Swaddling is a typical technique in which a newborn is gently wrapped in a light, permeable blanket to aid relaxation and sleep. Swaddling your infant is supposed to make them feel safe and secure, similar to how they felt in the womb. So let’s learn a step-by-step technique on how to properly swaddle your baby.

The right blanket

It’s crucial to pick the right swaddling blanket. Fabric that is soft, breathable, and not too stiff is ideal. A cotton muslin swaddling blanket is recommended. Swaddling with a muslin blanket is ideal since it is a highly breathable fabric that prevents overheating while also giving greater stretch, allowing your baby to move about more freely.

Wrap them gently

Using lightweight, breathable fabrics, swaddle your infant. Cotton baby blankets, cotton muslin wraps, and cotton-winged swaddles are all good options. Swaddle your infant only up to their shoulders; the neck and head should not be swaddled. You can also check this URL to find more useful information on how to swaddle your baby the right way. Wrap your infant tightly yet gently under a blanket. It’s not a good idea to swaddle your infant so tightly that his or her hips and knees can’t move around freely. Swaddling your newborn too tightly can result in hip dysplasia, which is a condition in which the hip does not form properly. Reduce the risk of hip dysplasia by using hip-friendly swaddling techniques. Make sure your baby can kick freely with their hips and knees. Your baby’s legs should be able to naturally fall into place.

Step by step

1. Take the blanket out and fold one corner of the wrap back to form a triangle. Place your infant in the middle, with the shoulders just below the folded corner.
2. Put your baby’s right arm, slightly bent, alongside the body. Pull the same side of the wrap around your baby’s chest, keeping the right arm hidden behind the cloth. Leave the left arm free by tucking the swaddle’s edge under the torso.
3. Tuck the fabric into the top of the wrap by your baby’s shoulder after folding the bottom corner of the blanket up and over their foot.
4. Place the baby’s right arm beside the body, slightly bent. Pull the same side of the wrap over your baby’s chest while hiding the right arm beneath the fabric.

When to stop?

Swaddling your baby should be done just when he or she is still a newborn. As soon as they show signs of learning to roll over or can already do it, you should remove them from swaddling. If they turn over onto their side or front, they can adjust their head position using their hands and arms. Your infant may begin to turn over as early as two to three months old.

Benefits

Swaddling has a number of advantages, including:

• Assisting in keeping your baby warm as it sleeps
• Limiting the startle response, which might cause your kid to wake up in the middle of the night
• By simulating the cozy atmosphere of the womb, you may give your baby a sense of protection and security.
• Providing comfort to your infant through a potentially distressing event, such as a vaccine.

SIDS prevention

It’s uncertain how swaddling affects sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). SIDS-related mortality has been on the decline in recent decades. This is assumed to be due to explicit guidelines stating that newborns should sleep on their backs rather than their fronts or sides.

Babies that are swaddled are less likely to turn from their backs to their stomachs, perhaps protecting them against SIDS. If a baby can roll over, however, they may be in danger of SIDS if they are swaddled. This is because avoiding suffocation necessitates head raising and rotation, which is hampered when a baby’s arms are confined by its sides when swaddled.

When to swaddle

You can swaddle your infant for nighttime sleep, a nap, or when it has colic and needs to be soothed. Swaddling your infant helps keep him or her warm, peaceful, and safe. Swaddling can also encourage better sleep at bedtime or during naps.

Safety considerations

Swaddling may make it more difficult for your baby to wake up since it reduces its natural capacity to arouse itself from sleep. If you swaddle your infant too tightly, it may develop hip issues. You’ve swaddled your baby correctly if you can put two to three fingers between his or her chest and the swaddle. Make sure your baby isn’t overheated when it’s swaddled. Your baby is probably overdressed if it is sweating, has moist hair, flushed cheeks, has heat rash, or has quick breathing.

Swaddling your infant has some advantages, like calming your baby and maybe promoting better sleep. If you decide to swaddle your baby, you can quickly learn how to do it by following this step-by-step guide or asking a nurse or your baby’s healthcare practitioner to demonstrate how to do it. You’ll be a pro at wrapping your kid and making it feel safe and comfortable.

You might also like:

• 5 Baby Essentials You Can Buy Used + Safety Tips
• How to dress your baby for Winter