Ruskovilla-Baby in Wool - 2018

Baby in Wool

A guide to natural and gentle babycare

ruskovilla.fi

The best natural materials for a baby’s wellbeing

Organic Wool

Organic Cotton

Silk Wool

Organic Silk

Naturally the best for babies When you’re very small, you can swing in swaying hay,

Pregnancy

4-5

rest in a scented flower, when you’re very small.

At home with baby

6-11

Bedtime and sleep

12-15

- Hannele Huovi, from the “Vauvan vaaka” collection

Indoor wear and undergarments 16-19

The Baby in wool guide was written to support and delight anyone who is expecting or caring for a baby. The guide contains practical information on things like ensuring a peaceful night’s sleep, dressing your baby for the weather, and how to use reusable nappies. Ruskovilla is a Finnish family-owned company which has been dressing Finnish babies in natural materials for decades. In that time, we have gathered lots of information and experience of what a growing and developing baby needs during the first year of his or her life. We would like to share our best tips for care, warmth and sleep with you in this guide. Finding the best natural material for a given purpose is one of our areas of expertise. You will find a checklist at the back of the guide to help you work out what you will need for the first year of a baby’s life. Our high-quality products are made in Finland and are safe for little newborns.

Middle layers

20

Outdoor wear

21

Cloth nappies

22-28

Mothers

29

Washing and caring for garments 30-31

Size chart

32

Why choose Ruskovilla for babies? 33

Checklist for your baby’s first year 34-35

More detailed prices and other information about the products in our guide can be found in our product catalogue, published every autumn, and at www.ruskovilla.fi

Treat your changing body and mind during pregnancy

The start of a new life and development from embryo to baby in just 9 months is one of na- ture’s greatest miracles. To make this change possible, a woman’s body produces a large amount of hormones. In addition to physical changes, hormones can also affect pregnant women emotionally as they process all kinds of things. Many common foods and activities are placed on a list of things pregnant women can no longer enjoy. To compensate, it’s worth mak- ing a list of things that pregnant women can do: ways to treat their body and mind as they adjust to pregnancy. Examples include a calm- ing walk in the forest, reading a good book, enjoying a cup of tea with something sweet or caring for their hardworking body with natural cosmetics. You can also indulge your changing body with wonderful materials. Ruskovilla’s range of products contains warmers made from stretchy merino wool, such as knee warmers , waist warmers and leg warmers . These are a non-pharmacological treatment for many joint and back complaints, as well as for rest- less legs.

Although Ruskovilla’s range does not contain any specific maternity clothing, you can still enjoy wonderful natural fibres during preg- nancy. For example, a thin but warming layer of silk wool can be used almost throughout your entire pregnancy due to its flexibility.

More information about our products can be found on our website and in our product catalogue, which is available to browse online or order via our customer services to read at home.

4 Pregnancy

Many women experience the instinct to nest

The further along you are in pregnancy, the more concretely you begin to feel the new member of your family. Many pregnant women feel the urge to nest by the third tri- mester and they begin to make preparations for the baby. Small babies don’t need a lot of material things around them. Warmth, sleep, care and nutrition will be enough for a long time. It’s easier to work out what you need to get for your baby if you think about the kind of life your family wants to live with the new arrival: will the baby sleep in their own cot or with you, will you breastfeed or bottle-feed, and will you use disposable or reusable nap- pies? This will also help you to make your own choices.

T I P : There is a handy list at the back of this guide to help you work out what you need to buy.

Pregnancy 5

Heading home with a precious load

The birth of a baby is always a wonderful moment. Nowadays the majority of ba- bies are able to enjoy warm skin-on-skin contact under their mother’s or father’s shirt immediately after being born. When it’s time to go home, you can dress your baby in Ruskovilla’s wonderfully soft silk wool Newborn set, which includes a shirt, rompers with feet, and a cap. There is a baby shirt with sleeves featuring a fingers-over-twist to protect little hands.

The material contains 30% silk and 70% merino wool, and is excellent for new- borns, as it combines the softness of silk with the warmth of wool. The Newborn set is packed in a beautiful gift box, which can be used later on to store important keepsakes and memories.

For your own baby or as a gift: The Newborn set in a beautiful gift box

THE SET INCLUDES:

Baby’s cap 0-3 mths

Warmth for a good start in life Baby shirt 50 cm sleeves with fingers-over-twist Rompers with feet 50 cm • with cute Ruskovilla-logo on shirt and bonnet • Guidebook Baby in wool (in finnish) and a sample of washing liquid Product no. 4000

6 At home with baby

Premature babies require special care

Each year, around 5% of Finnish babies are born premature- ly, before the 37th week of pregnancy. Premature babies’ central nervous systems or intestines may not be fully de- veloped. They are also more susceptible to infections and contagious diseases than full-term babies. As far as possible, care for premature babies aims to mimic normal development in the womb. Depending on the situ- ation, the parents may be able to talk to their baby, stroke him or her and/or provide kangaroo care against their own skin. For many, breastfeeding is also successful with a pump. Placing a small baby on a sheepskin to rest promotes the development of the baby’s sense of touch. Sensitive skin re- quires gentle and natural materials around it. You can usually take a premature baby outdoors once he or she weighs around 2.5 kilograms. Such small babies have extremely weak temperature regulation, so extra attention should be paid to keeping them warm. Our silk wool baby cap on the adjacent page is also available in a smaller size for premature babies.

