Patent Publication Number: US-7587769-B1

Title: Swaddling article

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates to articles of dress and clothing for babies and, more particularly, swaddling blankets. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The practice of baby swaddling dates back centuries, and is still common in many cultures. Swaddling involves tightly wrapping a baby securely from shoulders to feet with a small blanket. 
   Swaddling is useful for soothing and calming a fussy baby. Many believe that a tightly enwrapped baby feels secure because it represents a facsimile of being in the womb. Swaddling also keeps a baby warm, which is important because a newborn cannot regulate body temperature as well as an adult. Swaddling also helps newborns sleep longer because it prevents sudden movements that can cause waking. Other benefits of swaddling are also apparent. For instance, swaddling helps restrain a baby&#39;s arms and legs keeping them out of the way of breastfeeding and making the baby easier to hold, and prevents a baby, who has limited control over his arm and leg movements, from scratching himself with his nails. 
   Some babies need to adjust to swaddling in the beginning. Accordingly, babies must be given the chance to become comfortable with swaddling before the practice is abandoned. If a baby does not seem to like swaddling, it is recommended that one or both of his arms be left free. Proper swaddling, however, requires that the blanket fit snugly, but not so tightly as to impede blood circulation. Swaddling usually works well for babies from birth to about three or four months of age. However, babies who are used to swaddling may enjoy it for a longer period of time. 
   Swaddling is, accordingly, best characterized as tightly enwrapping a baby from shoulders to feet with a small blanket. One problem with swaddling a baby from shoulders to feet is that the baby must be un-swaddled in order to change the baby&#39;s diaper, which is frustrating and time-consuming, and which typically causes a sleeping baby to awaken unnecessarily. Furthermore, through normal movement a swaddled baby invariable can loosen the swaddle provided by the blanket and scratch himself with his nails or awaken from sleep. Accordingly, given the benefits of swaddling and the shortcomings of using a small blanket to swaddle a baby, the need for improvement in the field of swaddling blankets is evident. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   According to the invention, an article for swaddling a baby includes a soft, pliant blanket having opposed upper and lower edges, opposed first and second side edges, an outer face and an opposed inner face defining a body-receiving area between the first and second sides edges of the blanket extending from the upper edge of the blanket to the lower edge of the blanket. The blanket is formed with opposed, spaced apart first and second arm-receiving sleeves. The first arm-receiving sleeve is disposed between the opposed upper and lower edges of the blanket and between the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket and the first side edge of the blanket. The second arm-receiving sleeve is disposed between the opposed upper and lower edges of the blanket and between the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket and the first side edge of the blanket. The first arm-receiving sleeve is substantially parallel relative to the upper edge of the blanket. The second arm-receiving sleeve is substantially parallel relative to the upper edge of the blanket. The first arm-receiving sleeve has a first proximal end directed toward the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket, and a first distal end directed toward the first side edge of the blanket. A first flap of the blanket extends from the first distal end of the first arm-receiving sleeve to the first side edge of the blanket. The second arm-receiving sleeve has a second proximal end directed toward the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket, and a second distal end directed toward the second side edge of the blanket. A second flap of the blanket extends from the second distal end of the second arm-receiving sleeve to the second side edge of the blanket. Pacifier retaining structure is formed in the blanket between the upper edge of the blanket and the first arm-receiving sleeve for receiving and retainer a pacifier relative to the blanket. A pacifier includes a nipple, and in a particular embodiment the pacifier is retained by the pacifier retaining structure maintaining the nipple extending away from the inner face of the blanket. 
