About the Ota

The Baby Ota originated in the Czech Republic, where hearty women had to protect their not so hearty babies from the frigid winters and hot summers. To keep babies warm, dry and safe, they invented the zavinovacka (zah-veen-oh-vach-ka), or “wrap-me blanket.” Unlike other swaddling blankets or receiving blankets, the zavinovacka was padded, sturdy and designed to last. Over time, zavinovacka grew more ornate, and friends and family started making them as heirlooms for expectant mothers. When the child was born, mom and dad would take the newborn around the village and introduce it to neighbors in the ornate zavinovacka. Now, Ivana Otahalova, Baby Ota's founder, has brought the tradition to the US, to the relief of moms everywhere. The Baby Ota's modern take on the zavinovacka uses a patent-pending Three Bow comfort tie that allow parents to keep babies comfy and secure while also adjusting for size and activity level.