How and When to Swaddle Your Baby
The mothers have been wrapping their infants in Swaddle blankets for many years. No matter if you’re a brand-new parent an experienced one or a veteran, you can certainly benefit from the extra rest from swaddling your infant will offer.
Swaddling your child could be something of an art. Wrap this around, then tuck it in. It’s not easy especially when you’re preparing to feed your baby at three a.m. feed. The practice of swaddling the baby will aid you in getting more sleep. This will also make the baby feel safe and comfortable as he did during birth. The Best Swaddle Blankets For Newborns to warp your baby.
Why do we swaddle?
You may think that swaddling your child every night they sleep (which is quite a bit) is too much work However, there are numerous benefits of wrapping your infant. Here are some benefits you and your baby can enjoy:
- Swaddling helps protect your baby from their natural reflex to startle and provides a better night’s sleeping for you both.
- It can help soothe the baby who is colicky.
- It eases anxiety in your infant by mimicking your gesture and helps your child learn to soothe themselves.
- It helps keep her hands off her face and also helps to prevent scratching
- It can help your baby sleep better and also better
- It can help prevent SIDS by keeping things like blankets, pillows and toys out of the crib
- It helps keep your baby’s back secure as he sleeps.
Related: 11 Health Benefits of Yogurt
How do you swaddle your baby
If you’ve never had the pleasure of swaddling your baby, it may appear to be a difficult process. However, it doesn’t have to be. Try the following steps several many times and you’ll become an expert.
Spread the blanket on a smooth flat surface. The blanket should be laid out in a diamond-shaped pattern with the top of the diamond pointed towards you.
Fold in your blanket’s top. This should create a loose triangle. Your baby should be placed with his feet pointed towards you. His shoulders should be beneath the fold of the blanket.
Place your baby’s right arm in front of your body with his arms slightly bent. Take the same part of the blanket upwards towards your child’s left arm and body. Tuck it under your baby. The baby’s left arm should be free.
Fold the bottom of the swaddle to the side and place it over your baby’s feet. If the blanket is large enough, you can tuck it behind the shoulder of your child.
Complete the Swaddle with a pull of the other part of the swaddle to the top as well over the baby’s other arm and then across his body.
Tips for safety
While swaddling has many benefits, it’s important to ensure that you’re doing it properly to avoid discomfort or danger to your child. Be sure to follow these safety guidelines:
- Be careful not to wrap too tightly. The tightness of your baby’s swaddle that he is unable to move his legs or hips could hinder the development that happens in hip. Make sure you have a snug enough swaddle that holds your infant’s arms in a firm position without completely blocking her body.
- Always place your baby on his back following swaddling.
- Stop from swaddling your baby as quickly when he is able to roll over.
- Do not double-up on blankets while you swaddle. The extra weight can cause your child to overheat. It is also more difficult to dislodge and increase the danger of suffocation.
The act of swaddling your child is an excellent method to help him sleep better. If your baby is sleeping better, so will you. When you’ve learned how to wrap a baby in a swaddle you’ll be able to do it at night (literally)!