At home with baby 7

Swaddling soothes newborns

Swaddling has a long history of helping babies to sleep peacefully. Newborns can be kept swaddled all day long, and older babies enjoy breastfeeding and sleeping in a swaddle cloth as long as their hands are left free. Swaddling is no longer needed once the baby begins to move around. A swaddle should be tied snugly in or- der for the baby to be comfortable. A swaddled baby should be put to bed on his or her side, alternating between the two. You can also carry a swaddled baby in a sling. Swaddling is easy When travelling, a terry towel can be used as a swaddle, but for longer-term swaddling it’s worth using a flannel cloth designed for swaddling. Rusko- villa’s swaddle cloth does not need to be washed before use, but when you do wash it, it’s worth washing it in a full machine load to fluff up the fabric.

Swaddling a newborn

1. Lay the baby on its back on a swaddle cloth, top edge of the cloth above shoulders.

2 . Set the baby’s hand on its chest and turn the top right-hand edge of the swaddle cloth briskly over the baby’s right shoulder diagonally towards the lower left-hand edge.

3. Now set the baby’s other hand on its chest.

4. Lift the left edge of the swaddle cloth over baby’s left shoulder diagonally towards the lower right-hand edge.

5. Straighten the swaddle cloth’s hem, and turn it on top of the baby.

6. Fold the cloth’s left edge through the baby’s back onto the tummy side. Straighten the pleats carefully, so that they don’t press the baby’s back.

7. Take the cloth’s right edge to the backside and thread the last corner into the previous fold.

8. Correctly swaddled baby is a brisk package. Swaddle cloth provides the baby with a womb-like, peaceful sense.

8 At home with baby

Babies develop at a rapid pace

Newborns experience the world with their whole body. The warmer the world around them is, the more comfortable they are. A baby’s sense of hearing develops quite far in the womb, and a baby can recognise his or her mother’s voice. Our natural tendency to use baby talk with our children is dictated by biology: babies enjoy slow, soft and quiet speech. The sense of taste and smell also develop fully in the womb, and a baby can recognise his or her mother by smell. Of the most impor- tant senses, it is only the sense of sight that does not begin to truly develop until the baby is outside of the womb; it is common for a newborn’s gaze to wander and stare. The most essential sense for a baby’s devel- opment is the sense of touch. You can never cuddle, caress, or hold a baby too much. Closeness, warmth and interaction with the parents are important for a baby’s develop- ment. This creates a basic sense of safety for the baby and makes him or her feel loved.

At home with baby 9

Throughout pregnancy, the unborn baby is surrounded by liquid at a steady 37°C in the womb. After birth, the baby’s entire environ- ment changes. Suddenly he or she must adjust to dry air that is 20-22 degrees Celsius. It’s as if swapping from tropical heat to the cool north. That’s why special care should be taken to en- sure babies stay warm immediately after birth. The first clothes matter

Skin is a baby’s most important tool for sen- sing the outside world. Natural fibres which feel pleasant against the skin provide the baby with warmth and moisture protection. If a baby is dressed warmly enough, she or he will not waste energy on maintaining a basic level of warmth, and can instead use all of the energy from nutrition to grow and develop.

If you only want to use natural materials on your baby’s skin, begin with reusable cloth nappies underneath moisture-absorbing woollen nappy pants . More information about these can be found on pages 22-26. After the nappy combination, the baby is dressed in a shirt or body with rompers or long underpants and socks . These outfits should preferably be woollen for newborns. Learn more about Ruskovilla’s range of organic wool baby cloth- ing on pages 16 and 20.

10 At home with baby

A silk cap provides warmth and protection

A newborn’s head should always be protected with a cap. Babies’ heads are large in relation to the rest of their body, and a baby can lose a lot of heat through his or her head if it is unprotected. Ruskovilla’s silk bonnet is great for babies up to just over a year old. This classic bonnet is available in four sizes and colours. The soft bonnet can be used all year round.

Size

White Light red Light blue Green Product no. Product no. Product no. Product no.