   According to the invention, an article for swaddling a baby includes a soft, pliant blanket having opposed upper and lower edges, opposed first and second side edges, an outer face and an opposed inner face defining a body-receiving area between the first and second sides edges of the blanket extending from the upper edge of the blanket to the lower edge of the blanket. The blanket is formed with opposed, spaced apart first and second arm-receiving sleeves. The first arm-receiving sleeve is disposed between the opposed upper and lower edges of the blanket and between the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket and the first side edge of the blanket. The second arm-receiving sleeve is disposed between the opposed upper and lower edges of the blanket and between the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket and the first side edge of the blanket. A first pacifier receiving opening is formed through the blanket between the upper edge of the blanket and the first arm-receiving sleeve. A pacifier includes a pacifier body and a nipple attached to, and extending away from, the pacifier body. In one embodiment, the pacifier received and held by the pacifier receiving opening. In another embodiment, the body of the pacifier is disposed against the outer face of the blanket, and the nipple extends away from the inner face of the blanket through the first pacifier receiving opening. The first arm-receiving sleeve is substantially parallel relative to the upper edge of the blanket, and the second arm-receiving sleeve is substantially parallel relative to the upper edge of the blanket. The first arm-receiving sleeve has a first proximal end directed toward the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket, and a first distal end directed toward the first side edge of the blanket. A first flap of the blanket extends from the first distal end of the first arm-receiving sleeve to the first side edge of the blanket. The second arm-receiving sleeve has a second proximal end directed toward the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket, and a second distal end directed toward the second side edge of the blanket. A second flap of the blanket extends from the second distal end of the second arm-receiving sleeve to the second side edge of the blanket. A plurality of spaced-apart pacifier receiving openings is formed through the blanket between the upper edge of the blanket and the first arm-receiving sleeve, and the first pacifier receiving opening includes one of the plurality of spaced-apart pacifier receiving openings. The plurality of spaced-apart pacifier receiving openings is formed in a row substantially parallel to the first arm-receiving sleeve. 
   According to the invention, an article for swaddling a baby includes a soft, pliant blanket having opposed upper and lower edges, opposed first and second side edges, an outer face and an opposed inner face defining a body-receiving area between the first and second sides edges of the blanket extending from the upper edge of the blanket to the lower edge of the blanket. The blanket is formed with opposed, spaced apart first and second arm-receiving sleeves. The first arm-receiving sleeve is disposed between the opposed upper and lower edges of the blanket and between the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket and the first side edge of the blanket. The second arm-receiving sleeve is disposed between the opposed upper and lower edges of the blanket and between the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket and the first side edge of the blanket. The blanket is formed with a pacifier body-receiving pocket disposed between the upper edge of the blanket and the first arm-receiving sleeve. A first pacifier receiving opening is formed through the pocket from the inner face of the blanket. A pacifier includes a pacifier body and a nipple attached to, and extending away from, the pacifier body, the body is disposed in the pacifier body-receiving pocket, and the nipple extends away from the inner face of the blanket through the first pacifier receiving opening. The first arm-receiving sleeve is substantially parallel relative to the upper edge of the blanket. The second arm-receiving sleeve is substantially parallel relative to the upper edge of the blanket. The first arm-receiving sleeve has a first proximal end directed toward the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket, and a first distal end directed toward the first side edge of the blanket. A first flap of the blanket extends from the first distal end of the first arm-receiving sleeve to the first side edge of the blanket. The second arm-receiving sleeve has a second proximal end directed toward the body-receiving area of the inner face of the blanket, and a second distal end directed toward the second side edge of the blanket. A second flap of the blanket extends from the second distal end of the second arm-receiving sleeve to the second side edge of the blanket. A plurality of spaced-apart pacifier receiving openings is formed through the pocket from the inner face of the blanket, and the first pacifier receiving opening is one of the plurality of spaced-apart pacifier receiving openings. The plurality of spaced-apart pacifier receiving openings is formed in a row substantially parallel to the first arm-receiving sleeve. 
