How To Swaddle A Baby
Baby swaddling is the practice of wrapping up a baby in a warm, light and breathable blanket.
It’s performed to help the baby feel calm and secure. It mimics the feeling of being back in the mother’s womb.
Help prevent an out of control Moro Reflex for your newborn. Check out the links to compare the best brands.
Popular Recommended Swaddles:
In this article we’ll explore 6 steps on how to swaddle a baby. Plus history, benefits, what to avoid, different styles and top picks for the best swaddle blankets.
History of Swaddling
The practice has been going on for decades.
The act of swaddling has been around for centuries but fell out of favor in the 17th century.
However becoming popular again, more recent studies point to the possibility of using the act to help babies fall asleep and stay asleep.
Some authors believe it was invented in the Paleolithic period.
They were made from strips of cloth tied together in a bandage-like consistency in the past.
Swaddling is even referenced in the bible according to Wikipedia. Ezekiel 16:4 describes Israel as “unswaddled” (a metaphor for abandonment).
Luckily, swaddles are a little more sophisticated nowadays than a few pieces of cloth tied together.
A good number of swaddles to have at home are 2 or 3.
Just in case one gets dirty, there is a spare clean one ready to grab in case of an emergency.
How To Swaddle A Baby | 6 Steps
Step 1 – Spread the blanket out forming a diamond shape.
Step 2 – Fold the corner leaving enough space for baby’s head.
Step 3 – Lay baby face up, shoulders aligned, on the blanket with head above the folded corner.
Step 4 – Take one corner across the chest and tuck under opposite arm of baby.
Step 5 – Fold or twist the bottom of the blanket up and over baby’s feet and tuck it under their opposite arm.
Step 6 – Make sure the hips and legs can move freely and the blanket is not too tight.
Make sure you can fit 2 or 3 fingers between the baby’s chest and swaddle blanket. Now you know how to swaddle a baby.
Remember to place your baby on their back when they sleep.
Styles of Baby Swaddles
Swaddle Sack – In a swaddle sack the baby’s hands and arms are free to move around. Swaddle sacks come with specialized wings for application usually in a “T” or “Y” shape.
Some may have arm pockets or leg pouches.
Babies should sleep on their backs and not their stomachs. Sleeping on the back is also known as the supine position.
Swaddle sacks or swaddle blankets are a good way for parents to ensure their infants get correct rest.
Swaddle Blankets – In using a swaddle blanket the baby’s torso, legs and arms are wrapped up like a mini burrito.
There is a vast assortment of swaddle blankets to choose from. A swaddling blanket should be no less than 42” by 42” in size and square in shape.
Now all you need is to match the perfect style that complements your newborn.
Muslin Swaddle Blankets - Muslin swaddle blankets are a large, finely woven breathable fabric.
A cotton muslin swaddle blanket will have a bit of a stretch to it (which is what you want). Again, don’t wrap baby too loosely. This avoids risk of a possible asphyxiation hazard.
Velcro Swaddle Blankets - Velcro swaddles are popular with many mothers.
Velcro swaddles have adjustable wings to wrap. Be careful you don’t wrap your baby up too tightly.
Some Velcro swaddle blankets, may have a hook and latch (or loop) mechanism also.
What To Avoid When Swaddling
Depending on how you swaddle a baby, there are a few areas of concern while engaging this activity.
Firstly, too many layers can make your baby really hot and uncomfortable. Avoid binding too many layers.
According to the AAP (American Academy of Pediatrics), it’s not recommended to use any kind of weighted swaddles.
Weighted swaddles can become unsafe if your baby rolls face down into a prone position.
A good rule of thumb is to discontinue swaddling when your baby can roll onto their stomach.
Babies should have their arms and hands free to adjust their head position after rolling over.
According to Stanford Medicine, if your baby can roll over on his or her own, don’t swaddle anymore.
Swaddling may raise the risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) if the swaddled baby rolls onto his or her stomach.
Another area of concern is wrapping too tight or too loosely. Wrapping too tightly can bind legs and hips too tight and may cause developmental issues.
Wrapping too loosely, the blanket may become an asphyxiation hazard.
Benefits Of Baby Swaddling
Swaddling limits mobility and is typically done within the first 3 months after birth. Only the body is wrapped, not the neck and head.
Swaddling helps recreate the feeling of security and comfort babies experienced in the womb.
This leads to better sleep patterns and reduced fussiness.
We found at the National Library of Medicine, wrapping baby in a swaddle blanket can reduce Moro Reflex.
Moro Reflex is the primitive involuntary reflex of babies due to extreme sudden stimulation or abrupt disruption of bodily balance.
Moro Reflex begins to disappear by 12 weeks old. The Moro Reflex is also called the startle reflex.
The act of swaddling may help reduce baby colic and increase sleep time too. This is because of the mimicked feeling of being back in the womb.
The question remains, which are the best swaddle blankets for you?
Best Swaddle Blankets
There are a few different kinds of swaddles to choose from.
There are muslin swaddle blankets, Velcro swaddle blankets - many to choose from. Here’s a few of our favorites..
Popular Recommended Swaddles:
We hope you and your bundle of joy get the best sleep for the first 3 months of infancy and the first 3 months of parenthood.
RELATED: Best Sleep Training Method
