For new parents, often their first training of swaddling is from the nurses in the hospital.Swaddling gives the newborn a sense of being cocooned in the womb of their mother,aids sleep and keeps them calm.However, handling a delicate newborn and trying to master the swaddling technique is often scary for the new parents. Swaddling can also turn to be harmful if not done using the proper technique.This is why it is very important to correctly learn the technique.
What is Swaddling?
Swaddling is a technique of pacifying the babies by wrapping them in a blanket to ensure that the baby is cosy and comfortable. It also pacifies the baby by offering them warmth.
How to Swaddle Correctly
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Use only a thin blanket for swaddling.
- Always prefer cotton swaddles or warm swaddles with cotton lining.
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To swaddle, spread the blanket out flat, with one corner folded down.
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Lay the baby face-up on the blanket, with their head above the folded corner.
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Straighten their left arm and wrap the left corner of the blanket over your baby's body, tucking it between their right arm and the right side of their body.
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Then tuck the right arm down, and fold the right corner of the blanket over her body and under their left side.
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Fold or twist the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under one side of the baby.
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Make sure their hips can move and that the blanket is not too tight. You want to be able to get at least two or three fingers between the baby's chest and the swaddle
* As recommended by Dr Rachel Y. Moon, MD, FAAP
To reduce the risk of SIDS(Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), always:
- place your baby on their back to sleep, in a cot in the same room as you, for the first 6 months
- keep your baby's head uncovered – their swaddle should be properly tucked in.
- Place your baby on their back to sleep after swaddling.
- Do not put your baby to sleep on their side or tummy.
- Do not keep loose items of clothing around your baby, remembers your precious little one has not yet developed the ability to remove anything from there body/face.
Keep Hips Loose
Babies who are swaddled too tightly may develop a problem with their hips. Studies have found that straightening and tightly wrapping a baby's legs can lead to hip dislocation or hip dysplasia. This is an abnormal formation of the hip joint where the top of the thigh bone is not held firmly in the socket of the hip.
The Pediatric Society today promotes "hip-healthy swaddling" that allows the baby's legs to bend up and out.
When to Stop Swaddling
Once your baby is old enough to roll over, stop swaddling to minimize any impact on their mobility and motor development.
Still Mastering the swaddling technique, why not use our pre-made swaddles especially made with inner cotton lining for baby's delicate skin and of thick outer material to keep them warm.