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Swaddling has been a practice for millennia. When а baby is wrapped up in a light breathable blanket it helps them calm down. When а baby is swaddled, they feel comforted and secure, like when they were in the womb.
Swaddling is not a new concept. There is a lot of evidence that suggest that people have always swaddled their babies. Some believe that it has been a practice ever since the paleolithic era. Even Jesus was swaddled in the New Testament, and in the Old Testament Israel is being referred to as “unswaddled”, as a metaphor for being abandoned.
In more recent history, swaddling had been a subject for discussion in the 17th and 18th century, when some philosophers and later physicians wanted to abolish this practice entirely.
Today, swaddling is popular and recommended, since we now know how to swaddle safely, thus not only calming newborns down, but also to prevent them from turning on their stomach.
Why Should You Swaddle Your Baby?
Newborns have a number of reflexes. Babies can sometimes wake themselves up by startling, and swaddling makes this less likely to happen, which means that your baby will be able to sleep better, and if your baby sleeps well, so do you.
It’s believed that during the first three months the baby is getting used to the outside world, so it makes sense that being swaddled will make them feel snuggled and protected, eliminating anxiety. This will also teach the baby to self-soothe.
Swaddling can calm a cranky baby, which includes colicky babies and babies with neurologic problems. Besides helping against scratching, parents claim that swaddling also helps babies sleep longer and keeps them on their back while they sleep.
How Should You Swaddle Your Baby?
Wrapping babies in baby swaddles may seem like a lot of work, especially since they sleep all the time. But once you’ve perfected it, it will become easier until finally you’re able to do it even in your sleep.
- Spread out the swaddle on a flat, soft surface.
- Fold down the top corner.
- Place the baby on their back. Put one of your baby’s arm next to their body, slightly bent, and put the same side of the blanket over the arm and body, and tuck it under your baby.
- Pull the remaining free corner of the swaddle blanket across their body over the other arm, and tuck it under the baby’s opposite side.
Learn about Safety
There are some basic rules to always follow when you are swaddling your baby.
- Use thin breathable materials, and don’t over-layer. Muslin blankets that are too thick and over-layering can cause overheating. To be safe, you should check your baby’s temperature regularly. If you are in doubt, cotton muslin wraps are the safest bet.
- Wrapping babies too tightly in baby swaddles, may cause hip dysplasia. To prevent this, you should swaddle in such way that the baby can move their knees and hips freely. The goal is to swaddle tight enough to hold your baby’s arms firm, while allowing them to kick freely, and making sure their legs can fall into their natural position. Furthermore, don’t swaddle your baby above their shoulders.
- Always lay your baby on their back after swaddling, and never put your baby to sleep on their side or front.
When and How Do You Stop Swaddling?
Swaddling is only for newborns. Once the baby begins to learn how to roll over, it’s time to stop wrapping your baby. In fact, when babies get more mobile, swaddling is not only unnecessary, but more importantly – it’s risky.
But if you think that stopping suddenly may cause a problem for your baby’s sleep, you can start gradually transitioning them out of it.
You could start by letting one of their arms free for a couple of nights, and then free the other arm as well. After a couple of nights, you can stop using the wrap entirely. Of course, even when their arms are free, make sure the swaddle is done properly and safely.
What If Your Baby Isn’t Calming Down?
Remember that every baby is different. Not all babies will respond equally to being swaddled. Some babies may prefer having one or both their arms free from the beginning, and for some it may not work at all. Some will sleep better, and some will require more comforting.
Fortunately, there are many things parents find helpful to calm down their babies. The most important thing is to try to stay calm and not get frustrated, since your newborn can sense your state of mind.
If your baby is crying, the solution may be simple as simple as nursing or changing their nappy.
Make sure you’ve dressed your baby appropriately. Many parents over-layer their babies, thinking they are cold. But, if you are hot, your baby is as well. The best way to know if your baby is comfortable, is to think about your own clothing. If you think you would be hot with their layering, they are most likely hot. If you feel chilly and you need more layering, they are most likely cold as well.
If you can’t calm your baby, combine swaddling with other things that might sooth a baby, such as holding them and bouncing or rocking. Gently rub your baby’s back. Hold them in your arms and place them on their left side to help digestion. Try singing, humming or turn on calming sounds, like white noise. Offer them a pacifier, since babies can be calmed by sucking…
