Everything You Need to Know About Swaddling

Swaddling

Newborns take a while to adjust to the outside world. From being tightly protected and secure in the mother’s womb, a baby is now exposed to a world of light, air, noises, and openness. To help ease the transition from the inside to the outside, several parents swaddle their babies.

Swaddling has been a common practice for several centuries now. Although swaddling is believed to be a custom restricted to only certain cultures and communities, it is practiced almost all over the world. In fact, one in five children in the UK is swaddled for the first few weeks after birth.

There are several ways that swaddling can help babies. However, it is important to understand what swaddling is and how it works. Read on to understand the basics of swaddling your baby.

Understanding The Swaddle

A swaddle is a light piece of fabric made of natural, breathable, and soft material. Swaddling involves wrapping the baby snugly using a swaddling cloth. This keeps them cosy and warm and gives the baby the impression of being in the mother’s womb. Babies wrapped in a swaddling cloth often tend to feel calm and fall asleep quickly.

Often, swaddling cloths are made from simple cotton fabrics or thin blankets available at home. Swaddling cloths and sleeping sacks available in baby stores are also sometimes used.

Why Swaddle A Baby

Sound, movement, and swaddling are considered among the best techniques to soothe a baby and get them to sleep. Here are some benefits of swaddling your little one:

• Imitation of being in the mother’s womb
• Helps soothe babies
• Reduces the startling reflex that newborns are often prone to
• Helps babies sleep longer

The most pronounced benefit of swaddling is that it helps the baby sleep on its back. This has gone on to protect several infants from sudden infant death syndrome or SIDS. This is a condition where babies accidentally suffocate, often from turning onto their side or the stomach.

Risks In Swaddling Babies

There are no major risks involved when swaddling babies. However, here are some points to keep in mind when swaddling:

• Ensure your baby is sleeping on its back
• Check that your baby isn’t starting to get too warm from being swaddled
• Make sure the swaddling cloth does not come loose or obstruct breathing

Tips For Safe Swaddling

While we may all follow the steps to swaddling carefully, some additional pointers can help ensure that your baby is safe and comfortable. These include:

• Check that your baby isn’t sweating or feeling warm. Use thin, natural, and breathable material when swaddling
• Avoid swaddling above the shoulders and neck
• Stop swaddling when you notice your baby starts to feel uneasy or resists swaddling
• The swaddle should allow your baby’s legs to move at the hips.

Swaddling Done Right

Now that we have discussed the merits, demerits, and precautions in swaddling babies correctly, let’s understand how it’s done. Here are some simple steps that can help you swaddle your baby conveniently:

• Begin by spreading the swaddling cloth flat in a diamond shape. From the top, fold down so you have created a flat edge at the top.
• Place the baby so that the neck and shoulders are levelled with the flat top. Bend the elbows and place the arms either on the chest or near the baby’s face.
• Start at the left and wrap the cloth over the baby, tucking it firmly into the left side.
• Now fold from the bottom upwards. Ensure the cloth doesn’t cover the baby’s face and offers it enough room for movement.
• Now start at the right corner, wrapping over the baby and tucking under the right side. The baby’s weight will hold the cloth in place.

Swaddling – When To Stop

Often, your baby will let you know that they are outgrowing the need to be swaddled. If you find your baby starting to wiggle, free itself from the swaddle, or resist being swaddled, stop swaddling. You should stop swaddling if your baby is trying to roll onto its side. Normally, parents stop swaddling their babies between six and eight weeks after they are born.

Build A Bond With Your Baby

Parents will go to any lengths to ensure their newborns are safe and comfortable. While there are so many methods and practices commonly used, swaddling will never go out of style. A simple cloth, some loving care, and a snug tuck can help your baby relax, calm down, and enjoy sound sleep for longer. Maybe it’s time to give swaddling a try.

Conclusion

Swaddling is a timeless practice that offers numerous benefits for newborns, such as soothing comfort and better sleep. However, it requires careful attention to technique and safety precautions. Parents can use swaddling as a nurturing tool to bond with their baby, ensuring a peaceful and secure environment for their newborn's early weeks.