Meet Moss Bag Baby: Modern Baby Covers Inspired by Tradition

Moss Bag Baby is a new baby brand that emerged over the 2024 holiday season, and we are so excited to tell you all about its owner, the origin story, and the rich culture behind the brand!

In mid-November 2024, TaNeel Filesteel posted a video of herself making a baby cover using a baby Pendleton wool blanket and her sewing machine. Earlier that week, she ran into a mother using a cover on her baby carrier while shopping, which inspired TaNeel to create one for her then 2-month-old daughter for the cold winter months of Montana. She posted a video documenting her creation of the baby cover on her TikTok account (@taneelfilesteel), which garnered enthusiastic interest from her followers.

The subsequent videos of her wearing the baby cover went semi-viral, amassing over 100k views. TaNeel saw the organic interest in the baby cover and started the Etsy page Moss Bag Baby selling the sewing pattern and baby covers made from Pendleton wool. TaNeel realized that no baby brand was dedicated to this vibrant tradition. Recognizing the high need for a Native-owned baby brand, she created Moss Bag Baby to honor the tradition of babywearing. Her two children are the inspiration behind Moss Bag Baby, and it serves not only Native mothers but mothers of all backgrounds and origins. Since November, her business has gone viral on Instagram and TikTok, garnering millions of views and hundreds of baby cover orders!

TaNeel belongs to the Aaniiih and Assiniboine Tribes on the Fort Belknap Indian Reservation and the Apsaalooke Tribe of the Crow Reservation in Montana. She grew up understanding the importance of babywearing and wrapping through Cradleboards and Moss Bags. Cradleboards hold a significant cultural and practical importance for many Tribes throughout the Indian Country. Cradleboards are used to carry and protect infants, allowing the mother to have their hands free while keeping their child secure and close. They are often beautifully decorated with beadwork, quillwork, and other traditional embellishments, reflecting the artistry and cultural identity of the family and tribe.

Like Cradleboards, Moss Bags are an essential traditional item for many Native families, especially in colder climates. They were traditionally soft baby carriers filled with moss or other natural materials to provide comfort and insulation for the infant. Cradleboards and Moss Bags are ingeniously designed for comfort and warmth, mobility, artistic expression, bonding, and security. They are not only practical baby carriers but are also a vital part of the cultural identity and heritage of the tribes that use them. They offer a window into the values, artistic expression, and traditions of the many Native families.

The baby cover is now coined the Modern Moss Bag, as it recognizes the rich tradition of baby-wearing among Native families. Although modern Native parents may not utilize or have access to traditional baby-wearing products, many use baby carriers to practice this tradition. The Modern Moss Bag is a cover that keeps infants warm, secure, and comfortable, all while allowing parents to be hands-free, similar to traditional Cradleboards and Moss Bags. 

For many reasons, the Modern Moss Bag is created from Pendleton and Eighth Generation wool blankets. These two brands are widely popular among Native people who use the blankets for traditional giveaway celebrations, honoring an individual’s achievements, powwow specials, weddings, and decorative products, such as coats, purses, backpacks, and more! Wool is among the warmest materials to withstand winter climates and protect the wearer. Pendleton and Eighth Generation offer a wide range of beautifully designed blankets displaying Native artistry and talents across Indian Country, offering a stylish edge to the Modern Moss Bag.