0-3 months 2060-1

2066-1

2067-1

2061-1

3-6 months 2060-2 2066-2 6-12 months 2060-3 2066-3 2061-3 12 months - 2060-4 2066-4 2067-4 2061-4 3067-2 2061-2 2067-3

FACT Baby´s Silk hat - protects the newborn’s still-open crown area - provides protection from the surrounding environment´s noises - the gentle surface massages soothingly the baby’s head - adjustable model - if too large for the newborn, the hat can be tied into a knot at the top of the head using a narrow silk ribbon - knitted to a shape, embossed knitting

At home with baby 11

Sleep is important for a baby’s development

1. Cool linen Duvet (Hefel) Filling 70/30 organic Linen/organic Cotton covered with dense organic cotton cloth Product no. 7858-B Size 80 x 100 cm Washing: Gentle machine wash at 40°C 2. Millet husk pillow Cover material of dense organic cotton cloth, millet husk filling Product no. 7880-B Size 25 x 35 cm

Newborns sleep up to 16-20 hours a day, and have yet to form a circadian rhythm. Sleep is very important for babies, as they process what they have learnt while they are asleep. The kind of bed in which the baby spends the majority of his or her first year is impor- tant. Natural-fibre textiles are breathable, which means that the baby’s sleep is not un- necessarily disturbed due to being too cold or by sweating. Ruskovilla’s range includes a silk and an organic wool tricot blanket for babies. The adaptable millet husk pillow can be used for older babies, as newborns do not yet need one.

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12 Bed time and sleep

Tips for ensuring a good night’s sleep

If a baby’s sleep is disturbed, it can affect the entire family. A tired baby is a grumpy baby, and this can easily make adults tired, too. Luckily there are some tips to help your baby get a peaceful night’s sleep:

X Putting a baby to sleep on a sheepskin provides warmth and soothes the baby, especially during the cold season, and many babies sleep longer if they are on a sheepskin. X Swaddling a newborn soothes the startle reflex. Research shows that in addition to settling babies more quickly, swaddling also helps babies to sleep more deeply and for longer.

3. Silk duvet (Hefel) Top layer of dense cotton cloth,

silk vadding filling Product no. 7855-B Size 80 x 100 cm 4. Baby blanket soft organic wool tricot triple-layered, topmost layer decorated wool Product no. 7810 Size approx 70 x 90 cm 5. Swaddle cloth Soft, unbleached ecological cotton flannel Product no. 3720 Size approx. 80 x 120 cm

X Hold and cuddle the baby in the daytime, so that she or he receives enough contact while awake.

X Always feed your baby and change his or her nappy before putting him or her down to sleep.

More about swaddling can be found on page 8.

X The optimal room temperature is around 22°C, and it’s good to keep the room dark during sleep time.

T I P : Research shows that putting a baby down to sleep on an animal skin for the first 3 months can reduce the risk of developing asthma and allergies later on.

X Dress your baby in breathable and sufficiently warm clothing.

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Bed time and sleep 13

Babies’ night times are often action-packed

Babies wake up at night and sometimes keep their parents awake, too. The most common reasons for babies to wake up are stomach complaints, colds, growth spurts and teething. Some babies also sleep poorly after vaccinations. Babies are lively sleepers. They wriggle, puff and practice crawling and standing up, even while asleep. Avoid reacting to absolutely every sound so that you don’t unnecessarily wake up the baby whenever you enter the room. Active babies may throw off their blanket and then wake up because they are cold. If this is the case, a sleeping sack can be a good solution until the baby is around a year old. Ruskovilla’s range includes long-sleeved and highly adjustable sleeveless sleeping sacks.

Baby sleeping sack Product no. 1570 for baby up to 1 year, with adjustable shoulder straps and poppers at the bottom

Sleeping sack with sleeves Product no. 1580 with 2-way-zipper, sleeves with finger-over-twist

T I P : Keep a sleep diary to ensure that your baby is getting enough sleep every day, even if they wake often.

Sizes 50 and 70 cm Size 90 cm (1-2 yrs)

14 Bed time and sleep

A toy to sleep with can provide important security

1. Rattle Bunny Organic cotton Filling corn fibre Size 17 cm Product no. 7007 2. Bunny ears Organic cotton with teething ring size 19 cm Product no. 7011 3. Bunny comforter Organic cotton Filling corn fibre Size 26 cm Product no. 7008 4. Sheep - laying Woollen teddy, Filling wool Size 18 cm Product no. 7002 5. Bunny Soft Toy Organic cotton Filling corn fibre Size 17,5 cm Product no. 7009 6. Sheep - sleeping Woollen teddy Filling wool Size 26 cm Product no. 7006 7. Sheep - staying Woollen teddy, Filling wool Size 20 cm Product no. 7004

A small baby does not yet need toys. Often the baby’s own hands, siblings, and a rustling sheet of baking parchment go a long way for enter- tainment. There is something so endearing about baby toys that few are able to resist them. A baby’s first sleeping toy can become such an important part of a baby or child’s sleep routine that with- out them there can be trouble. It is not unusual for families to store several of the same much- loved toy for when the original is lost or needs washing. A familiar toy also provides a sense of security for children in life changes, such as when beginning day care.

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Soft toys are available from the online store and factory outlet.

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Merino wool is excellent for babies in cool weather

A warm baby is a happy baby. This is particularly true in autumn, winter and spring.

is wonderfully warm in cool weather and breathable in warm weather.

material to use on a newborn baby’s skin. The wool is soft and warm, absorbs moisture, and neutralises secretions. Artificial fibres can never achieve the same results. That’s why merino wool was Ruskovilla’s first material back in 1981.

