Designed as a practical halfway house between a swaddling blanket and a jacket, Bug in a Rug can be used to keep your baby warm in her buggy or when transferring from the car to home.
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The original Bug in a Rug was a fleece wrap developed in Australia and now available over here from BabyRug. The version I tried out on baby Maya, 6 weeks, was the Summer Cotton Wrap, a 100% cotton cover-up suitable for warmer weather. It’s a soft, light fabric with a hood, enclosed feet and two sides that fasten over your baby’s tummy with a strong Velcro strip. You can do it up with your baby’s arms inside or outside, so it can be worn with a 5-point harness (one which has shoulder-straps, fastening over and under the arms) in her car seat or buggy.
The summer version is suitable for popping on over your baby’s clothes if it gets a bit chillier while you’re out and about. Her feet will be kept warm and the hood helps protect against heat loss (babies lose most of their body heat from their heads).
What we love
Small and light enough to stuff into the pocket of a changing bag, or even a handbag, the Bug in a Rug can be taken everywhere – ideal as you never know when you might need it.
It’s quicker to put on than separate socks, hat and jacket, and will stay put better than a blanket when handling baby. I was surprised that the hood stayed on Maya’s head even though it looked too big for her.
The pure cotton fabric is lovely and soft, and feels good quality. The Velcro strips are large and stick securely so the wrap won’t come undone.
What to watch out for
Swaddling Maya securely in a blanket generally helps to settle her, but the Bug in a Rug doesn’t close tightly enough to have a calming effect. The marketing for the product claims it helps your baby to feel ‘secure’, but the Velcro fasteners on the wrap are positioned to keep the material loosely wrapped around your baby – they can’t be adjusted to tighten it. I tried swaddling Maya in the wrap by tucking one side under her body and pulling the other one tight around her, but the sides aren’t long enough to tuck in securely.
Who is BabyRug Bug in a Rug best for?
Mums on the move with young babies in tow.
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MadeForMums verdict
If you’re out and about a lot with your baby and don’t want extra layers of baby clothing clogging up your changing bag, the Bug in a Rug is worth considering, though it is quite pricey. It fulfils its promise of being a handy cover-up, but doesn’t provide the comforting cocoon suggested.
