spreads the Love of Jesus to everyone she meets and truly her mission in life is to make sure people know Christ.

Tips:

I will have to say if I know of an off brand that is good I'll buy it but 2 things that I stick with on name brand is Campbell Cream of Soups and Hellman's Mayonnaise.

Because you sear the chicken first it doesn't take as long as most dishes. The chicken is partially cooked from searing, I checked on it at an hour and 15 minutes then took it out at 1 1/2 hours. Honestly the chicken was done when I checked the first time but I left it in there another 15 minutes.

Honestly I didn't capture a very good picture but believe me it's good.

Smothered Chicken

4 Chicken Breast, Skinless Boneless, butterflied

2 Cans of Cream of Mushroom

1 Can of Cream of Chicken

1/2 Cup Mayonnaise

1/2 to 3/4 cup Chicken Broth

Salt and Pepper to taste (I use Lawry's Garlic Salt with Parsley)

Preheat oven to 350

Butterfly the chicken breast add seasoning and toss in the flour on both sides.

In a skillet add oil and sear on both sides, I like to get a little color on both sides.

Take chicken out and place in a pan.

In a separate bowl add the cream of mushroom, cream of chicken, mayonnaise and chicken broth, mix them together then pour over chicken making sure to cover each piece.

Bake at 350 degrees for about 1 1/2 hours.