The Information Blanket

More Than A Swaddle

We’ve all heard the quip “babies don’t come with instruction manuals.” While it’s true that newborns don’t arrive with instructions, many of us are lucky to have access to plenty of resources, including pediatric care and education, to help us navigate parenthood. Not all moms around the globe are so fortunate. The high infant mortality rates in places like Uganda make it all too clear that moms could use more tools.

With the support of local health care providers, Neil Powell’s team gathered the vital information needed to combat infant mortality rates and found the perfect medium to display it: a baby blanket. The Information Blanket combines easy-to-read icons and instructions (in the mom’s native language) to convey basic knowledge about breastfeeding frequency, vaccination schedules, checkup reminders, growth rates and illness warning signs. The blanket serves as a daily reminder of the importance of potentially lifesaving baby care.

Neil’s social enterprise operates on a “Buy One Give One” business model; for every blanket sold, Information Blanket gives a blanket to a mother in need somewhere else in the world. So far, nearly 600 blankets have been delivered to moms and their newborn babies in Uganda.

Next time you’re shopping for a gift for a baby shower or to celebrate a newborn’s arrival, think about the Information Blanket. Every baby needs to be swaddled, and the Information Blanket is a cozy choice. It’s also an impactful choice. For every blanket we buy, there’s a twin that makes its way to a mom around the world, where infant care instructions printed on a blanket could be a lifesaver. Education alone isn’t enough to prevent infant deaths, but it’s a vital contribution.

— Ann

NOTE: There are no shipping charges for donation blankets.

• The Information Blanket Organization is a for-profit social enterprise that operates on a one for one business model. They aim to provide accurate, culturally sensitive infant health information delivered in a memorable, easily accessible way can empower mothers and initiate behavioral change. Their goal is to introduce the blanket in several other high rate infant mortality areas of the world, establish partnerships on the ground with like-minded NGOs to act as points of distribution and setup localized manufacturing in those regions. We have also included a blanket donation option for those that don’t need a blanket themselves, but would like to contribute to this mission.

• Made in USA from 100% pre-shrunk North Carolina eco-cotton
• Pre-shrunk means that the integrity of the printed information will never be compromised.
• All the printing on the blankets is done in water-based non-toxic inks
• Iconographic reminders include: feeding frequency, vaccination schedule, checkup reminder, high temperature alert, growth chart, and illness warning signs.
• Machine wash cold. Gentle cycle. Dry Flat. Warm iron as needed.
• English version also includes a name tag.
• Green blanket dimensions: 23” x 32” (swaddling size)
• Pink/Blue blanket dimensions: 32” x 32” (swaddling size);   Limited availability.

• Buy One Give One
  • You receive the English version of the blanket designed specifically for the USA.
  • A mother and her newborn in need will receive a blanket designed specifically for her region. 
• Give One (Blanket Donation)
  • A mother and her newborn in need will receive a blanket designed specifically for her region.