Should I Swaddle My Newborn?

If you swaddle your newborn, he or she will feel more safe and comfortable, and the jerking movements caused by the startle reflex are less likely to wake him or her. If your infant is overstimulated, this could help him relax. Your baby may feel more at ease because of the gentle pressure that is applied to his body when he is swaddled. He feels the same sort of pressure he did while he was within your womb (uterus). Allowing your infant to sleep in your bed may assist. However, keep in mind that not all infants love being swaddled. Your toddler will let you know very soon!

As soon as your baby demonstrates the ability to roll over onto his side or tummy, you should stop swaddling him. It's possible he won't be able to roll over if he's swaddled. This raises the possibility that he will have trouble breathing, which in turn raises his risk of SIDS (SIDS). Sleeping on one's back is the safest position for a baby.

Swaddling is a technique typically taught to new parents by medical staff. You can help calm your infant by wrapping him or her in a blanket like you would in the womb. When done properly, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) claims swaddling can help soothe infants and encourage sleep. However, there are several precautions you should take if you want to swaddle your baby at home.

If you are expecting your first child or have recently become a parent, you have no doubt been inundated with parenting advice. Nearly any piece of gear may be researched in depth throughout ten pages of Google results. It appears that this recommendation also changes every few months. The decision of whether or not to swaddle is often the first thing parents wonder about when they are up all night with a newborn and their eyes are fuzzy with happiness (and lack of sleep).

In the United States, you can expect a baby to arrive in a cute little burrito. Almost everyone does the standard thing and snaps a picture of the newborn wrapped in a plain white blanket. The same applies to having a baby in the UK. However, support for the practice is dwindling in Canada, even though numerous hospitals still instruct new parents in its use. Why? It turns out that there are positives and drawbacks to the procedure that have been thoroughly investigated.

Avoid swaddling your child too tight, as this could stunt his physical growth. Make absolutely sure he has enough of space to lift his legs and spread his hips at all times. Issues with his hips are more likely to occur if you swaddle baby with his legs squeezed together and down (hip dysplasia). Make sure your kid doesn't become too hot, and avoid covering his face or neck with the sheet. Swaddling should be done using a light blanket or muslin. Be sure he is at a comfortable temperature by checking it often. Rather than keeping him warm, the goal of swaddling would be to create a sense of safe.

Avoid starting swaddling between the ages of two and three months, when the risk for sudden infant death syndrome is highest. Swaddling is safest if done right after birth and during all sleep times, day and night. Make sure whoever is taking care of your kid knows the proper way to swaddle him. Make sure they understand to always place your baby to sleep onto his back by giving them a demonstration.

If your infant is comfortable and content when swaddled, there's no need to break the habit. You may find that you and your baby bond better with some intimate skin-to-skin time during breastfeeding if you remove his swaddle. Watch for signs that your infant is getting tired. Your kid probably doesn't like being swaddled anymore if he starts kicking out of it every day. Looking for blankets for baby cot? Look no further. My Baby Nursery has you covered.

Return To Sleep

Every time you put your baby to sleep, he should be on his back to lessen the risk of Sudden Infant Death (SIDS). If your infant is being swaddled, this could be even more crucial. Putting a swaddled baby to sleep on their stomach, or having them roll over onto their stomach, has been linked to a higher risk of sudden infant death syndrome and unintentional asphyxia, according to AAP task committee chair and FAAP fellow Rachel Moon, MD. Swaddled infants should only be placed on their backs and closely watched to ensure they don't roll over.

What's The Point Of Swaddling?

Securing a newborn in a blanket so tightly that he or she cannot move its arms or legs is called swaddling. It is believed that wrapping a baby in a swaddle will give them the same comfort they felt inside the womb and help soothe their screaming. Baby's more, or "startle reflex," can be mitigated by gently wrapping her to ensure she doesn't wake up throughout the night. The primary goal of swaddling is to prevent the infant from waking up from a startle and thus prolong their sleep. Swaddling babies has become popular because it allows parents to get some extra shut-eye.

What Are The Advantages Of Swaddling My Child?

Many parents report that swaddling helps their infant relax and go off to sleep. However, there is scant evidence to back up these speculations. Another benefit of swaddling is that it reduces the number of times an infant wakes up from the startle reflex. This is because when a newborn is swaddled, their arms and legs are enclosed under the blanket. They won't be as prone to jolt themselves awake by swinging their limbs around in the dark.

The first 3 months in your baby's existence are increasingly seen as a fourth trimester by some parents. The first 3 months on your baby's life are a crucial time of development as they adjust to life outside the womb. In light of this, it stands to reason that infants take pleasure in being wrapped softly (not too tightly) so they can experience the same sense of safety they felt when still inside the mother's womb. The medical community is split on whether or not swaddling is beneficial. If you're thinking about swaddling your baby, you should know that there are specific criteria you may follow to keep your child safe. My Baby Nursery has a wide range of baby cot nursery blankets to choose from. 

