Key Points
- Swaddling is an ancient technique that gives newborn babies comfort that mimics being in the womb.
- Ensure the baby’s arms and legs wrapped tightly against their body, as it allows them to fall asleep faster, stay asleep longer, and regulate the startle reflex so they don’t wake up unnecessarily.
- Swaddling is excellent for newborns until babies show the first signs of rolling over.
- Ensure the blanket is tight enough around the upper body so that it won’t unravel through the night but not too tight that it restricts the hips.
- Stop swaddling babies once they begin to roll by themselves. For some babies, this can be as early as two months old. Swaddling a rolling baby increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Want to know the secret to a cosy newborn? Swaddling! As a new or expecting parent or caregiver, the thought might cross your mind, “How do you swaddle a baby?” Parents have used swaddling for ages, and there is a good reason. It’s great for helping your baby feel safe and secure while keeping them nice and comfortable. This article will give you a thorough overview of swaddling, its benefits, and how to do it.
In This Article
- What Does It Mean To Swaddle A Baby?
- Why Should You Swaddle Your Baby?
- How To Swaddle A Baby?
- Important Things To Remember When Swaddling Your Baby
- How To Recognise Signs Of Discomfort When Swaddling?
- When Should You Stop Swaddling Your Baby?
Learning different swaddling techniques will be beneficial if you are a new parent or caregiver. Keep reading to find out more about how to swaddle your baby.
What Does It Mean To Swaddle A Baby?
Swaddling your baby is wrapping them in a blanket, completely covering their arms and legs and exposing their head. Swaddling creates a sensation similar to the womb, making your baby feel safe and secure.
Swaddling is often used to get babies to sleep. Furthermore, swaddling is a suggested method by many doctors to help soothe a restless baby.
Why Should You Swaddle Your Baby?
Whether or not you choose to swaddle your baby is entirely up to your personal preference as a parent or guardian. But why wouldn’t you use a method that has worked well for parents for many years?
Swaddling creates a familiar, comfortable and secure environment for your baby. The last few months the baby spent in the womb were rather constricting; they find the familiar feeling of being wrapped tightly in a blanket comforting.
Swaddling is also an excellent method to calm a restless baby. Giving a baby comfort and familiarity will help soothe them if they are irritable for no apparent reason. Combining swaddling with other methods of calming a cranky or overtired baby, like walking around swaying with them while saying “Shh,” will be a recipe for success in getting your baby to sleep fast.
How To Swaddle Your Baby?
Before we get into the steps of swaddling, let’s talk about the correct blanket you should use.
Technology and the intuition of many parents before you have made swaddling easy for new parents. You can buy blankets that are made specifically for swaddling. They are made of a thin, soft, and breathable material with guidelines to help you fold them. Alternatively, you can use any baby blanket that is appropriately sized and not too thick. Such blankets should only be used for swaddling, not to place on top of the baby for sleep.
Consider the temperature before you wrap the baby as well. Swaddling your baby when it’s cold is an excellent solution to keeping them comfortable and warm. But when it is hot, consider using a thinner blanket or swaddling them in a nappy only. Or it might be best to avoid wrapping them altogether if the heat is unbearable. Whichever swaddling method you choose, it is essential to ensure your baby does not become overheated, increasing the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Let’s take a closer look at how to swaddle your baby:
Step 1: The First Fold
Place your blanket on a flat surface in a diamond formation. Fold the top corner down towards the middle of the blanket. Ensure the top of the blanket is not straight because you need this edge for the next step.
Step 2: Placing The Baby
Place the baby in the centre of the blanket, face up, and with their shoulders in line with the straight edge created by your first fold. Avoid the swaddle blanket riding onto your child’s cheeks. The baby could turn their head so that the blanket covers the mouth or nose and obstructs breathing.
Step 3: Fold From The Right
Fold the right corner over your baby’s chest. Keep a reasonable amount of tension in the blanket as you fold it without making the fold too tight. Then, wrap the corner underneath your baby’s right arm. Try to get it flat underneath them. The bundled fabric might make it uncomfortable for your baby.