   Consistent with the foregoing summary of preferred embodiments, and the ensuing detailed description, which are to be taken together, the invention also contemplates associated embodiments. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Referring to the drawings: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a swaddling article constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a baby swaddled with the swaddling article of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 3  is an enlarged fragmented perspective view of the swaddling article of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a sectional view taken along line  4 - 4  of  FIG. 3 ; 
       FIG. 5  is a view very similar to the view of  FIG. 3  illustrating a pacifier held by a pacifier retaining structure of the swaddling article; 
       FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a baby initially positioned relative to the swaddling article of  FIG. 1 ; 
       FIG. 8  is a perspective view of the baby of  FIG. 7  shown partially swaddled by the swaddling article; 
       FIG. 9  is a front plan view of a swaddling article constructed and arranged in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a rear plan view of the swaddling article of  FIG. 9 ; and 
       FIG. 11  is a fragmented vertical sectional view of the swaddling article of  FIG. 9  illustrating a pacifier held by the swaddling article. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Turning now to the drawings, in which like reference characters indicate corresponding elements throughout the several views, attention is first directed to  FIG. 1  in which there is seen a perspective view of a swaddling article  20  constructed and arranged in accordance with the principle of the invention including a soft, broad, flat, pliant blanket  21  having opposed upper and lower edges  22  and  23 , opposed side edges  24  and  25 , an outer face  26 , and an opposed inner face  27 , which defines a body-receiving surface or area  28  between sides edges  24  and  25  of blanket  21  extending from upper edge  22  of blanket  21  to lower edge  23  of blanket  21 . Outer and inner faces  26  and  27  are opposed, coextensive major faces of blanket  21 . Upper edge  22  is substantially parallel relative to lower edge  23 , side edge  24  is substantially parallel relative to side edge  25 , and upper and lower edges  22  and  23  are substantially parallel relative to side edges  24  and  25 . Edges  22 - 25  are each hemmed in the present embodiment and each has a length, and cooperate together forming a perimeter  29  of blanket  21 . In the present embodiment, perimeter  29  is generally rectangular in shape, in which blanket  21  is overall generally rectangular in shape. In this respect, the lengths of upper and lower edges  22  and  23  are substantially equal, and the lengths of side edges  24  and  25  are substantially equal and much shorter than the lengths of upper and lower edges  22  and  23  as illustrated. Blanket  21  is formed of soft, pliant woven or unwoven material, such as cotton, polyester, fleece material, or the like or a selected combination of such materials or other similar materials. 
   Blanket  21  is formed with opposed, spaced-apart arm-receiving sleeves  40  and  41 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. In the present embodiment, sleeved  40  and  41  are formed at inner face  27 . Sleeve  40  is elongate and is disposed between upper and lower edges  22  and  23  of blanket  21  and between body-receiving area  28  of inner face  27  of blanket  21  and side edge  24  of blanket  21 . Sleeve  41  is elongate and is disposed between upper and lower edges  22  and  23  of blanket  21  and between body-receiving area  28  of inner face  27  of blanket  21  and side edge  25  of blanket  21 . Sleeves  40  and  41  opposed one another, and are spaced-apart relative to each other each being disposed on either side of body-receiving area  28 . Sleeves  40  and  41  are provided to receive the arms of a baby positioned back first against body-receiving area  28  of blanket  21 , in which instance sleeve  40  is to receive the right arm of the baby and sleeve  41  is to receive the left arm of the baby. Sleeve  40  is substantially parallel relative to upper edge  22  of blanket  21 , and also lower edge  23  of blanket  21 . Sleeve  41  is substantially parallel relative to upper edge  22  of blanket  21 , and also lower edge  23  of blanket  21 . Sleeves  40  and  41  are each located substantially centrally between upper and lower edges  22  and  23  of blanket  21 . 
   Referencing  FIGS. 1 and 3 , in this specific embodiment, sleeve  40  is formed by an elongate, rectangular piece of material  50  having opposed upper and lower end edges  51  and  52 , opposed side edges  53  and  54 , and opposed inner and outer surfaces  55  and  56 . End edges  51  and  52  are applied to inner face  27  of blanket  21 , which is also viewed in  FIG. 4 , and are each secured with stitching and/or a suitable fabric adhesive. End edges  51  and  52  are spaced-apart, are substantially parallel relative to each other, and are each substantially parallel to upper edge  22  of blanket  21  and lower edge  23  of blanket  21 . Piece of material  50  extends away from inner face  27  of blanket  21 , and inner surface  55  confronts and cooperates with inner face  27  of blanket  21  forming an arm-receiving channel  57  referenced in  FIG. 4 . 