Swaddling Issues

Though it may seem like a no-brainer, swaddling has both advantages and disadvantages. When wrapping your infant in a swaddle, there are certain key safety considerations you should be aware of. Some examples of these dangers are suffocation, hip dysplasia, and overheating. Many of these dangers, however, can be prevented via careful and secure wrapping.

Understand The Risks

Dr. Moon warns parents that there are potential dangers associated with swaddling. Swaddling a newborn may make it more difficult for the baby to become aroused from sleep. That's why swaddling is so popular with new parents, she explained; "the baby sleeps more but doesn't get up as quickly." To the contrary, "we know that increased arousal may be an issue and maybe one of the major reasons that newborns die of SIDS."

Overheating

Infants are not great at maintaining a steady internal temperature. They can overheat as rapidly as they can chill shortly after a shower. Experts attribute more sudden infant deaths to overheating in the winter. Swaddling can be uncomfortable if the room is already at a comfortable temperature and the wearer is wearing warm pajamas. A fan can be a useful tool for temperature regulation in hotter areas or seasons.

Rolling Over

Even if a swaddled baby resting on her back is perfectly secure, once she learns to turn over, the game changes. Babies often begin rolling over between the ages of 3 and 6 months, although it could take longer for them to master the back-to-front roll. Babies can no longer be safely swaddled after they can turn over on their own, in any direction. By now, your baby has probably outgrown the swaddle and is ready to wear something more conventional like a sleep bag or maybe simply pajamas to bed.

AAP Sleep Safety Recommendations

Every time you put your baby down for a nap or at night, you should follow the AAP's safe sleep recommendations:

• Your baby will sleep better if you put her on her back and keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't turn over while she's swaddled.
• In the cot, there should be no dangling toys or blankets. If your baby is covered in a loose blanket, even an unwrapped swaddling blanket, his or her face may be smothered.
• Be wary of goods that promise to reduce sudden infant death syndrome. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that there is no evidence that using wedges, positioners, special mattresses, or other customized sleep surfaces can lower the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). ​
• Keep your infant in her own cot or cot, not in bed with you.
• Stop letting your baby become too hot, as this increases the risk of overheating when swaddled. If the infant is showing signs of overheating including rapid breathing, shivering, sweating, and a rash, they may be too hot.
• Pacifiers aren't only for babies, and you might want to give one some thought for your little one's nap and sleep routine.
• Put your crib in a spot that is never going to have smoke around it.

Breastfeeding Access

The practice of swaddle has been criticised on the grounds that it prevents skin-to-skin contact and, by extension, nursing. Originally intended for premature infants, skin-to-skin contact is now thought to benefit all newborns by aiding in temperature and respiratory regulation, easing the transition to life outside of the womb, and stimulating milk production. There's a theory that if an baby sleeps better while swaddled, he's not getting enough feedings in the beginning.

To put it simply, the answer is straightforward. While it's true that some infants perform better when they're not swaddled when they're feeding, swaddling can also assist soothe an upset infant so that they can eat. The baby can be swaddled to help it relax, and then the swaddling can be loosened or even removed so that breastfeeding can take place. Immediately following feeding, swaddle your infant for sleep. Success in breastfeeding is the outcome of mutual education between mother and infant; the mother who takes the time to learn her baby's cues has a significant advantage. Swaddling and breastfeeding an uncovered infant can coexist; it just depends on the baby.

Natural placement

Researchers have found a link between tight swaddling and hip dysplasia, a condition that affects the development of a baby's hip joint. Trying to make sure you don't wrap your infant too tightly can help reduce the likelihood of this happening. Swaddling your newborn properly can also help lower your child's risk of developing hip dysplasia. If you want your baby to kick, they need to be able to move its hips and knees. Legs of a newborn baby should be free to flop into a frog pose.

Swaddling And The Risk Of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

The link between swaddling and SIDS has not been conclusively established. In most Western countries, the number of infant deaths attributed to sudden infant death syndrome has been decreasing over the past few decades. The widespread advice that babies are safest when lying on their backs instead of their stomachs or sides is likely to have contributed to this trend.

Babies that are swaddled are less likely to roll over onto their stomachs, which may reduce their risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Yet if a baby could roll over, they may be at higher risk of SIDS whether they're swaddled. This is due to the fact that swaddling prevents a newborn from lifting and turning its head, both of which are necessary to prevent asphyxia.

