In our modern world of parenting, there are certain traditional practices that we have continued and adapted. These practices are becoming a blessing for today’s busy parents who believe in attachment parenting, being conscious and choosing methods and products that are evidence-based and proven best for their babies.
Swaddles are one such product, and swaddling is one such practice that we have kept alive in today’s generation and reaping the benefits of! If you are wondering, “Are swaddles for my baby and me?” let us see the benefits of swaddles and whether or not you should be swaddling your baby.
Should I Swaddle My Baby?
Swaddling is a simple technique that involves wrapping your baby in a swaddling blanket to relax them. Swaddling your infant in her early months can be advantageous. The following are benefits of swaddling your baby that would help you decide if they are for you or not!
- Babies sometimes get startled in their sleep and get up crying. This is known as the startle reflex. Swaddling is known to reduce this and thus ensures your baby would sleep better, and you would sleep better.
- For the first few weeks, babies experience colic pain. Swaddles are known to reduce colic pain and help your baby be calmer.
- Some babies start feeling separation anxiety early on and sleep only if their caregiver touches them and senses the touch and warmth. Swaddles replicate this touch and warmth, and thus your baby would experience less anxiety, even if you are at a safe distance.
- Experts suggest that babies sleep on their backs until they gain neck control. Wrapping the baby in swaddles ensures that they sleep on their back, which helps avoid situations like Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
- While swaddling the baby, the natural position you would wrap them is the hands-over-heart position. This position helps babies soothe if they get up in their sleep and want to go back to sleep independently.
What Kind Of Swaddle To Buy
A hundred different swaddles are available in the market, from super cheap ones to expensive premium ones and various fabric and print choices. You can busy made in usa baby blanket for swaddling. However, here are a few things to keep in mind while investing in swaddles:
- Avoid swaddles that have snaps or Velcro to fasten them. Kids might feed restricted and constrained in those.
- Do not go for any synthetic material, multiple layered or stuffed swaddles. They can overheat your baby or lead to suffocation.
- Choose fabrics such as 100% organic cotton or mulmul cotton, such as SuperBottoms Mulmul Swaddles, as they are breathable, ultra-light and comfortable for the baby.
- Buy generously sized multipurpose swaddles that can be used as light blankets, stroller covers, etc.
How To Swaddle A Baby
Swaddles are a gift for all new parents, as long as the baby is comfortable being swaddled and enjoys the warmth. But ensuring that it is done correctly and that your baby is comfy and risk-free is essential. The following tips would help you to ensure risk-free swaddling:
- Use breathable and thin swaddles.
- Do not cover the head of the baby while swaddling.
- Keep the swaddle loose on the neck and chest to avoid any suffocation for your baby.
- If you plan to introduce swaddles, do it right when your baby is a newborn. They might not find it comfortable if introduced later at 2 – 4 months.
- If swaddling in summers, keep checking if your baby’s body temperature rises or they are overheated.
- Once your baby starts to roll over, it is advised to stop swaddling them.
Step By Step Swaddling
Step 1 – Spread and place the swaddle properly on a flat surface. You can choose to do this on the bed or the baby’s crib.
Step 2 – Fold one side of the swaddle a bit inwards in a triangle. This piece is where you would be placing your baby’s head. It is not safe to cover the head or face of the baby while swaddling. Thus, this small fold is made to make space for the baby’s head.
Step 3 – Place the baby comfortably on the swaddle.
Step 4 – Place your baby’s right arm on the side of their body. Then, pull the left hand up and pull the swaddle from the right side up and under their left arm.
Step 5 – Repeat the same on the left side. Put the hand of the baby on their side and pull the swaddle up.
Step 6 – Fold the corner towards the feet upwards. Keep it loose to give your baby some leg movement space.
Step 7 – Bring the two ends from left and right together and tie a single loose knot to secure the swaddle.
OR
You can also tuck the ends inwards instead of tying a knot with them.
Alternate Method
Swaddling is a dynamic practice and can be changed as per your baby’s preference. For example, some kids do not like their hands inside the swaddles. You can opt for a chest to feet swaddling in such a case. You can wrap your baby in the swaddle the same way mentioned above, but instead of hands at their sides, you can let the hands be out, and your kids might enjoy some exploring time playing with their hands and fingers while awake. The no arm swaddling method is also ideal for grown babies who are older than 3 – 4 months but still like the comfort and warmth of being swaddled.
Swaddling is an easy and convenient way of making your baby comfortable and putting them to sleep peacefully and without fuss. Once you master the art of swaddling, it will not take you more than a minute to securely swaddle the baby, and you can probably do it even in your sleep. But remember, you are opting for this for your baby’s comfort. If your baby feels uncomfortable, try different combinations or do not swaddle them at all. There are a hundred other ways of comforting your baby; your snuggles, hugs and kisses are the best! Happy Parenting!