   Looking to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , sleeve  40  has a proximal end denoted generally at  60  and an opposed distal end denoted generally at  61 . Proximal end  60  of sleeve  40  is directed toward body-receiving area  28  of inner face  27  of blanket  21 , and distal end  61  is directed toward side edge  24  of blanket  21 . An opening  62  into channel  57 , which is formed by the cooperation between side edge  53  and the confronting portion of inner face  27  of blanket  21 , defines proximal end  60  of sleeve  40 . An opening  63  into channel  57 , which is formed by the cooperation between side edge  54  and the confronting portion of inner face  27  of blanket  21 , defines distal end  61  of sleeve  40 . Arm-receiving channel  57  extends from proximal end  60  to distal end  61 , and is to receive an arm of a baby extending into channel  57  through opening  62  into channel  57  formed at proximal end  60 . If desired, distal end  61  of sleeve  40  may be closed. A length L 1  of blanket  21  extends from distal end  61  of sleeve  40  to side edge  24  between upper and lower edges  22  and  23 . Length L 1  of blanket  21  constitutes a flap  65  of blanket  21 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
   Like sleeve  40 , in this particular embodiment sleeve  41 , as viewed in  FIG. 1 , is formed by an elongate, rectangular piece of material  70  having opposed upper and lower end edges  71  and  72 , opposed side edges  73  and  74 , and opposed inner and outer surfaces  75  and  76 . End edges  71  and  72  are applied to inner face  27  of blanket  21 , which is also viewed in  FIG. 4 , and are each secured with stitching and/or a suitable fabric adhesive. End edges  71  and  72  are spaced-apart, are substantially parallel relative to each other, and are each substantially parallel to upper edge  22  of blanket  21  and lower edge  23  of blanket  21 . Piece of material  70  extends away from inner face  27  of blanket  21 , and inner surface  75  confronts and cooperates with inner face  27  of blanket  21  forming an arm-receiving channel  77 . 
   Looking to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , sleeve  41  has a proximal end denoted generally at  80  and an opposed distal end denoted generally at  81 . Proximal end  80  of sleeve  41  is directed toward body-receiving area  28  of inner face  27  of blanket  21 , and distal end  81  is directed toward side edge  25  of blanket  21 . An opening  82  into channel  77 , which is formed by the cooperation between side edge  73  and the confronting portion of inner face  27  of blanket  21 , defines proximal end  80  of sleeve  41 . An opening  83  into channel  77 , which is formed by the cooperation between side edge  74  and the confronting portion of inner face  27  of blanket  21 , defines distal end  81  of sleeve  41 . Arm-receiving channel  77  extends from proximal end  80  to distal end  81 , and is to receive an arm of a baby extending into channel  77  through opening  82  into channel  77  formed at proximal end  80 . If desired, distal end  81  of sleeve  41  may be closed. A length L 2  of blanket  21  extends from distal end  81  of sleeve  41  to side edge  25  between upper and lower edges  22  and  23 . Length L 2  of blanket  21  constitutes a flap  85  of blanket  21 . 
   With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1 and 3 , a pacifier retaining structure  90  is formed in blanket  21  adjacent to sleeve  40  proximate to upper edge  22 , and a pacifier retaining structure  91  is formed in blanket  21  adjacent to sleeve  41  proximate to upper edge  22 . Pacifier retaining structure  90  relates to sleeve  40  and is adapted to receive and retain a pacifier relative to blanket  21  proximate to sleeve  40 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. Pacifier retaining structure  91  relates to sleeve  41  and is adapted to receive and retain a pacifier relative to blanket  21  proximate to sleeve  41 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. Pacifier retaining structures  90  and  91  are identical, and functional attributes of pacifier retaining structure  90  is discussed below, with the understanding that the ensuing discussion of pacifier retaining structure  90  applies in every respect to pacifier retaining structure  91 . 
