Blog — malabar baby

Nothing makes a more soothing color combo than grey and yellow -- and how fitting they’re both Pantone’s 2021 Colors of the Year and colors we at Malabar Baby have been using since Day One! We loved this quote from Leatrice Eiserman, Executive Director of the Pantone Color Institute, “The selection of two independent colors highlight how different elements come together to express a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting, conveying the idea that it’s not about one color or one person, it’s about more than one." Read More

Many of Malabar Baby’s collections feature the 2021 Pantone colors. Our brand isn’t one to follow trends; we keep our designs timeless and classic, but it just so happens there’s a lot of grey and yellow in our palette. Check out our favorites below, including the brand new Peace on Earth Collection. 

Peace on Earth Snug Blanket and Organic Swaddle Collection:

The brand spanking new Peace on Earth collection features peacocks as well as the bird’s beautiful feathers. The inspiration behind this design is today’s children, and our hope is for a beautiful future with more kindness and quite literally peace on earth. The grey and yellow tones make for an everlasting design. Pick up the organic snug blanket in this design for your mini munchkin to cherish forever. As usual, expect four layers of GOTS certified premium quality organic cotton muslin, that’s light and breathable and which gets softer with each wash. 

Hot Air Balloon Swaddle

Your little one will head up, up and away and enjoy the deepest sleep while wrapped in our Hot Air Balloon swaddle. Made of the snuggliest, softest organic cotton, this block-printed pattern will stand the test of time in your mini’s cosy collection.

Snag our Hot Air Balloon swaddle here.

Oia Dresses

Comfy and delicate, our Oia dresses are made of Indian Cotton Voile which is in lightweight and cooling on the skin.  Pick up a matching one for yourself and be #twinning all day long. 

The Oia dress for your mini is available here, for adults here. 

Erawan Towel

Make bath time better and shop for a Malabar Baby towel in our signature Erawan yellow and grey print. One side is made of terry cloth and the other is the same cotton voile so popular on our bedding. You’re tot will be the first to incorporate this year’s Pantone palette into their wardrobe!

Pick up the Erawan block-printed towel here.  

Bedtime Buddies

Tara the Tiger and Mani the Monkey are part of Malabar Baby’s Bedtime Buddy collection: soft toy rattles inspired by nature in Asia. They are Kantha stitched, a type of embroidery popular in West Bengal which is done completely by hand.  It's also a true definition of green design as the traditional form of kantha is about saving scraps of fabric and combining them together to create something magical!  To learn more about how kantha stitching is becoming a fashionable and sustainable tool today, check out the article below: Kantha Stitching by Vogue

Our handmade Bedtime Buddies are available here. 

Erawan Kids, Toddler and Adult Bedding:

Our most popular gender-neutral collection is the Erawan Bedding Collection.  What started as an offering of 1 baby quilt has now grown to a collection that has sheets, loungewear, towels and King size bedding!  Shop all Erawan Goodies Here

2020 has definitely been life-changing for everyone around the world. COVID-19 has been ongoing, putting a strain on medical systems and healthcare workers. We knew we wanted to share some cheer, but, as a small business what could we do to truly make someone smile and feel loved? With the help of some amazing front-line workers who proactively reached out to us, we have been able to share Malabar Baby love at two hospitals in New York. Thank you to Sarita from Bellevue Hospital and Ploy from Harlem Hospital for being such courageous front-line heroes and helping us continue our #smallactsofkindness One for One charity initiative.

We spoke to both of them and heard about their experiences during this trying time. Bellevue Hospital in New York City has been treating patients from all walks of life, and to show them our appreciation, we donated snug blankets to front line workers. Speaking to Sarita, she says, “Working during COVID-19 has been extremely difficult for everyone on the front lines. Going into work everyday with the fear that you might catch COVID-19 or spread it to a loved one is very stressful. Many companies and people have realized the extra pressures healthcare workers have been facing and have donated many items to help alleviate the stress. It’s nice to see that we are being appreciated for all the work we’re doing.”

Ploy, from Harlem Hospital, adds, “I was always worried about getting myself sick and spreading it to loved ones at home. It was a scary experience to witness, especially how quickly and abruptly patients get sick. Luckily, with the pediatric population, the children haven’t been impacted as heavily.”

Ploy continues, “It appears to have returned to normalcy, but we are also terrified of a second wave reappearing. Our advice: continue to wear a face mask, adhere to social distancing rules and simply show your community that you care. These are the most important ways people can help!” 

