It is essential to use common sense when it comes to baby swaddling because it is one of the good ideas on how to calm your baby. You lay a blanket down put your baby on it, and then tuck the edges, making her look like a little papoose, works like absolute magic, especially to those cranky newborns. Swaddling gives your baby that womb feel or like he is being snuggled close, helping him sleep better because he feels safe and secure. It is useful especially for babies with neurologic problems or colic and for newborns born addicted to drugs. When wrapping your baby, ensure it is their bodies wrapped and not their neck or head, and make sure it is not too tight to leave enough space for him to breathe.
Page Contents
Benefits Of Swaddling Your Little Ones
When the process of swaddling done correctly, it has several benefits to both the parent and the baby:
- Swaddling helps your baby sleep longer and more soundly.
- Babies can experience less anxiety.
- Prevents unnecessary wake-ups brought about by the startle reflexes. The baby’s legs and hands are contained as they’re wrapped gently in a blanket, meaning they will be less likely to startle and awake themselves with their flailing limbs.
- You are saved from the problems of finding comfort items like pillows, bumpers, stuffed animals, blankets, etc.
- Minimizes the risks of your baby hurting himself, e.g., scratching his face.
- Gives your baby that touch feels, especially when they wake up at night in a Love to dream sleepsuit.
- Allows the kid to sleep on his back.
- Helps the baby sleep on his own, self soothe; they should sleep with their hands-over-heart position, which is the preferred sleeping position.
- Moms and dads are also able to sleep more.
What To Avoid When Swadling
Swaddling is potentially unsafe if not done carefully and properly. Making it too tight may affect your child’s mobility and development. Placing his legs together and straight down will increase the chances of him developing problems with their hips in a condition called hip dysplasia. Ensure there is enough room for your baby to move her legs and feet or to be able to bend his legs up and down at the hips. Other risks include your baby overheating if they’re wrapped in many blankets, or the covers are made of thick fabric or if they are wrapped too tightly. Ensure your swaddling is not routine as it may suppress the baby’s voice, delaying the baby’s response.
Safety Tips
- Ensure the swaddle blanket are thin and light.
- Do not swaddle above his shoulders to leave his head open.
- Always place your baby to sleep on her back, and as soon as he reaches the rolling over the stage, you should stop swaddling.
- Check your baby’s temperature regularly to reduce the risk of SIDS.
You should shop now for your perfect baby swaddle from stores like Love to dream for your baby to sleep properly.
How should you choose a good swaddle?
When you look for a swaddle cloth/blanket for your baby, you need to consider several aspects:
- Ease of use
- Your baby’s size
- The size, material, and elasticity of the blanket.
Many mothers like using a square size for the swaddle blanket. Don’t forget to consider the season your baby is born and the room’s temperature. An open weave will make the material more breathable and reduce the risk of overheating.
Material
Swaddles made from 100% bamboo cotton muslin are highly popular as they’re eco-friendly and very comfortable. The swaddling type you plan on using also affects the material you should pick, with stretchy or muslin as the main options.
Bamboo
If your baby has sensitive skin or a particular skin condition (eczema), we recommend you buy swaddles made from bamboo, as it alleviates the discomfort to some extent. Moreover, bamboo is very soft and antimicrobial. It’s not abrasive to the skin and keeps the harmful microbes away from your baby.
We also recommend bamboo because it’s moisture-wicking and highly absorbent. A bamboo swaddle will keep your baby’s skin fresh and dry, warm in the cold months, and cool in the summer. One downside to consider when buying is that bamboo is less durable than cotton. As a result, reputed manufacturers use a mix of 70% bamboo and 30% cotton to enjoy the benefits of bamboo and the durability of cotton.
Organic cotton
Swaddles made from organic cotton are hypoallergenic, which is why many parents choose them for their babies with sensitive skin or skin issues.
Muslin
As for muslin, we remind you that it refers to a looser style of weaving than traditional methods. The final product is more breathable than conventional materials, which is essential to reduce the risk of SIDS.
Style
The variety of styles is generous so that you can go with playful and vibrant colors or basic and neutral colors for the baby swaddle.