In cool weather, basic clothing layers can be made up of organic merino wool. The material keeps itself dry and absorbs up to 40% moisture without feeling wet. The heat insulation of wool always works: it

Although there are many kinds of wool, Ruskovilla has chosen thin, long-fibred and soft organic merino wool for its baby clothing, because unlike other wools, it does not irritate even sensitive skin. That’s why it’s the best

100 % ORGANIC MERINO WOOL • the softest wool of all • feels good on the skin

• pleasantly flexible • warms comfortably

• breathes and does not make you sweat • absorbs moisture without feeling wet • keeps you warm even when moist • neutralizes body odour • airing helps to remove odours • is fireproof

Bodypants Product no. 1540 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

Bodypants Product no. 1540 Sizes 80 and 90 cm

Rompers Product no. 1520 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

Baby shirt Product no. 1200 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

Underpants Product no. 1410 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

16 Indoor wear and undergarments

Organic silk is the best you can offer to a baby

As the name implies, artificial fibres always aim to imitate the properties of natural materials, with- out success. The properties of natural fibre always make it the best material to use on a newborn’s skin. Organic silk is the finest possible natural fibre in which you can dress a baby. The smooth, luxurious and superior silk used in Ruskovilla’s baby clothing comes from an organic silk farm in central China. The structure of the silk, which keeps you cool in warm weather and warm in cool weather, resem- bles human skin, and that’s why babies, who sense the world through their skin, enjoy its touch. As with most other Ruskovilla garments, silk baby clothing is designed primarily to be used as un- dergarments. Normal outerwear of your choice is worn on top, knowing that the skin is protected by the best possible material. 100 % ORGANIC SILK • clean and safe • colour white • light, soft, and breathable • balances temperature very well: warm in cold and cool in hot • its smooth and flat fibre suits even to the most sensitive skin • absorbs moisture very well without feeling wet

Balaclava bonnet Product no. 5030-0 Size 0 Product no. 5030-1 Size 0–1 yr

Baby shirt Long sleeve Product no. 5540 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

Underpants Long-legged Product no. 5410 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

Indoor wear and undergarments 17

Long-sleeved clothes can be used as they are or underneath other clothing. Light, untreated silk wool is easy to combine with other clothes. A short-sleeved body is a great summer garment either on its own or underneath a dress or overalls to add warmth. Silk wool can be used all year round

Baby´s bonnet Product no. Size 4070-0 Tiny 4070-1 0-3 months, newborn

One topic that raises many questions is how to dress babies. Babies spend quite a lot of time in one place, their temperature regulation is still developing, and they lose a significant amount of heat through their heads, which are large in relation to the rest of their bodies. That’s why how you dress as an adult is not a good indicator of how to dress your baby to ensure that she or he is warm enough. Silk wool’s combination of soft silk and warm wool is suitable for babies all year round. That’s why it’s a good idea to build up basic clothing in the baby’s current size. 30/70 SILK WOOL • a lovely combination of the softest merino wool and smooth and nurturing real silk • feels good on the skin • warms just enough • comfortably thin • breathes freely and does not make you sweat • off-white

4070-2 3-6 months 4070-3 6-12 months

Baby shirt Product no. 4200 Sizes 50, 60 and 70 cm

Bodypants Short sleeve

Product no. 4530 Sizes 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 cm

Bodypants Long sleeve

Product no. 4540 Sizes 50, 60, 70, 80 and 90 cm

Underpants Long-legged Product no. 4410 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

18 Indoor wear and undergarments

Dress babies in cotton for summer

On hot days, shirt and trousers or alterna- tively, just a body, are enough for a baby. If it’s colder than 20 degrees Celsius outside, babies should be dressed in long-sleeved clothes and long trousers, and even a hat is not excessive. In summer, babies enjoy warm air baths. Organic cotton clothing is suitable for sen- sitive skin and can be machine-washed at 60°C. Like all of Ruskovilla’s baby clothing, these can also be recycled among several children, and they retain their resale value well.

100 % ORGANIC COTTON • off-white • the soft surface does not irritate even the most sensitive skin • well suited for babies with allergies • made from hand picked cotton • unbleached and without any chemical residues

T I P : A baby’s skin is only one-fifth as thick as an adult’s, so don’t overload it with heavy detergents, colours or treatments.

Baby shirt Product no. 3200 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

Bodypants Product no. 3540 Sizes 60, 70, 80 and 90 cm

Rompers Product no. 3520 Sizes 60 and 70 cm

Nappy pants Product no. 3460 Sizes 60 and 80 cm

Indoor wear and undergarments 19

Keep babies warm in winter with a woollen layer

Wool keeps babies wonderfully warm out- side and protects them from fluctuations in temperature. Soft and breathable merino wool can be used in any weather in autumn, winter and spring. In cold seasons, merino wool overalls make a great middle layer. Keep the baby’s head warm with a woollen bonnet. It absorbs moisture on the neck and retains heat even when wet. Little hands and feet get cold easily, so keep them warm with silk-lined mittens and socks.