   As seen in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 , pacifier retaining structure  90  consists of a pacifier retaining flap  101  having opposed upper and lower edges  102  and  103 , opposed side edges  104  and  105 , an outer surface  106 , and, as viewed in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , an opposed inner surface  107 . Outer and inner surfaces faces  106  and  107  are opposed, coextensive major faces of flap  101 . As viewed in  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 , upper edge  102  is substantially parallel relative to lower edge  103 , side edge  104  is substantially parallel relative to side edge  105 , and upper and lower edges  102  and  103  are substantially parallel relative to side edges  104  and  105 . Edges  102 - 105  each have a length, and cooperate together to form a perimeter  109  of flap  101 . In the present embodiment, perimeter  109  is generally rectangular in shape, in which flap  101  is overall generally rectangular in shape. In this respect, the lengths of upper and lower edges  102  and  103  are substantially equal, and the lengths of side edges  104  and  105  are substantially equal and much shorter than the lengths of upper and lower edges  102  and  103  as illustrated. 
   Flap  101  is formed of soft, pliant woven or unwoven material, such as cotton, polyester, fleece material, silk, or the like or a selected combination of such materials or other similar materials. Flap  101  is attached to blanket  21 , is considered an extension of blanket  21 , and is considered part of blanket  21 . 
   Flap  101  is applied to inner face  27  of blanket  21  in the present embodiment of the invention. Inner surface  107  of flap  101  faces inner faces  27  of blanket  21 , lower edge  103  is applied to inner face  27  of blanket between sleeve  40  and upper edge  22  of blanket  21 , and flap  101  extends along inner face  27  of blanket  21  and outboard relative to upper edge  22  of blanket  21  to upper edge  102  of flap  101 , which is disposed outboard of upper edge  22  of blanket  21 . Side edge  104  of flap  101  is directed toward side edge  24  of blanket  21 , and side edge  105  of flap  101  is directed toward side edge  25  of blanket  21  as viewed in  FIG. 1 . Lower edge  103  of flap  101  and approximately half the length of each of side edges  104  and  105  are affixed to inner face  27  of blanket  21  with stitching denoted at  110 , although a suitable adhesive may be used, if desired, heat-bonding, etc. A pocket  120 , denoted in  FIGS. 4 and 6 , is formed in pacifier retaining structure  90 , which, in the present embodiment, is formed between inner face  27  of blanket  21  and inner surface  107  of flap  101 . Pocket  120  extends from side edge  104  of flap  101  to side edge  105  of flap  101 , and from lower edge  103  of flap  101  to upper edge  22  of blanket  21  between upper and lower edges  102  and  103  of flap  101 . An opening  121  into pocket  120  from inner face  27  of blanket  21  is also formed in pacifier retaining structure  90 , and in this instance is formed between upper edge  22  of blanket  21  and inner surface  107  of flap  101 , and extends from adjacent to side edge  105  of flap  101  to side edge  105  of flap  101 . Flap  101 , and pocket  120  and opening  121  formed between upper edge  22  of blanket  21  and sleeve  40 , are parallel relative to sleeve  40 , oppose sleeve  40  and extend between proximal and distal ends  60  and  61  of sleeve  40 , according to the principle of the invention. 
   Referencing  FIGS. 1 ,  3 , and  5 , a plurality of equally spaced-apart openings  123  are formed through flap  101 , which are arranged in a row  124  between upper and lower edges  102  and  103  of flap  101 . Row  124  of openings  123  extends from adjacent to side edge  104  to adjacent to side edge  105 , opposes and is disposed proximate to upper edge  22  of blanket  21 , and is substantially parallel relative to sleeve  40  and to upper edge  22  of blanket  21 . Openings  123  each extend through flap  101  from outer surface  106  to inner surface  107  opposing inner face  27  of blanket  21 , and communicate with pocket  101  formed between inner surface  107  of flap  101  and inner face  27  of blanket  21 . In the present embodiment there are five openings  123 , and less or more may be employed in other embodiments as may be desired. 
