Every newborn care class will teach you several essential parenting tips to help you get through parenthood. Bathing your baby, burping your baby, diapering your baby, and swaddling your baby—to name a few. If you cannot attend a newborn care class but still want to know how to swaddle your baby, you’ve come to the right place!
People have only been swaddling babies for centuries. The oldest archaeological evidence of mothers swaddling their babies begins in 4000 B.C.1,2,3 with the migrating peoples of ancient central Asia. The ancient Greeks and Romans swaddled. There are even biblical references to the practice. But why are all of these mothers swaddling their babies?
Benefits of Swaddling
1. Soothe Your Baby
If you aren’t familiar with pediatrician Dr. Harvey Karp and his wildly popular baby care book and video, The Happiest Baby on the Block, you should be. He talks about how to soothe your baby with the Five S’s. One of those S’s is Swaddling. He explains that swaddling triggers a “relaxation” mechanism in infants that helps soothe and lull them to sleep. This is why so many parents try swaddling. If something can help calm their child, they will do it. Research has shown that swaddling can decrease crying by 42% in infants 7 weeks or younger.4 So if your baby is overtired, overstimulated, or just fussy, swaddling him can help.
2. Better Night’s Sleep
Being swaddled is a familiar feeling for babies. It recreates the secure and cozy feeling of being inside the womb. While a newborn sleeps about 16 hours per day (in 3- to 4-hour increments), recreating a womb-like environment can help increase the amount of REM (rapid eye movement) sleep newborns get within those hours. This REM sleep is a deeper sleep state that makes it less likely for a baby to fully awaken when startled. Being swaddled prevents spontaneous movements called moro or startle reflexes from waking up, baby. His arms are tucked in the blanket, helping baby continue in his REM sleep cycle when the startle reflex occurs. All this means fewer trips for you to be with baby and a much more peaceful night’s sleep.
3. Reduce the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)
Studies have shown that babies who sleep on their stomachs are at higher risk of SIDS.5 This is why the “Back to Sleep” campaign started encouraging parents to put their babies on their backs. When you swaddle your newborn with his face up, your baby will be less likely to fidget, shift in sleep, and accidentally end up on his tummy.
4. Touch Therapy
Some touch therapists say swaddling can help develop an infant’s tactile system so they become comfortable with being touched, which is key to healthy development.6
All of these benefits explain why it’s a good idea to know how to make a nice, snug swaddle for your baby. The cozy wrapping allows your child to feel safe and secure. Here is a step-by-step guide to swaddling your baby.
How to Swaddle A Baby
Below I am writing out the Happiest Baby on the Block swaddle method, the “DUDU.” 😉
Start with a folded diamond.
Then do the right side tuck.
Do the up-and-around tuck.
Now the partial fold.
Now the finishing tuck.
Final thoughts on the do’s and don’ts of swaddling
- Do place your baby on their back to sleep while swaddled. Sleeping swaddled and on his belly can increase a baby’s risk of SIDS.
- Do use a light cotton blanket that is breathable and not liable to cause overheating.
- Don’t cover your baby’s face. This can lead to overheating or suffocation.
- Don’t wrap too tightly. Swaddling too snuggly could cause your baby to be at risk for overheating, decreased circulation, or over-extension of his hips and knees.
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