Our Story

From One Scary Night… to Helping Millions of Babies Sleep Safer

In 2007, Woombie founder Karen Barski, RN experienced the moment that would change everything. Her third baby, Bella’Mar, was born five weeks early. Like many newborns, Bella had a strong startle reflex and needed to be swaddled to sleep comfortably. Karen used a traditional swaddle blanket, just as parents have done for generations.

But one night, Bella managed to unravel the swaddle blanket and pull the fabric up over her face while rooting to feed. Karen found her red, sweaty, and struggling for airflow. It was a terrifying moment no parent should experience. As both a registered nurse and a mother, Karen immediately knew there had to be a safer solution.

A Nurse’s Perspective on Baby Sleep

Swaddling has been practiced for thousands of years because it helps babies feel secure and sleep better. But traditional swaddling can also be frustrating and inconsistent for parents.

Blankets unravel.
Velcro swaddles loosen during the night.
Some swaddles restrict natural movement.

Karen began asking a simple question:

What if a swaddle could stay secure, support natural movement, and still comfort a baby like the womb?

That idea became the foundation for Woombie®.

The Birth of the Woombie

Karen began designing and sewing prototypes at home, combining her understanding of infant safety, developmental movement, and body mechanics with the needs of exhausted new parents.

The goal was clear:

• A swaddle that stays secure all night
• A design that allows natural movement of hips and arms
• A shape that gently re-forms to baby’s body like a cocoon
• A swaddle that is simple for parents to use

After months of prototyping, the signature peanut-shaped Woombie swaddle was born.

Unlike traditional swaddles, Woombie allows babies to move naturally while still feeling gently contained, helping reduce the startle reflex and encouraging better sleep.

Helping Babies Transition from Womb to World

The first months of life can be overwhelming for both babies and parents.

Sleepless nights.
Colic.
Feeding struggles.
Hormonal shifts and exhaustion.

Woombie was designed to support families through this important transition by helping babies feel secure, soothed, and comforted, much like they did in the womb.

One simple design change created a swaddle that helps babies:

• Sleep longer
• Feel calmer
• Stay safely swaddled
• Maintain healthy hip movement
• Self-soothe with hands-over-heart positioning

From One Mom’s Idea to a Global Baby Brand

What began as a solution for one baby quickly grew into something much bigger.

Today, Woombie has:

• Nearly 600 product SKUs worldwide
• 30 patents globally
• 22+ awards for design and innovation

Woombie products are trusted by parents, hospitals, and caregivers around the world to help babies transition safely from womb to world.

Designed with Safety at the Core

As a registered nurse, Karen built Woombie with safety, comfort, and development as the top priorities.

All Woombie products meet strict CPSIA safety standards and are tested through third-party accredited laboratories.

Our testing includes:

• Lead and phthalate safety
• Flammability standards
• Zipper strength testing
• Small parts and hazard testing
• Fabric durability and colorfastness
• Formaldehyde testing
• Dimensional stability after washing
• TOG temperature suitability

If a product does not pass testing, we do not sell it.

Because babies deserve nothing less.

A Family Business Built with Love

Woombie was built by a family, for families.

Karen built the company while raising her children Bella, Bryce, and Brody, always keeping one goal in mind:

Helping parents create a safer, calmer, and more peaceful start to life for their babies.

Today, Woombie continues to grow while staying true to its founding mission:

Swaddle. Soothe. Sleep.

Thank You for Trusting Woombie

From my family to yours, thank you for trusting Woombie during one of the most precious moments of life.

Congratulations on your new little one.

With love,
Karen Barski, RN / BSN
Founder, Woombie®