   As previously mentioned, pacifier retaining structures  90  relating to sleeve  40  is adapted to receive and retain a pacifier relative to blanket  21 . In  FIG. 6  there is seen a conventional and well-known and readily available pacifier  130  consisting of a broad pacifier base or body  131  having opposed inner and outer faces  132  and  133 , and a nipple  134  attached to body  131 , which extends outwardly and away from inner face  132  of body  131 . To apply pacifier  130  to pacifier retaining structure  90  in accordance with the principle of the invention, pacifier  130  is taken up, such as by hand, and is inserted into pocket  120  through opening  121  directing outer face  133  toward inner face  27  of blanket  21  and inner face  132  toward inner surface  107  of flap  101 . Nipple  134  is, in turn, directed into and through one of openings  123 , as viewed in  FIG. 5 , in which nipple  134  projects away from inner face  27  of blanket  21  and outer surface  106  of flap  101  so as to be easily taken in by mouth. In  FIG. 5  nipple  134  is directed through the central one of openings  123 , and yet pacifier  130  may be located elsewhere in pocket  120  for locating nipple  134  relative whichever one of openings  123  one may desire along the length of flap  101  from side edge  104  to side edge  105 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
   Swaddling article  20  is used to swaddle a baby, such as baby  140  illustrated in  FIGS. 2 ,  7 , and  8 . As a matter of reference and understanding, baby  140  is generally representative of a human baby ranging in age from newborn to approximately three to four months of age. To swaddle baby  140 , swaddling article  20  laid out flat onto a supporting surface, such as the surface of a bed or changing table or floor or other selected supporting surface, directing outer surface  26  against the supporting surface directing inner face  27  of blanket  21  outwardly and upwardly as illustrated in  FIG. 7 . Next, baby  140  is carefully taken up, such as by the hands of parent or caregiver, and is laid back first against body-receiving area  28  of inner face  27  of blanket  21  between proximal ends  60  and  80  of sleeves  40  and  41 , in which head  143  of baby  140  extends upwardly relative to upper edge  22  of blanket  21  and waist  144  of baby  140  is located along lower edge  23  of blanket  21  such that the baby&#39;s legs extend downwardly and away from lower edge  23  of blanket  21 . Body-receiving area  28  of inner face  27  formed between proximal ends  60  and  80  of sleeves  40  and  41  is sufficiently large to accommodate baby  140  between proximal ends  60  and  80  of sleeves  40  and  41 . At this point, left arm  141  of baby  140  is inserted into sleeve  40  through proximal end  60 , and right arm  142  of baby  140  is inserted into sleeve  41  through proximal end  80 . As viewed in  FIG. 7 , sleeves  40  and  41  are each sufficiently long so as to prevent the hands of baby  140  from extending outwardly from distal ends  61  and  81  of sleeves  40  and  41 , respectively. 
   To complete the swaddling process in this particular example with reference to  FIG. 8 , flap  65  formed proximate side edge  24  of blanket  21  is taken up and snuggly wrapped over the front of baby  140  drawing inner face  27  of blanket  21  extending from proximate area  28  to side edge  24  across baby&#39;s  140  chest and belly between baby&#39;s  140  head  143  and waist  144  and flap  65  is tucked underneath the back of baby  140  between the back of baby  140  and body-receiving area  28  of inner face  27  of blanket  21 , in which the chest and belly of baby  140  is covered by blanket  21  from his head  143  to his waist  144  and left arm  141  ( FIG. 7 ) of baby  140  is, in turn, drawn across the front of baby  140 . In  FIG. 8  it is seen that blanket  21  extends along the front of baby  140  from upper edge  22  drawn along the bottom of baby&#39;s  140  head  144  to lower edge  23  drawn along baby&#39;s  140  waist  145 , in which the location of pacifier retaining structure  90  as herein specifically described is such that it is, in turn, drawn across the region of baby&#39;s mouth  146  referenced in  FIG. 7 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. By tucking in flap  65  underneath the back of baby  140  between the back of baby  140  and body-receiving area  28  of inner face  27  of blanket  21 , left arm  141  of baby  140  held in sleeve  40  is restrained across the front of baby  140  in turn locating pacifier retaining structure  90  along the region of baby&#39;s  140  mouth  146 . 