Balaclava bonnet Product no. 1030-0 Size 0 Product no. 1030-1 Size 0-1 yr Bodysuit a full length zipper, with feet

Product no. 1550 white Sizes 50, 60, 70, 80 cm Product no. 1556 red Product no. 1551 green Sizes 60, 70 cm

Mittens without thumb with silk lining Product no. 1140-0

First mittens Organic wool fleece, grey Cuff organic wool rib knit, white Product no. 1158-0 Size 0-1 yr Booties Organic wool fleece, grey Cuff organic wool rib knit, white Product no. 1858 Sizw 0-1 yr

Socks Product no. Size 1800-0 15-16 1800-1 17-18 1800-2 19-21

20 Middle layers

Finnish babies go outside even in sub-zero temperatures

T I P : Due to poor circulation in the extremities, babies often have cold toes and fingers. You can tell whether your baby is dressed appropriately by checking the neck. If the baby’s neck is warm but not sweaty, the baby is dressed appropriately. A baby sleeping in a pram does not need windproof and waterproof overalls. Light overalls and a blanket or sleeping sack - and in very cold weather, both - are enough. Many parents also use a sheepskin to insulate against the cold bottom of the pram. A warm hat and mittens and booties made from organic wool fleece complete the outdoor outfit. Many foreigners are amazed at the Finnish way of putting babies to sleep outside, but it’s based on common sense: many babies sleep better in fresh air. After getting used to it, a newborn can spend 1-2 hours outside in mild sub-zero temperatures. A baby just under 6 months old can sleep outside for up to three hours in mild winter weather.

Sheep’s wool fleece White Product no. 7904 Honey-coloured Product no. 7905 Size approx 85 x 70 cm

Outdoor wear 21

Taking care of a baby’s hygiene is important

Babies eat lots and regularly to develop, so their nappies are put to hard work. Many families choose to use reusable cloth nappies for the wellbeing of their baby and for environmental reasons. Natural fibres do not smother the baby’s bottom and cloth nappies do not contain any fragrances or other allergy-causing materials. Babies who use cloth nappies often become potty-trained more quickly, as they quickly notice the connection between urination and the nappy becoming wet. Using cloth nappies can save up to 1,500kg of poorly degradable plastic waste. Cotton cloth nappies can be washed hundreds of times and recycled from child to child. Although you should always buy reusable nappy accessories new, they are still significantly cheaper than disposable nappies.

These will get you started: • 24 cotton nappies (folded in triangular form) • 9 extra flannel or wool nappies for the night or outdoor use • two sets of long-legged and two sets of short-legged nappy pants • wool-washing agent, gall soap, wool conditioner (folded in rectangular form) • 15 additional extra flannel or wool nappies (an extra nappy is always handy when the baby grows) • 4 pairs of larger nappy pants • underpants or bodysuits to keep the nappy in place. When your baby grows: • the same cotton nappies Before use wash the nappy pants by hand. It is also recommended to wash new cotton nappies a couple of times in the washing machine before use so that they reach the optimal absorption capability.

22 Cloth nappies

Natural materials for a baby’s bottom Ruskovilla is a cloth nappy pioneer in Finland: In fact, Ruskovilla’s story began with cloth nappies back in 1981.

The core of Ruskovilla’s cloth nappies has two layers:

1. A moisture-absorbing inner layer consisting of cotton nappy cloth and a flannel or woollen middle nappy to increase absorption, with cotton pants to keep the nappy in place 2. A moisture-absorbing and breathable outer layer consisting of short or long-legged woollen nappy pants A triangular nappy or unfolded oblong nappy can be used from birth until around 6 months. When the child begins to move around, or a triangular nappy feels too small, change to oblong nappies . A flannel or woollen nappy can be used with newborns whenever you need additional absorption, such as for long periods of sleep. Older babies always need a middle nappy.

We will present our various nappy folding models in more detail on the next page spread.

Cloth nappies 23

How to fold nappies

Triangular Nappy

Each folding instruction starts with a nappy cloth (approx. size 80x80 cm).

A

A

A

A

1. Fold the nappy into quarters.

2. Take hold of upper corner A and bring it to the right to form a triangle.

3. Turn the whole nappy upside down and the back side to the front.

4. Fold the left side in the middle of the nappy to form the absorbent part. When folding it, you can insert a separate flannel nappy to improve the absorption capacity.

5-7. The nappy is now ready to use.

