These are great sheepskins if you want the best of both worlds: springiness to support a sleepy head and softness for cuddling and comfort. Medical grade, completely safe on the skin.

• temperature-regulating and breathable
• artisan-made using a chrome-free and ecologically-sound tanning process using Relugan GT-50
• naturally self-cleaning and long-lasting
• washable

Use as bedding
Studies have shown that pre-term and low birth weight babies grow faster and are more contented when lying on lambswool, and older babies also cry less and sleep more! Even for adults, studies repeatedly show that we get a better night's rest if we use a woollen under-blanket and if polyester-filled duvets are replaced by woollen blankets (!) due to its ability to regulate the micro-climate around our beds.

We would like to point out that it is recommended that babies do not sleep on a soft/squidgy surface for the first year. On the other hand, it used to be recommended that premature babies slept on sheepskins and they are used worldwide for sleeping on. Please come to your own conclusions!

You may like to put a sheet or muslin over the sheepskin if using it as bedding. You probably already know that babies should be placed on their backs to sleep unless there is a medical reason not to do so. Be aware that a sheepskin may be more insulating than your baby's hard mattress - do check your baby's temperature and adjust their nightwear accordingly.

This sheepskin has been tanned carefully in an eco-safe, baby-safe way. It has also been shorn to a baby-safe length, and is machine-washable too.

This Trautwein sheepskin is tanned with Relugan. Regulan is being used more and more in the leather industry as a chrome replacement. Tanning with regulan is ecologically beneficial because Relugan binds to proteins in the wastewater from tanning. Every stage of Trautwein's production is in accordance to the highest environmental and hygiene requirements.

Benefits of Sheepskins
Sheepskins can be used throughout the year as wool is a natural insulator, keeping temperatures stable. It's also breathable, wicking moisture away from the skin and keeping bodies comfortable. Because of this, sheepskins are warm in winter and cool in summer, and always provide a comforting and supportive surface for your baby to sit or play.

Since biblical times, mothers have wrapped their babies in wool to keep them warm and dry. It's naturally comforting. Lambswool is perfect for this task as it resists wet and dirt and is thick and luxurious while remaining light and flexible. You can learn more about the wonderful properties of wool from our information pages - click here.

Our family and sheepskins...
You can probably tell that we are quite "pro" sheepskins! We have found them very very useful indeed, reducing stickiness in prams, strollers and carseats in hot weather, and keeping them warm and cosy in cold weather.

Both our daughters sleep on sheepskins, the youngest from birth. I honestly believe that sleeping on sheepskins coupled with the use of Disana and Engel Merino wool sleeping bags creates the best sleeping environment for babies - safe, supportive, breathable, comfortable, sleep-inducing.

We have also found sheepsins very helpful for reducing sweatiness in car seats, and recommend any of our sheepskins car seat liners - our eldest always complains in summer if we haven't put one on, as she gets too sticky!

Finally, when your child is older, sheepskins are great for using in indoor and outdoor dens and in the tent when camping, as well as for general play.

In the first instance, use foam from a wool detergent to sponge off any spills or brush off when dry. This is the best way of cleaning your sheepskin, but it is especially tanned to be machine-washable on a 30oc wool cycle too if you need to. Use detergent designed for wool or sheepskins which will not strip the natural oils present. We recommend one of our liquid wool shampoos in our fabric care section here.

Air dry away from direct heat and sunlight, and then brush to restore a good texture.

If you're already in love with sheepskins you will know that they do alter on washing - they are equally lovely, and this skin will retain its shape and won't shrink, but please be aware it will feel slightly different and this is to be expected.

Trautwein is an experienced German master tannery. We chose to stock their sheepskins as we were impressed with the care they take into making them and the resulting quality.

Trautwein only use natural tanning ingredients, and the waste water is treated in their very own sewage treatment plant before rejoining the local sewage system

So when you feel one of their sheepskins, not only do you feel softness and quality, you also hold in you hands the result of expert craftmanship. What a treat!