   At this point, flap  85  formed proximate side edge  25  of blanket  21  is taken up and snuggly wrapped over the front of baby  140  drawing inner face of blanket  21  extending from proximate area  28  to side edge  25  across baby&#39;s  140  chest and belly across blanket  21  previously snuggly wrapped about baby  140  and flap  85  is tucked underneath the back of baby  140  along outer face  26  of blanket  21  extending across the baby&#39;s  140  back, in which the chest and belly of baby  140  already covered by blanket  21  is again covered by blanket  21  and right arm  142  of baby  140  is, in turn, drawn across the front of baby  140  relative to baby&#39;s  140  left arm  141  thereby swaddling baby  140  as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . By tucking in flap  85  underneath the back of baby  140 , right arm  142  of baby  140  held in sleeve  40  is restrained across the front of baby  140  relative to baby&#39;s left arm  141 . To un-swaddle baby  140 , the foregoing operation described to swaddle baby  140  need only be reversed. 
   Because the location of pacifier retaining structure  90  as herein specifically described is such that it is drawn across the region of baby&#39;s mouth  146  ( FIG. 7 ) when baby  140  is swaddled with swaddling article  20  as herein described, a pacifier, such as pacifier  130 , received and retained by pacifier retaining structure  90  as previously described not only retains pacifier  130  preventing it from falling away from blanket  21 , but also presents nipple  134  (illustrated only in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ) of pacifier  130  relative to baby&#39;s mouth  146  allowing baby  140  to take in nipple  134  of pacifier  130  by mouth at will. Should baby  140  spit out nipple  134  of pacifier  130  received and retained by pacifier retaining structure  90 , the provision of pacifier retaining structure  90  retaining pacifier  130  relative to blanket  21  inhibits pacifier  130  from dislodging and falling away from blanket  21 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. Also, the soft, pliant characteristic of flap  101  provides a comfortable, soft presentation against the region of the baby&#39;s mouth  146 . 
   Openings  123  extending in row  124  across flap  101  of pacifier retaining structure  90  from side edge  104  of flap  101  to side edge  105  of flap  101  define different pacifier receiving locations of pacifier retaining structure  90  across flap  101  from side edge  104  to side edge  105 . The different pacifier receiving locations defined by openings  123  accommodates babies of varying sizes and subtle variations in how a parent or caregiver may swaddle a baby with swaddling article  140 , and allows a parent or caregiver the freedom to locate a pacifier relative to any one of openings  123  across the length of flap  101  for locating the pacifier at various locations along the length of flap  101  from side edge  104  to side edge  105  for ensuring the pacifier is registered relative to the baby&#39;s mouth when the baby is swaddled by swaddling article  20 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
   As previously mentioned, pacifier retaining structure  91  is identical in every respect to pacifier retaining structure  91 . Accordingly, to utilize pacifier receiving structure  91  in the same manner as pacifier receiving structure  90  baby  140  may be swaddled by first wrapping flap  85  about baby  140  and then flap  65 , thereby presenting pacifier retaining structure  91  relative to baby&#39;s  140  mouth  146 . Furthermore, because sleeves  40  and  41  are each sufficiently long so as to prevent the hands of baby  140  from extending outwardly from distal ends  61  and  81  of sleeves  40  and  41 , respectively, baby  140  is prevented from scratching himself with his fingernails while swaddled with swaddling article  20 . 