Malabar Baby’s support is always with healthcare workers around the world who are doing all they can to treat patients during this pandemic. Our hearts go out to all of those who have been affected in any way, and we wish all of our readers and friends well.

We have more swaddles to share and more love to spread, please send us an email, if you know a cause in need: snuggle@malabarbaby.com.

Hi everyone, 

It’s safe to say that the world is going through a strange time right now, and we’re so touched by the current situation. We’re all in this together, experiencing the magnitude of the circumstances. I hope all of our blog readers and our customers are keeping safe and following the social distancing rules wherever you are around the world. We love hearing your updates and have been so moved by some of your birthing stories the past few weeks.

I’ve been in India for just about two months, spending time with my family and little one in Malabar Hill. India has been on a full lockdown for more than 50 days. This time has given me the opportunity to reflect on the importance of family.  We’ve slowed down, learning some patience and gratitude along the way… 

While huddled up at home, Malabar Baby has launched a new print for our swaddles: Marigolds. The flowers remind me of my days growing up in India, and the irony is I’m back here, in my parents home in the middle of a lockdown. It’s reminded me how things come full circle and how important friends and family are. Malabar Baby is also proud to announce that during the months of May, June and July 2020, upon purchase of a Marigold Swaddle, one will be donated to a baby in need as part of our One for One charity initiative.

If you know a small non-governmental organization (NGO) or special cause that could use our help, kindly send us an email at snuggle@malabarbaby.com. I’m amazed at the kindness I’ve witnessed during these difficult times, and I’m passionate about being part of the cycle. 

Finally, I’d like to end on a poignant note with a quote from author Jumpa Lahiri: “Rather than interpret this malady, resist it. Stay home, connect through conversations. Let words become pathways to new spaces. Let them prevail over our isolation. Let them be the air that we breathe.”

Sending you all love and light,
Anjali

Malabar Baby has clients all over the world, and some of them are experts in their own unique fields. As you can imagine, we get a number of questions on sleeping habits and whether we’ve got any sleep tricks of the trade up our sleeves. We may not have the answers, but our Malabar Mama community does! It’s our pleasure to team up with Malabar Mama, Jade Dharmana from The Sleeep Lab to learn about the secret to a good night’s rest. We love how her passion was borne from her own experience with her own children, and how she uses Malabar Baby’s very own wearable sleep bags to keep tiny tots comfortable and in a slumber throughout the night. 

As a mum of two young children, I can relate to any parent who has waved goodbye to the sleep they once knew. I found my calling as a child sleep consultant out of sheer desperation with my daughter Myla, and now I help families all over the world with every sleep challenge you can think of – I’ve seen it all!

There are some absolute game changers that can help you and your little one get a better night’s sleep but before making any big changes (which people often think is the case), we need to get the basics right first.

1. What to Wear

It can be quite hard to know what to dress your baby in. Are they too warm, too cold, are they safe? I always suggest breathable, cotton pajamas, as the fabric will ensure they don’t get sweaty. 

From a safety perspective, it’s highly important that your baby doesn’t overheat and we want to avoid fabrics that trap heat. Zip them up in a sleeping bag over their PJs, and definitely avoid blankets. Blankets are unsafe as they end up being a loose item in the cot (no matter how tightly you tuck it in), and it’s unlikely to stay on bubba because they move and wriggle throughout the night. 

I absolutely love the sleep wear at Malabar Baby because not only are they super safe with amazing breathable fabrics, but the designs are absolutely stunning. The sleep sacks are a staple fixture in my house and my son looks adorable wearing them. They’re made out of 100% organic cotton, and the sleeveless design ensures your tot doesn’t overheat. The design is simple and easy, with large zippers for quick diaper changes that won’t wake your little one, while being big enough so won't fumble in the dark. There's also plenty of legroom for any mini kickers out there. 

2. Naps and Routine

If your baby is older than five months, and their day time sleep is all over the place, there’s a strong chance that their night time sleep will be, too. Stick to a routine, help regulate their body clock and ensure they get enough sleep for their age. It may even be helpful to keep a log, as you might be surprised at how inconsistent their sleep patterns can be.

3. Nursery Must-haves

It can be overwhelming to know what to buy to fill up your little one’s nursery, but there’s no need to spend a fortune. The following is all quite practical, and will make a big difference on your tot’s quality of sleep:

• Black out blinds. The room should be pitch black for naps and night time. When that sun creeps in, the light provides a signal to the brain that it is time to wake up.
• A safe cot with a firm mattress. SIDS guidelines require that there is nothing in the crib (apart from your baby of course!) for the first 12 months. I highly recommend no bumpers, blankets or soft toys.
• White noise machine. Play this all night long and check the decibel range.
• A neutral, clutter-free bedroom for your baby will create the most zen environment for them to sleep. Keep the toys outside, especially for older babies who can become a bit cheeky and want to party instead when it’s sleep time.

