Heating pad for babies

Whether as relief for stomach aches, for calming, or simply for feeling good: the uses of heat packs are diverse, and most babies love the soothing warmth. If you don't have a grain pillow at home yet, in this article we will tell you how to easily sew a heat pack for your baby yourself and which filling is best suited for it.

Babies cannot regulate their body temperature as well as adults yet, which makes them more sensitive to temperatures. Dressed properly You protect your child from both overheating and hypothermia. But especially In winter, a heating pad can be a great support , to give your baby extra warmth – whether at home or on a walk in Stroller But not only in winter is the heat pad a practical aid:

• Heat affects many babies a lot. relaxing effect . Used for cuddling, the grain pillow provides comfort, but even feeling the filling brings lots of joy to younger children.

• It can also be make falling asleep easier and for a pleasant Sleeping environment worry. Place the warm pillow in front of the Going to sleep into the crib. Once your little explorer has fallen asleep, you should remove the pillow from the bed, as otherwise the risk of suffocation increases.

• Heat is a proven method to to relieve pain and relax cramps A heat pack can be used for your baby at Stomach ache , Colic , Dental complaints or offer muscle tension. Additionally, a warm pillow stimulates bowel activity and can thus help with constipation.

• Hot water bottles can also be used for a Cold to provide some relief. However, if your baby has a elevated temperature , you should refrain from using it.

Filling of the heat pack

Before you start sewing, you should consider what you want to fill the heat pillow with. Should it be a cherry stone pillow, a pillow with spelt filling, or perhaps one with linen seeds? The general rule is: Fruit pits such as grape or cherry pits generate rather dry heat, while grains and seeds like spelt and flaxseeds release more moisture. The various filling materials can be purchased online, at the health food store, or partly also in the supermarket. Make sure that no grain, seed, or pit is broken, free of pulp, and dried without chemical additives.

The Advantages and disadvantages of individual grains, seeds, and kernels we have summarized for you:

• Cherry stone pillow

The classic filling for grain pillows is probably cherry pits. They retain heat for up to 20 minutes and are quite durable, allowing for long-term use. Some find the rather large pits uncomfortable – a thicker cover can help here.

• Grapeseed pillow

Grape seeds are popular for baby heat packs because they are very fine and thus particularly snug. Thanks to their high oil content, they retain heat for 20 to 30 minutes.

• Spelt pillow

Spelt pillows are filled with spelt hulls, the shell of the grain. Spelt hulls are described by many as very pliable and soft. However, they retain less heat compared to the kernels and rustle when moved. Thicker or additional covers can help reduce the rustling. Additionally, you should keep in mind that spelt pillows, when warmed, have a characteristic smell – whether you and your baby like the scent is a matter of personal preference. :)

• Hirsekissen

A filling with millet is still a little bit more moldable compared to spelt and causes less noise. However, millet has the disadvantage that it gets compressed over time, so you may need to refill the pillow after just one year.

• Leinsamen-Kissen

As an oilseed, flaxseeds are rich in fat, which is why they store heat for a long time. This is also the reason why flaxseed pillows can become particularly hot and often need to cool down before use. The fine seeds conform well to any part of the body. Like spelt, flaxseeds also emit a subtle smell. This is slightly nutty and once again a matter of taste.

Grains, seeds, and kernels gradually lose their heat storage capacity. Therefore, replace the filling approximately every 2 years. If you notice a bad smell, you should immediately change the pillow contents.

Sewing instructions for a heat pad

Here is a tutorial for sewing a heat pack for babies for you. To ensure that your child does not accidentally swallow the filling material, make sure when sewing that all seams are securely closed and there are no loose ends. You need:

• Fabric for covers and filling cushions, e.g. Organic cotton or linen

• Filling material as desired (approximately 200 g)

• Sewing Machine

• Scissors

• Sewing thread

• Tape measure or ruler

• Stoffmarker

• Possibly sewing needles

Here's how:

1. Prepare the sewing pattern

Whether owl, cloud, or rectangle – think about how the final heat pack should look and create a pattern or use a template. In our instructions, we will sew a rectangular grain pillow. Draw four rectangles measuring 17 x 17 centimeters on your fabric – two fabric pieces will be used for the pillow cover and two for the filling pillow.

2. Sew pillows

Place two pieces right sides together (the nice sides should be facing each other). Now sew the rectangles together with an overlock stitch and a seam allowance of about 1 centimeter all around. Leave an opening for turning on each piece so that you can turn the pillows right side out after sewing.

3. Fill cushion

Fill the rectangle intended for the inner part with your filling material. Distribute it evenly and make sure the pillow doesn't become too full. Our tip: Roll a funnel out of a sheet of paper if you don't have one on hand. Now you can close the turning opening with an overlock stitch.

4. Complete the heating pad

Once the filling pillow is securely sewn shut, you can insert it into the pillow cover. Depending on the filling material, a bit of a gentle touch is required here. ;) After distributing everything evenly, the final step is to sew up the turning opening of the pillow cover, and your grain pillow is ready!

Cleaning and caring for your heat pad

Heating pad with Fruit seed fillings can be gently washed by hand or on the delicate cycle of the washing machine. . To prevent mold from forming inside, the pillow must dry for at least 24 hours. The idea of placing the damp heat pack on the warm radiator is obvious, but not a good solution. This method of drying can damage the filling. In You may only wash the pillow cover, not the pillow with grain filling. . For a smaller stain, it is usually sufficient to wipe the cushion with a cloth.

Now it's time to get started with the sewing machine and have fun with the heat pack DIY! By the way, a homemade grain pillow is also a great gift idea for all (expecting) parents. :)