Hip Dysplasia

It is possible for hip dysplasia to exist from birth or to develop later in life. Experts have discovered that a baby's risk of getting the disease and requiring treatment increases dramatically if they are swaddled too tightly or with their arms and legs straight down. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute recognizes the benefits of swaddling and is assisting parents learn how to swaddle their children in a way that prevents hip dysplasia. Their preferred method of swaddling involves a slight upward and outward bending of the baby's legs at the hips.

How Should You Swaddle?

• To swaddle, lay the blanket flat and fold down one corner.
• Place the infant on the blanket with her face up and her head just above corner that has been folded over.
• Get her left arm straight, then wrap the blanket's left corner around her and tuck it in between her upper forearm and the side on her body on the right.
• Next, fold the right hand corner of a blanket over her torso and under the left side, and tuck her right arm down.
• The bottom of a blanket should be folded or twisted loosely and tucked under the baby's side.
• It's important to provide some room for her hips so she can move around under the blanket. Two to three fingers should fit easily between the swaddled baby's chest and your arms.

Alternatives

When the nurse walks in and swaddles your newborn, she makes it look like she's doing it in no time at all. Once you, your wriggling infant, and your security blanket return home, things may change. Pre-made wraps have been created by numerous companies to make swaddling simple and risk-free for parents.

Typically, the baby wrap has a bag or sleepsack at the bottom to allow for free movement of the baby's hips and legs and a wrap closure at the top to secure the baby's arms. Some brands, like Love To Dream, forego the traditional wrap top in favor of a zipped bag that may be carried with the hands free. The Magic Merlin Sleepsuit provides the "input" or compression of a swaddle with no risk of breaking loose as the legs and arms are free in the suit, making it ideal for the infant who has escaped the wrap but still needs the startle reflex. We have the best range of baby nursery blankets to keep your baby just right day and night. 

A Parent's Choice

Ultimately, swaddling is just one option among several for new parents. Not every baby will go asleep peacefully even when swaddled, but some will. Knowing how to swaddle properly and when to transition your baby away from the traditional blanket is crucial information for any parent considering swaddling. Remember that the studies and data cited here focus on putting newborns to sleep swaddled. It is not advised to wrap your baby while she is awake, since she will benefit from being free to move & explore her surroundings. However, there are other methods available than swaddling to assist put your baby into sleep at night.

Conclusion

A common method of calming a fussy newborn is swaddling, which parents can learn from medical professionals. Swaddling, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics, can calm and settle newborns and put them to sleep if done correctly. If you plan on swaddling your infant at home, there are a few safety measures you should follow. Both the benefits and downsides of the method have been studied extensively. The safest time to swaddle is immediately after delivery, and it can be done at any time of day or night.

If you and your infant have trouble bonding, you might find that removing the wrap helps. The practise of swaddling infants has gained popularity as a way for tired parents to catch some additional Zs. Even in the medical world, opinions on whether or not swaddling helps vary. When a baby is swaddled, he or she is less likely to wake up from a startle reassure. All your needs can be met by shopping at My Baby Nursery, where we stock a broad variety of nursery blankets for use in baby cots.

Swaddling can pose risks, and Dr. Moon wants parents to know about them. The process of swaddling a newborn may make it harder for the baby to wake up from a nap. When infants have the motor skills to roll over on their own, in any direction, they are no longer able to be swaddled safely. Your infant could be suffocated if he or she is wrapped in a loose blanket, even an unsecured swaddling blanket. In order to promote healthy development, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests that babies sleep in a crib or separate bed.

It all depends on the baby, but swaddling and breastfeeding an exposed infant are both options. Although swaddling may seem like a good idea, some infants do better when they are free to move around while they are fed. Proper swaddling of a newborn can also protect against hip dysplasia. When a newborn is swaddled, it is unable to lift or turn its head, two actions that are critical in preventing accidental suffocation. Swaddling has been shown to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia, and the International Hip Dysplasia Institute is helping parents learn the proper technique. Many businesses have produced pre-made wraps to make swaddling infants easy and safe. Legs and arms are free while still receiving the "input" or compression of a swaddle in the Magic Merlin Sleepsuit.

