The Art of Swaddling: A Guide to Baby Safety
Baby swaddles, those snug wraps that cocoon infants in softness, have become a cherished tool for parents seeking to provide their little ones with a sense of security and peaceful sleep. In this post, we delve into the why, how, and when of swaddling, exploring the benefits and the different styles.
Benefits of swaddling: Swaddling is more than a cute tradition; it offers a myriad of benefits for newborns. In many ways, newborns are still fetuses. Humans have big heads so our babies are pushed from the birth canal before they are done ‘cooking’ and their heads get too big! As a result, newborns have immature nervous systems meaning they cannot control their arms and are susceptible to waking themselves up with their own startle reflex. The gentle pressure of a swaddle provides a sense of containment and keeps those pesky uncontrollable arms from flailing. For more on the developing nervous system, check out The Happiest Baby Guide to Great Sleep by Harvey Karp, M.D. (from Amazon) and What’s Going on in There? by Lise Eliot, Ph.D. (from Amazon).
Choosing the right swaddle: Not all swaddles are created equal, and finding the right one for you and your baby is key. The most basic swaddle is the Muslim blanket, but it requires some origami skills. I was not particularly skilled at swaddling and my newborn squirmed her way out of every swaddle (even when applied professionally by the hospital nurses).
We quickly transitioned to the modern swaddles that velcro. There are some cheaper models out there, but the best we found zip at the bottom for those middle of the night diaper changes. Check out Comfy Cubs Swaddle Blankets on Amazon.
What if Baby likes wearing the swaddle once it’s on but dislikes the act of being swaddled? We found that the vest style worked best– we could put on the vest well before bedtime and wait to velcro the wings until Baby was almost asleep. These vest-style adjustable velcro swaddles are generally be double zippered and are also available on Amazon.
When to swaddle: Swaddling benefits babies as soon as they are born and can be used for bedtime and naps. Swaddling is even one of the 5 S’s that work wonders for soothing babies discussed by Harvey Karp, M.D. in his book The Happiest Baby on the Block (from Amazon).
However, once Baby can role from back to tummy, it is time to STOP swaddling for sleep!!! Check out our next post to see why.
