Swaddling can make your baby relaxed, secured, and undisturbed by his startle-reflex or the jerks he experiences while sleeping. If your baby is overstimulated, swaddling can also help him calm down.
Swaddling with the use of a comfortable velcro swaddle can apply a subtle amount of pressure around the baby’s small body, making him feel safe and secure. This pressure simulates the kind of physical forces he used to feel inside his mother’s womb. This can help your baby sleep, too.
Never forget to stop swaddling as soon as your baby can roll over to his tummy. If you still wrap him in this stage, he might have a hard time turning himself back. This can increase the risk of SIDS or sudden infant death syndrome as your baby may have a hard time breathing. Also, remember to let your baby sleep on his back.
How can you safely swaddle your baby?
Here is a list of things to help you safely swaddle your baby:
- Spread a muslin or cotton sheet out flat and fold one of the top corners of the sheet to about 6 inches or 15 centimeters in depth.
- Make your baby lie on his back on the cotton sheet. Allow his neck to rest against the sheet’s fold.
- Wrap your baby by folding the top left-hand corner of the cotton sheet across his body and tucking it under his left arm.
- Pull the sheet’s bottom left-hand corner and tuck it over your baby’s left arm and shoulder.
- Pull the right corner of the sheet and wrap your baby’s back with it. Make sure to keep his neck and head uncovered.
- Make sure the baby is able to move his knees and hips freely. Allow him to bend his hips outwards and upwards.
- Since some babies like their arms to be free, you can still follow the instructions above, but make sure to tuck each corner of the velcro swaddle under your baby’s armpit instead of his shoulders.
What to avoid when swaddling your baby?
Here is a list of Don’ts when swaddling your baby:
- Don’t wrap your baby with the swaddle too tightly. This can hamper his physical growth and development. Always check if your baby has enough room to move his hips and legs up and out. Swaddling your baby too tightly can make his legs pressed straight down together, leading to such hip problem as hip dysplasia.
- Don’t cover your baby’s face or neck with the blanket, and make sure he doesn’t feel overly hot. It’s ideal to use a velcro swaddle for swaddling. The main point is to keep the baby feeling safe and secure without making him feel too hot.
- Don’t swaddle if there is a high risk of SIDS., Especially during the baby’s second to third months, avoid wrapping him in a swaddle. If you want to start swaddling, the safest would be right after birth. You can swaddle your infant every night-time or day-time sleep.
- If you need to leave your baby to the care of someone else, make sure to teach that person the proper and safe way of doing it. Also, make sure that that person knows how to make the baby sleep on his back.
Where can you buy a safe, comfortable, and high-quality swaddle?
When it comes to swaddling, the safety of your child is a priority. If you already know how to wrap your child in a swaddle properly, it’s time to choose a reliable swaddle partner like Sungglebumbkinz, who can give you peace of mind.
There are plenty of benefits in swaddling your baby. With this simple yet practical guide on baby swaddling, there is nothing to worry when it comes to this special way of wrapping your baby, even if you are a first-time parent!