Place the baby on the nappy on its back and turn the bottom edge of the nappy to the stomach of the baby. The nappy should be as tight against the bottom as possible. Tie the wings of the nappy from both sides firmly around the waist of the baby. On top of the nappy, the baby will wear woollen nappy pants that keep the nappy in place. With a bigger baby you can use cotton underpants between the nappy and nappy pants. A

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24 Cloth nappies

Rectangular Nappy with an Unfolded End for Small Babies

6. Fold the nappy into the right size. You will find the size suitable for your baby. The nappy stays in place if tight cotton underpants are worn on the nappy. On top, put on woollen nappy pants, either short-legged or long-legged.

1-3. First fold the nappy cloth in half and then into thirds.

4-5. Open the upper end corners of the nappy at the length around 20 cm. This way the part of the nappy remaining under the bottom will be thinner.

Rectangular Nappy (‘Stick Nappy’)

1. First, fold the nappy into quarters.

2. Then fold the nappy into a rectangle approx. 35–40 cm long and 10–13 cm wide.

3. For better absorption, insert an intermediate flannel nappy inside the rectangular nappy.

4. The nappy stays in place if tight cotton underpants are worn on top of the nappy.

Cloth nappies 25

All of your cloth nappy needs under the same roof

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26 Cloth nappies

5. Cotton underpants Product no. 3460 • used on top of the cloth nappy to keep it in place • woollen nappy pants over the underpants are always a must Size: 60 and 80 cm Material: 100 % organic cotton 6. Flocky yarn 100 % wool Product no. 1900 100 g ball of yarn Suitable for hand knitting of nappy pants, instructions are included for different models of nappy pants, a bonnet and booties (only in finnish and swedish)

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Nappy pants / underpants 100 % organic wool, double rib knit

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7. Short-legged Size Product no. 0-1 yr 1510-60 1-2 yr 1510-80 8. Long-legged 0-1 yr 1500-60 1-2 yr 1500-80 over 2 yr 1500-90

9. Long-legged 50 cm 1500-50 first pants

PLEASE NOT E ! You can also find coloured nappy pants on our online store.

Cloth nappies 27

It is surprisingly easy to wash and care for cloth nappies

Cloth nappies: 1. Before washing, store dirty cotton nappies separately from other laundry in a plastic buck- et with a lid, filled halfway with cold water. To prevent smells and bacteria, add a dash of vin- egar or a few drops of antibacterial tea tree oil. 2. Open wet nappies before putting them in the bucket, and wash nappies with poo in them using a hand-held shower. You can com- post the rice paper which helps to remove the poo, or put it in the biowaste. 3. Cloth nappies and cotton pants can be washed at 60°. Put them on an 80-90° pro- gram every third wash. You can pre-wash nappies that have poo in them on a pre-wash program. 4. Don’t use fabric conditioner as it may irritate the baby’s skin. The nappies can be dried in the tumble dryer, but a machine load of nappies can also fit on a single clothes horse. 5. Whenever you empty the bucket of nappies, wash out the bucket using a cleaning agent and hot water.

Cotton nappy pants: 1. Stain-free cotton pants can be washed a couple of times a month, and they can be aired to remove the smell of urine. 2. Poo stains should be dealt with immediately using stain detergent and then woollen pants should be washed by hand, gently squeez- ing using a wool detergent or olive oil soap in warm water. 3. After thorough washing, squeeze the pants between terry towels and lay flat to dry in a well-ventilated area well away from radiators.

4. To maintain absorption and softness, treat the woollen pants with Sonett wool care.

Instructions: Dissolve 1-2 tbsp of wool care into a little hot water. Add lukewarm water un- til there is around 1 litre of lukewarm water in the container. Place damp, clean woollen pants into the mixture, swirl them around, and then carefully squeeze them. After treatment, dry the pants as above.

28 Cloth nappies

Mothers are important, too One of the easiest ways to ensure a baby’s wellbeing is to look after its mother’s wellbeing. No matter how loved and wanted a baby is, breastfeeding, carrying and caring for a baby, as well as a lack of sleep, can all take their toll on a mother. Nutrition, exercise and rest while the baby sleeps are often easy ways of helping a mother to cope. If breastfeeding positions and carrying make the mother’s neck and shoulders stiff, try a shoulder warmer or bolero made from organic merino wool. For back pain, try a waist warmer that can be adapted into a breast warmer in freezing temperatures. It’s also worth trying a millet husk pillow to relax the neck. It supports everyone individually and always adapts to the sleeper. Many breastfeeding mothers suffer with painful breast inflammation during the cold seasons. That’s why it’s good to protect the breasts with warmers made from silk and wool. Protect the breasts and shirts all year round with organic cotton bra protectors .

Breast warmers ø approx 20 cm silk and wool Product no. 2650

Bra protectors ø approx. 10 cm 100 % ecological cotton Product no. 3650

Mothers 29

Washing and care are part of the ecology of a garment

Treat the lovely natural fabrics correctly, so that they serve you better and longer.