   After being swaddled with swaddling article  20 , it is to be noted that the bottom and legs of baby  140  remain unrestrained as clearly illustrated in  FIG. 2 . As a result, the baby&#39;s  140  diaper may be easily changed as needed without having to un-swaddle baby  140  from swaddling article  20 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
   In swaddling baby  140  with swaddling article  20 , flap  65  may be tucked under baby&#39;s  140  right arm  142  or over baby&#39;s  140  right shoulder. Should flap  85  be tucked first, flap  85  may be tucked under baby&#39;s  140  left arm  141  or over baby&#39;s  140  left shoulder. 
   The invention has been described above with reference to a preferred embodiment, and those having regard for the art will readily appreciate that an exemplary swaddling article  20  is disclosed, which is easy to use, easy to construct, and in use provides for the efficient swaddling of a baby and efficiently retains a pacifier relative to the baby&#39;s mouth, which may be taken by the baby by mouth at will. Those skilled in the art will recognize that changes and modifications may be made to the embodiment without departing from the nature and scope of the invention. As a matter of example,  FIGS. 9 and 10  illustrate front and rear plan views, respectively, of a swaddling article  200  constructed and arranged in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention. In common with swaddling article  20 , swaddling article  200  shares blanket  21  including upper edge  22 , lower edge  23 , side edges  24  and  25 , outer face  26  ( FIG. 10 ), inner face  27  ( FIG. 9 ), area  28  ( FIG. 9 ), and sleeves  40  and  41 . In the embodiment of swaddling article  200 , rows  124  of openings  123  of pacifier retaining structures  90  and  91 , although positioned relative to sleeves  40  and  41  in exactly the same manner as with swaddling article  20 , row  124  of openings  123  relating to sleeve  40  are formed through blanket  21  from outer face  26  ( FIG. 10 ) to inner face  27  ( FIG. 9 ) between upper edge  22  and sleeve  40 , and row  124  of openings  123  relating to sleeve  41  are formed through blanket  21  from outer face  26  ( FIG. 10 ) to inner face  27  ( FIG. 9 ) between upper edge  22  and sleeve  41 . In the present embodiment, pacifier retaining structures  90  and  91  lack pockets. To retain a pacifier, such as pacifier  130 , pacifier  130  is simply received and held by one of openings  123 . In particular, and with respect to each opening  123  of pacifier retaining structures  90  and  91  of swaddling article  200  as illustrated in  FIG. 11 , pacifier  130  is taken up, such as by hand, and nipple  134  is inserted through the selected opening  123  from outer face  26  of blanket  21  to inner face  27  of blanket  21  bringing inner face  132  of body  131  against outer face  26  of blanket  21 , in which nipple  134  extends through and is retained by the designated opening  123  and projects outwardly away from inner face  27  of blanket  21  so as to be easily taken in by mouth. Other than the designated differences between the pacifier retaining structures of swaddling articles  20  and  200 , the use and function of swaddling article  200  is identical in every respect to swaddling article  20 . 
   There are some pacifiers that have a handle that is attached to and extends rearwardly relative to the pacifier base or body. One such pacifier is offered under the exemplary SOOTHIE® trademark, and there may be others. The SOOTHIE® pacifier, as a matter of example, is a premium pacifier designed for newborns and babies without teeth who are successfully bottle or breastfeeding. The SOOTHIE® pacifier has a one-piece construction adheres to the American Academy of Pediatrics guidelines. If desired, the outer face of the base of such a pacifier or other similar pacifier may be presented against inner face  27  of blanket  21  of swaddling article  200  and the handle thereof passed into and through one of openings  123 , relating either to pacifier structure  90  or pacifier structure  91  as may be desired, so as to retain the pacifier relative to blanket  21  of swaddling article  200 , in accordance with the principle of the invention. 
   Various further changes and modifications to the embodiments herein chosen for purposes of illustration will readily occur to those skilled in the art. To the extent that such modifications and variations do not depart from the spirit of the invention, they are intended to be included within the scope thereof.