The type of swaddle
Similar to other kinds of baby gear, swaddles aren’t one-size-fits-all. As a matter of fact, there are several types you can choose from—some will work better for your baby than others. The main types to choose from are:
Traditional blanket swaddles
These are large and soft blankets that you use to wrap your baby up with a swaddling method of your choice. When your baby no longer needs swaddling, you can use them as blankets or burp cloths. Use a technique that stops the blanket from getting loose and pose a risk for suffocation. You should swaddle your baby so that he cannot roll.
Swaddling sacks
If you’re a parent for the first time, you might feel more comfortable using a swaddling sack. They come with Velcro, snaps, and zippers, so you don’t need to learn and master how to swaddle your baby.
Which swaddle method do you want to use?
Even if swaddling isn’t the most challenging job you will ever have as a parent, you still need to learn the basics to get comfortable results for your baby. You want your baby to enjoy the swaddling and not struggle every time you try. The thickness of the material comes into play when choosing the method, so do due diligence when picking a swaddling technique.
The diamond swaddle
It’s the fundamental swaddle technique, and the steps are easy to follow:
Step 1
Begin with the top corner of the blanket and fold it in a diamond shape. The fold should have the length of your baby.
Step 2
Put the baby on the fold after you secure it. Make sure that his neck and face are above the fold. Always support the neck while swaddling—the neck is so sensitive in the first months.
Step 3
You can hold the baby’s arms around his sides to outline the sides. If not, you can fold the hand over the tummy, similarly to the posture while in the womb. Make sure your baby is comfortable either way.
Step 4
Hold the blanket on the side of one arm and tuck it under the fist of the other arm. Use a downward direction and seek that the tucking holds the arm in place.
Step 5
Close the blanket’s bottom and fold the part at the bottom toward the upward direction, near the neck. Tuck the baby with the remaining side.
Step 6
Flip the left-over blanket from the second arm over from the legs to get a V-neck. Tuck it under the first arm and lift your baby to finish the swaddle.
Simple swaddle
You can use the method when the baby is bigger.
Step 1
Fold one corner downwards—it should be about a hand length.
Step 2
Place the baby on top of the blanket so that the top of the fold is above the neckline. Place the left arm down by his side and pick the left side of the blanket across the blanket. Tuck it underneath.
Step 3
Do the same for the right side.
Step 4
Fold the bottom of the blanket upwards and tuck in the top. Alternatively, you can tuck each side underneath your baby.
Hands up swaddle
Step 1
Place the swaddle blanket on a flat surface.
Step 2
Take one corner and fold it down; it should be as long as your baby’s body from neck to bum is. You should get a shape close to a triangle.
Step 3
Tuck the baby’s left hand underneath and fold what you make. Wrap the side across his body and tuck underneath him.
Step 4
Fold the blanket’s bottom and tuck the corner’s tip into the top of the swaddle. Make sure you have enough room at the bottom for the legs to move. The baby should sit comfortably in a frog position.
Step 5
Tuck the right hand underneath and fold. The hands should be close to her face and fold that side across the body. The “V” shape should form underneath the chin.
Step 6
Wrap the right side underneath. Tuck the end of the corner into the front of the swaddle.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to swaddle a 3-month old?
The safest time to stop swaddling is around 3months. Even if many babies start to roll over when they’re 3-4 months old, professionals recommend stopping swaddling earlier, from the moment the first signs of trying to roll develop.
Should you swaddle the baby with your arms out?
By the time your baby is 4-5 months old, you can begin the weaning process and wrap your baby with one arm out. Should your baby sleep tight and throughout the whole night, several nights in a row, you should consider giving up swaddling entirely.
Is it mandatory to swaddle a newborn?
Not all babies need swaddling. Some babies are happy without swaddling, so consider yourself blessed if yours is that way. Put your baby to sleep on his back to help him sleep better. It’s a great tip, no matter if you decide to swaddle your baby or not.
Is it safe to put a blanket over a swaddled baby?
If you also want to place a blanket over the swaddled baby, you need to make sure that you tightly wrap it around him. The blanket shouldn’t loosen throughout the night. Regardless of whether you swaddle your baby or not, you should never leave loose blankets or bedding in the crib with your baby. Should the baby unwrap the swaddling, the risk of suffocation is significant.
Will a swaddled baby sleep longer than an unswaddled one?
Research revealed that swaddling does increase the amount of sleep, especially when compared with babies who aren’t swaddled.