Sheep wool fleeces • Air and shake outdoors weekly. • Brush now and then, so that wool fibres

Care instruction

Wool & Silk wool

Silk

Organic cotton

remain elastic. Use a coarse steel comb or brush. • Stains can be rinsed away under running water. • If washing of the entire fleece is necessary, it can be machine-washed with a wool-wash programme (30°C) and with Sonett washing liquid. Light spin. • You can stretch the fleece into shape after wash. • Hang the fleece to dry from two edges, preferably outdoors. • Do not hang close to a heat source or into sunlight. • As the fleece’s hair is wool, it will slightly curl when washed. Millet husk pillow • Use covered with a pillowcase. • When the cotton cover needs washing, open the fastener and shake the husks out into a suitable container. • Wash the cover in a washing machine (40-60°C). • Refill the clean cover with the husks. • The husks don’t need to be washed as they don’t accumulate moisture or odours. • The millet husks should be replaced with new ones in around every 3-5 years. • The old husks should be put to a biological waste centre. • You can acquire new husks from Ruskovilla.

Washing

by hand or with a hand- wash program 30°C Sonett Washing liquid for Wool and Silk or Olive Oil Soap. Stains disappear with Sonett Gall Soap. Airing extends washing Intervals. It is recommended to treat woollens that need to be washed often with Sonett Wool Conditioner.

by hand or with a hand- wash program 30°C Sonett Washing liquid for Wool and Silk or Olive Oil Soap. Stains disappear with Sonett Gall Soap. Airing extends washing Intervals.

in a washing machine 40-60°C Preferably use a nature-friendly fast decomposing detergent. Stains disappear with Sonett Gall Soap.

Detergent

Drying Storing

• Soft spin • Do not tumble dry • Shape clothing whilst damp

• Protect wool from moths and beetles • When clothing is not being used, store it in a sealed plastic bag

BEDCLOTHES Duvets • A sufficient care for these is light brushing and regular airing. • Dry cleaning. • Do not wash with water as wool and silk wadding would get clumpy in water. • Stains can be removed with gall soap. Rub the dry stain with dampened soap,

let it affect for a moment, and rinse carefully under running water or with a soft dampened sponge. • Fight house dust mites by keeping the

bedclothes for an hour in a hot sauna (60°C) or outside in about minus twenty degrees for 24 hours.

Product warranty does not cover products that have been washed incorrectly. • Care instructions are always marked also on the Ruskovilla products/packages.

30 Washing and caring for garments

LogoBriefbogen,quer,4C

SONETT – WASHING LIQUID FOR WOOL AND SILK , neutral Ingredients: Olive oil soap, sugar surfactant, rapeseed oil soap, vegetable alcohol (ethanol), citrate, water. Due to the fat in the olive oil soap, protein fibres like wool and silk maintain their elasticity. Suitable for hand- and machine-washing at temperatures up to 40°C Product no. S-4725 Size: 500 ml Product no. S-4724 Size: 120 ml SONETT - GALL SOAP for stain removal Ingredients: soap boiled from palm and coconut fat, bovine gall, chlorophyll. An incredibly effective stain remover, suitable for removing grease, blood, berry, fruit, wine, ink, or chlorophyll stains. Use for pre-treating shirt collars and sleeves before placing them in the waching machine. Will not harm fibres, will not leave a white ring, will not cause colours to fade, will not cover stains. Product no. S-4701 Bar of soap 100 g Product no. S-4702 Liquid 120 ml SONETT - WOOL CARE AGENT Ingredients: wool grease, olive soap, sugar tenside, lecithin, plant-derived starch, genuine volatile lavender oil, balsam. The wool care agent softens wool garments whose wool grease has disappeared (e.g. frequently washed nappy pants) and protects the wool fibres from premature wear. Wool will thus maintain its original properties, such as softness and the ability to draw in moisture. Product no. S-4721 Size 120 ml RUSKOVILLA - OLIVE OIL SOAP Olive oil content > 81 %. For handwashing of wool and silk wear. Suitable for cleaning of leather and felting. Excellent for handwashing and shower. Product no. S-4730 bar of soap 100 g MOTH TRAP - GLUE TRAP for clothes moths Product no. S-8703 1 pc CEDAR RINGS

SONETT Product Family Sonett uses tensides only from renewable raw materials that can be broken down in five to seven days. Ecological olive or rape oil and volatile oils are used as rawmaterial for soap. Sonett products do not contain petrochemical products, enzymes that cause allergic reactions, chlorine compounds, phosphates, synthetic perfumes, or colorants.

To protect your woollens against moths and beetles. A genuine natural product, non-toxic and harmless for children and pets. Product no. S-8701 5 rings / package

31

The size chart will help you to find the right size

Babies grow at an alarming rate and triple their birthweight during the first year of their life. Although growth is individual, the size chart provides a good guideline for estimating a ba- by’s size.

Ruskovilla’s products are made from four different natural fibres, so their flexibility may vary. All of them however stretch with the user’s size and body type. Ruskovilla’s woollen knits are not treated in any way, so they will shrink a little in the first wash.

