Swaddling Your Baby Might Save Your Sanity

Your newborn was safely protected in the coziness of your womb for nine months before being pulled into the big imperfect world.

No wonder swaddling your baby makes them feel the most comfortable.

But what is baby swaddling exactly?

Swaddling is precisely what the name suggests, snugly wrapping your precious little one in a receiving blanket (or a special swaddling blanket) to make your baby feel safe and secure.

Many parents of colicky babies swear by it, as my husband and I. Swaddling can also help some babies sleep more soundly at naptime or nighttime.

Swaddling: How do I do it?

Follow these basic steps to become a swaddling expert in no time at all quickly. Click here to watch a quick video if that helps.

1. Spread a receiving blanket on a flat, safe surface, and fold down a corner a few inches.

2. Place your baby diagonally on its back so the head rests above the fold (do not lay the baby’s head on the blanket). Pull one side corner of the blanket across their body and tuck it under the opposite arm and back.

3. Hold the opposite side corner and wrap your baby snugly while tucking it into the rest of the blanket.

4. Pull the lower corner to tuck it into the blanket under the baby’s chin to complete a secure swaddle. Special swaddling blankets are on the market, making this process much more straightforward, especially for first-time parents.

5. Make sure not to leave any folds or lumps on the underside of your baby that may cause discomfort when lying down. If your baby is more comfortable with their hands-free, you can wrap it below the arms so that they retain some movement.

How exactly does swaddling help my newborn?

– It is thought that swaddling resembles the closeness of the womb to make your baby feel secure. It provides the extra warmth your newborn might need until their body temperature control functions kick in.

– Swaddling babies helps them sleep well and are not awakened by their startle reflexes. A swaddled baby is easier to carry even while they are sleeping soundly.

– The most important thing to remember is that swaddling can help to calm your fussy or colicky baby and help him fall asleep faster.

– Before you start swaddling…

– Don’t cover your baby’s face or head since that could cause suffocation.

– Be sure to swaddle snuggly but not too tightly to cut off circulation to their limbs; leave some room for them to flex their legs.

– Avoid swaddling your baby in warm weather to prevent overheating, which could put your baby at risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).

– Once you become a swaddling expert, your baby may soon look forward to being cuddled up in a swaddle when it’s time to sleep.

– Once your baby becomes more active, it is time to stop swaddling. The cue is when they start kicking the swaddling blanket away from their body. Some babies might enjoy being wrapped up for much longer than others.

– There is no specific age limit for swaddling your baby, but 4-5 months is the consensus. Usually, by that age, babies are kicking off their blankets, which can become a suffocation hazard.

– Keep in mind that some babies don’t like to be swaddled. Abandon the practice if, after a few attempts, the baby continues to be restless when swaddling.