4. Get outside!

Daylight - not the artificial kind - is another thing that can help set your baby’s biological clock. This goes for little babies, older babies, and actually adults too, because exposure to light and dark releases all the right hormones to induce sleep and wakefulness. So we want to make sure we’re getting them outdoors in between naps and before bed to really make the most of the day. 

I also ask my clients to get their kids outside to burn off all of that energy they seem to have, which certainly helps build fatigue for bed time, too! 

So, as you can see there are lots of little things that you can do to get your baby off to the right start but if the problems persists, then this is where I can help dig a little deeper into the many factors that can interfere with your little one’s natural ability to sleep. 

Ahhh… we love the pin-drop silence of a sleeping baby! Hopefully, these snippets of info help you if you’re struggling to get your munchkin down for the night. If not, The Sleeep Lab offers an array of packages to match the needs and budgets of parents today. It’s not always an affordable luxury to hire a sleep trainer, but the options available are great and worth considering.

We’re shouting it from the rooftops: Malabar Baby is celebrating its third birthday this December! And as we get older, we’d like to pause and take a moment to reflect on just how far our business has come. Thank you to our customers and our followers who have supported us throughout the years - none of our achievements would have been possible without all of you. 

2019 has seen us celebrating some milestone achievements, including more than 20,000 Instagram followers, stockists around the world and charitable acts of paying it forward. 

Our heart is full and we are taking a moment to cheer about 2019! 

Royal approval

Malabar Baby had a royal stamp of approval from none other than the ever-so-stylish and kind HRH Duchess of Sussex, Meghan Markle. She was snapped looking beautiful and poised while carrying baby Archie who was wrapped in a handmade block-printed Erawan Dohar blanket back in July. We're ever so thankful for inspiring women and new mamas who love to support women-led small businesses like ours! 

Sleepy time made comfy and safe

The biggest launch we’ve had so far this year is our wearable blankets! Sun, rain, wind and snow, there’s a sleep sack for bubba suitable for any - they’re available in both lightweight and quilted materials. Has your mini fallen asleep already? Easy! Snuggle them in one of our wearable blankets, and with a convenient two-way zipper, secure them in so they’re comfy and cozy. A sleep sack is perfect if you have a wriggly worm who loves doing 180° turns during the night and it is the safest way to sleep according to global baby safety standards.

Global domination

Our team has expanded! Malabar Baby is growing, with headquarters in New York, USA. We’ve also got a local presence in Japan at Vauva, in the UAE at Eco Souk, in the Philippines with Philux and Mothercare and exciting launches up ahead in the USA. We are proud to wrap up newborns at Hong Kong Sanatorium & Hospital. And don’t forget, we’re also stocked in Hong Kong at Lane Crawford, which is exclusively holding our king size bedding and loungewear, perfect for those holiday and Chinese New Year gifts. Phew… we’re spreading our wings and wrapping more infants and toddlers in Malabar Baby globally.

Insta-famous

Cheers to three years! We love browsing our Instagram feed (did we mention we’ve hit 20,000 followers?!) and seeing so many wonderful friends and influencers rocking Malabar Baby products, including Aliya and her mommy, Los Angeles makeup artist Tamanna Roashan, Hong Kong model Cara G McIlroy and Sarah Lahbati and her little boys in Manila.

Community

We’re all about giving back to the community in Hong Kong. We’re grateful for our time spent with Mother’s Choice this year, offering support to girls and women facing a difficult decision ahead of them.

We ended the year on a beautiful note with Ayelen, Hong Kong-based photographer and the new moms at Mother's Choice who were faced with the very difficult decision to give their babies up for adoption. So many new teen moms shared intimate moments with us, and we helped document some of their last moments together with their babies before they went their separate ways. It was an up close opportunity for us to see the huge impact that Mother's Choice has on the community in Hong Kong, and personally how strong women are to make sacrifices for the little ones in their life. We look forward to many more memorable moments in 2020 with Mother's Choice and other key impactful organizations.

Wow - that's a lot for a whole 365 days! Here's to a joyous and peaceful holiday season and more milestones in 2020! Thank you for supporting us for three terrific years.