Step 4: Folding From The Bottom
Now, fold the bottom corner over your baby’s body until it covers its legs and arms. Tuck it in by the right shoulder so it doesn’t come loose. You want your baby to have a little space to move their legs and feet, so don’t wrap it too tight.
Step 5: Finishing Up
To finish your baby burrito, you must wrap the last corner over. Wrap the last corner over the baby, and ensure you cover the right shoulder. Check that swaddled babies are adequately secure so the blanket won’t loosen when they wriggle around while sleeping. Then, tuck the final corner in behind your baby.
The more you swaddle your baby, the easier the process will be. However, you must start again if your swaddle is loose. Having a loose swaddle increases the risk of SIDS. In addition, when the swaddle is open, your baby can accidentally pull the blanket over their face, which could lead to difficulty breathing or even suffocation.
Important Things To Remember When Swaddling Your Baby
As much as swaddling your baby can lead to better sleep, there are a few things you need to keep an eye on when you wrap.
- There should be enough space for you to be able to place two to three fingers between your baby’s chest and the blanket to ensure it’s not too tight.
- The swaddling blanket shouldn’t be tight around your baby’s hips. This can cause hip dysplasia, an abnormal moulding of the baby’s hip sockets, which can cause long-term disability. This way, they can still move their little legs with ease.
- Ensure the blanket’s material is appropriate for the room’s temperature or season. Summer swaddle blankets need to be lightweight and breathable to keep the baby cool but comfortable.
How To Recognise Signs Of Discomfort When Swaddling?
Signs of discomfort when swaddling include irritability, fighting the swaddle, and resisting sleep. Swaddling can be a lifesaver for new parents, but everything good must end, and your baby might outgrow the preference of being swaddled. While you might want to keep the swaddle for as long as possible, it’s important to honour your baby’s preferences.
We’ve detailed some of the signs of discomfort when swaddling below:
- Your baby thrashing their limbs when swaddling
- Your baby repeatedly breaking free from the swaddle through the night
- Your baby becoming more irritable and irate after being swaddled
- Your baby turning red, grunting, or crying relentlessly
- Your baby is fighting sleep
When you spot any of these signs while your baby is swaddled, you can either remove the swaddle or try swaddling them tighter. Your baby might be exhibiting these signs because the swaddle is not tight enough, and they don’t feel secure. However, remove the swaddle if these signs still persist even after you’ve tightened the swaddle.
When Should You Stop Swaddling Your Baby?
To avoid SIDS in babies, most doctors speak against giving your child a blanket until after the first birthday. However, swaddling is another situation altogether. You are placing your baby in an enclosed condition that restricts their movements, making it safe, especially when your baby can’t roll over yet.
The main issue comes when your baby can roll over while still unable to control their movements. Some infants turn onto their sides as early as two months old. Others begin to do so at four months or later. It’s a SIDS risk if a swaddled baby rolls onto the belly and cannot flip back over. Swaddling wraps their arms and legs in, meaning if they roll over onto their stomachs, they cannot support themselves while laying flat with their face pressed into the cot mattress. You can see the danger present in this situation.
Therefore, it’s best to stop swaddling baby as soon as they show signs of being able to roll onto their stomachs or control their movements. Maintaining a healthy level of caution when swaddling your baby is also always beneficial. Check on them often to ensure their safety.
Your baby might have grown accustomed to this method of falling asleep if you have swaddled them to sleep regularly. You may need to slowly wean them off this method of falling asleep by getting them used to other ways. A safer option similar to swaddling is the sleep sack. It is identical to the swaddle in how you wrap your baby, but it leaves your baby’s legs and arms free to move, making it a much safer option for infants who can roll over.
Final Thoughts On How To Swaddle A Baby
Swaddling is great for keeping your baby calm, especially during their nighttime sleep when they’re nowhere near you. It helps them feel comfortable, safe, and secure. Follow the steps we have given you above to swaddle your baby successfully; the more you practice, the easier it will get. Remember, as soon as your baby can roll over onto their stomach, it is time to stop swaddling them.