BABIES

50

60

70

80

Approx. age Neck - wrist

0-2 mth 2-4 mth 6-8 mth 12 mth

24 45

27 47 20

31

35

Chest circumference

49 25

51

Inside leg

15

30

Head circumference

33-37 37-41 41-45 45-49

32 Size chart

Why do babies need Ruskovilla’s natural fibres?

Having a baby is life-changing. It is especially exciting if you have no prior experience of babycare. Everything is new, and endless contradictory instructions are just a few clicks away. It was with woollen baby clothes that Ruskovilla’s story began back in 1981. As such, we have decades of experience with dressing and caring for small babies. Perhaps you were dressed in Ruskovilla as a baby, and you’ve felt the softness of natural fibres against your skin. If you haven’t, we would like to quote a paediatric neurologist on why natural is best for babies. The surface area of a newborn’s skin in relation to weight is a lot greater than in adults. In addition, the skin is thin, as is the layer of fat underneath it. The head makes up one-quarter of a baby’s total length, while in adults the head only accounts for an eighth of our height. Babies also secrete more fluids than adults. Newborns do not have their own stores to balance changes in temperature, and they are entirely dependent on the ambient temperature. In Finland, the difference between the outdoor

and indoor temperature can easily be up to 30 degrees Celsius. Babies lose a particularly high amount of heat through their large heads. That’s why baby clothing must have an excellent ability to retain even warmth and moisture. These properties cannot be found in artificial fibres or in heavily treated materials. Only natural fibres can do this. Appropriate clothing can support your baby’s growth and development. Wool and silk provide the best protection for warmth and moisture against the skin. Our decades of experience have shown that chemically untreated natural fibres are always the best option for a baby’s sensitive skin. Ruskovilla’s range contains undergarments and middle layers, bedding and sheepskins, all made from top-quality natural fibres. And because we also want to ensure nature’s wellbeing, the majority of our materials are certified organic. So, take your time and look through this guide and the tips, and use the handy checklist overleaf to record what you’re going to need for your little one.

Why choose Ruskovilla for babies? 33

Checklist: Baby buys from Ruskovilla

INDOOR WEAR AND UNDERGARMENTS Organic Silk

Organic Merino Wool q Baby shirt 60 and 70 cm q Bodypants long sleeve 60, 70, 80 and 90 cm q Rompers with feet 60 and 70 cm

q Bodypants long sleeve 60 and 70 cm q Underpants 60 and 70 cm q Balaclava bonnet 2 sizes

Silk Wool q Newborn set 50 cm q Baby shirt 50, 60 and 70 cm

Silk q Silk cap 4 colours and 4 sizes

Organic Cotton q Baby shirt 60 and 70 cm q Bodypants long sleeve 60, 70, 80 and 90 cm q Rompers with feet 60 and 70 cm q Nappy pants 60 and 80 cm

q Bodypants short sleeve 50, 60, 70 and 80 cm q Bodypants long sleeve 50, 60, 70 and 80 cm q Underpants 60 and 70 cm q Bonnet 3 sizes

34 Checklist for your baby’s first year

MIDDLE LAYERS

BEDDING

CLOTH NAPPY ACCESSORIES

Organic Merino wool q Bodysuit, off-white 50, 60, 70 and 80 cm q Bodysuit red 60 and 70 cm q Bodysuit green 60 and 70 cm q Balaclava bonnet 2 sizes q First mittens without thumb q Socks 3 sizes

Organic Merino Wool q Sleeping sack without sleeves 0-1 yr q Sleeping sack with sleeves 50, 70 and 90 cm q Baby blanket 70 x 90 cm

Organic Merino Wool q Nappy pants long-legged 5 sizes q Nappy pants short-legged 60 and 80 cm q Woollen middle nappy 12 x 32 cm Organic Cotton q Underpants 60 and 80 cm q Cotton nappy 85 x 85 cm q Flannel middle nappy 40 x 40 cm q Rice paper q Diaper fastener MOTHERS Organic Merino Wool and Silk q Breast warmers

Organic Cotton q Swaddle cloth 80 x 120 cm

Organic Wool Fleece q First mittens 0-1 yr q Booties 0-1 yr

Bedclothes q Linen duvet 80 x 100 cm q Silk duvet 80 x 100 cm

q Millet husk pillow 25 x 35 cm q Sheep’s wool fleece white q Sheep’s wool fleece honey-coloured

Organic Cotton q Bra protectors

PRODUCTS FOR WASHING AND CARE

Checklist for your baby’s first year 35

®

FOR NATURAL CLOTHING SINCE 1981

Ruskovilla Oy Kinnarintie 32, FI-16200 Artjärvi, Finland Tel. +358 3 871 460 • fax +358 3 871 4621 ruskovilla@ruskovilla.fi

An updated list of retailers can be found on our website www.ruskovilla.fi . Here you can also find our complete catalogue for the whole family as a flash brochure or make your order in our webshop.

© Ruskovilla • Design: T-Time Oy • Print: M & P Paino Oy, Lahti 2018. • Foto: Studio Fotonokka Oy, Kristiina Hemminki