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Swaddling is the process of gently wrapping your baby in a light, breathable blanket to make them feel calm and sleepy. To avoid suffocation, they need to wrap only the body, not the neck or head. The idea of swaddling is to create the feeling of the mother’s womb – safe and comfortable.
This blog provides a comprehensive understanding of swaddling, its techniques and various safety tips that parents should consider.
What is swaddling?
Swaddling is the common practice of wrapping a baby securely in a blanket so that only the head is exposed and the rest of the body is comfortably snug in the blanket. Swaddling allows the baby to feel cozy and secure, as it is in the mother’s womb.
What are the types of swaddling?
Parents should start by choosing a breathable fabric or blanket. Here are the different types of swaddling:
1. Basic swaddling:
- For this method, parents should first lay the swaddling cloth on a flat surface, forming a diamond shape.
- The child must be carefully placed face up on the blanket.
- Parents should hold the child in place with one hand, and with the other hand, pull the corner of the blanket over the child’s body and place it under the child.
- Cover your baby’s feet by folding the bottom of the fabric, allowing enough room for the toes to wiggle comfortably.
- The rest of the fabric should be securely tucked under the child so that only the head and neck are visible.
- Experts advise parents to leave a space of two fingers so that the child feels comfortable and provides movement of fingers, feet, knees, hands and hips. Tight wrapping prevents the hips and knees from moving freely, causing hip dysplasia, a condition where the hip is misshapen and can easily dislocate the hip.
- Checking that the swaddle is tight is very important for easy baby movement.
2. Wrapping hands:
- In this method, parents should fold the top corner about halfway to the center of the fabric. Then place the baby on the cloth with the shoulders around the bent corner.
- With one hand, parents should hold the child in place, and with the other hand, run the corner of the blanket over the child’s body and tuck it under the armpit.
- Cover your baby’s feet by folding the bottom of the fabric, allowing enough room for the toes to wiggle comfortably.
- Parents should tuck the rest of the fabric securely under the baby’s other armpit so that the head, neck and arms are visible.
- Parents should make sure that the blanket is not too tight so as not to move the baby’s hips.
What are diapers?
Swaddling bags are a great alternative if parents want to swaddle their baby but aren’t confident in their swaddling skills. Swaddling bags are usually sleeping bags with extra fabric to quickly and easily wrap around your baby’s arms.
When should parents call a doctor?
Parents should consult their doctor if they have questions about how to safely swaddle their baby.
What precautions should be taken?
Parents should follow these tips for safe and hip-friendly swaddling:
- To avoid overheating, parents should consider the child’s temperature and surroundings and dress the child accordingly. They should also not swaddle babies if they are sick or have fever.
- They should use thin breathable materials such as cotton sheets or muslin to swaddle the baby. Parents should avoid putting anything else on the baby’s swaddle. They should follow safe sleep guidelines, which include placing the baby on a firm, flat surface free of other objects.
- To avoid suffocation, parents should swaddle the baby up to the shoulder and ensure that all materials are securely fastened and do not come loose when the baby moves.
- To reduce the risk of hip dysplasia, parents should use hip-friendly swaddle techniques and baby’s legs should be in a natural frog-like position, not straight down.
- They should always place a swaddled baby on their back, not on their front or side.
When should parents stop swaddling?
According to experts, parents should give up swaddling when the child can already roll. Some pediatric guidelines recommend that parents stop swaddling when the baby is two months old. If the parents’ baby rolls over early, swaddling should be stopped earlier.
Conclusion
Although not all babies respond to swaddling in the same way, parents should try it if they want their baby to sleep well. If they are nervous, they should double-check the swaddle to look at the baby’s mouth and nose to make sure the extra fabric isn’t covering them. They can check the baby’s hips and legs to make sure they move freely. Parents should also go through other checklists to make sure they have followed other safe sleep practices, such as putting their baby to sleep on their back.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
1. What are the benefits of swaddling a baby?
Some parents claim that swaddling helps their children relax quickly and sleep for longer periods of time. Studies show that swaddling is effective in calming crying babies. One study found that babies who were born early and swaddled were calmer, had improved neuromuscular development and muscle tone, reducing pain and discomfort.
2. What are the risks of swaddling a baby?
Research has shown that early swaddling can affect breastfeeding when babies don’t have the opportunity to have skin-to-skin contact during feeding. However, studies have yet to find long-term negative effects of breastfeeding.
Some people wonder if there are many benefits to encouraging a baby to sleep more deeply at night, since sleeping for longer periods gives them adequate rest.
3. Is it safe to swaddle babies?
Swaddling has a low risk for babies if parents follow safe sleep and hip-friendly swaddle guidelines. The current advice is to always put your baby to sleep on their back and avoid sleeping on their front or side, especially when the baby is being swaddled. Also, parents should stop swaddling their babies when they show the first signs of rolling over
4. How long can parents safely swaddle a baby?
Parents must introduce swaddling when the baby is newborn. If the baby shows signs that he is learning to roll over or can already roll over, parents should stop swaddling.