Content Summary

1. The solution may be as simple as letting the baby share your bed.
2. Stop swaddling your baby as soon as he or she exhibits the capacity to roll over onto their side or tummy.
3. Sleeping on one's back is the safest position for a baby.
4. Wrapping your newborn in a blanket, as you would while they were still inside your womb, will help soothe them.
5. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) suggests swaddling as a way to calm and settle a baby before bed.
6. Although swaddling your infant at home has many benefits, there are some safety measures you should consider.
7. Taking a picture of a newborn baby wrapped in a simple white blanket is almost universal practise.
8. The same applies to having a baby in the UK.
9. Support for the practise, however, is diminishing in Canada, despite the fact that many hospitals still provide parents with training on how to use it.
10. A child's physical development could be stifled if he or she is swaddled too tightly.
11. Always give him plenty of room to widen his hips and lift his legs.
12. Check his temperature frequently to make sure he is not uncomfortable.
13. Swaddling should not be initiated between the ages of two and three months, as this is the time when the risk for SIDS is highest.
14. The safest time to swaddle is immediately after delivery, and it can be done at any time of day or night.
15. It is important that whoever is caring for your child knows how to swaddle him safely and effectively.
16. Keeping your baby swaddled is a wonderful practise if it helps keep him or her calm and happy.
17. Without the barrier of the wrap, you and your baby can have some close skin-to-skin time when breastfeeding, which may help you both feel closer.
18. Baby fatigue is a real thing, so keep an eye out for it.
19. Cease Waking Up And Go Back To Sleep Your infant should always sleep on his back to reduce the risk of SIDS (SIDS).
20. Putting a swaddled baby to sleep on their stomach, or having them roll over onto their stomach, has been associated to an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome and unintentional asphyxia, according to AAP task committee head and FAAP fellow Rachel Moon, MD.
21. Babies who have been swaddled should only be placed on their backs and should be watched carefully to make sure they don't roll over.
22. Swaddling is the practise of wrapping a baby so tightly in a blanket that it cannot move its arms or legs.
23. Swaddling helps babies stay asleep longer by reducing the likelihood of a startle response.
24. Swaddling can also lessen the amount of times an infant wakes up during the night due to the startle reaction.
25. Your baby's transition to life outside the womb, the first three months of existence, are critical to their future growth and development.
26. A parent's primary concern while swaddling an infant should be the baby's safety.
27. Suffocation, hip dysplasia, and hyperthermia are only a few instances.
28. However, with proper and secure wrapping, many of these risks can be avoided.
29. Recognize The Dangers Swaddling can pose risks, and Dr. Moon wants parents to know about them.
30. The process of swaddling a newborn may make it harder for the baby to wake up from a nap.
31. If the room is at a comfortable temperature and the wearer is dressed in warm pyjamas, swaddling may be unpleasant.
32. Babies often start rolling between 3 and 6 months, though it may take longer for them to perfect the back-to-front roll.
33. Your baby may have outgrown the swaddle and is now ready to transition to a sleep bag or perhaps just pyjamas for bedtime.
34. AAP Sleep Recommendations for Safer Nights You should always adhere to the AAP's safe sleep recommendations whenever you put your baby down for a nap or at night: You should put your baby to sleep on her back while swaddled so that you can keep an eye on her to make sure she doesn't roll over.
35. Products claiming to prevent SIDS should be approached with caution.
36. No evidence suggests that utilising wedges, positioners, special mattresses, or other tailored sleep surfaces reduces the incidence of SIDS, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) (SIDS).
37. Your baby needs to sleep in her own crib or cot, not in bed with you.
38. If your infant gets too warm, swaddling might become dangerous.
39. Locate your baby's nursery far away from any sources of smoke.
40. Possibility of Breastfeeding Critics of swaddling argue that it prevents skin-to-skin contact, and thus nursing.
41. Some people believe that if a baby sleeps better when swaddled, it's because he's not getting enough to eat at first.
42. Baby should be swaddled for sleep right after feeding.
43. It just fits there naturally. Hip dysplasia is a problem that affects the development of a baby's hip joint, and studies have identified a correlation between tight swaddling and this disorder.
44. Proper swaddling of a newborn can also protect against hip dysplasia.
45. The Connection Between Swaddling and SIDS Unfortunately, a definitive link between swaddling and sudden infant death syndrome has not been found.
46. This is because a swaddled baby is less likely to be able to breathe because it cannot lift or turn its head, two critical movements that help prevent accidental suffocation.
47. Hip dislocation Hip dysplasia may be present at birth or may manifest in later life.
48. Researchers have shown that swaddling a baby excessively tightly or with their arms and legs straight down significantly increases their risk of contracting the condition and requiring treatment.
49. Swaddling has been shown to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia, and the International Hip Dysplasia Institute is helping parents learn the proper technique.
50. One of their favourite swaddling techniques involves gently bending the baby's legs at the hips, both upward and outward.
51. Baby blankets should be tucked loosely under the baby's side with the bottom folded or twisted.
52. There should be enough space for two or three fingers to fit between the swaddled baby's chest and your arms.
53. Many businesses have produced pre-made wraps to make swaddling infants easy and safe.
54. The baby's hips and legs are free to move in the bag-like bottom of the baby wrap, while the arms are held securely in place by the wrap closure at the top.
55. Your infant will be comfortable day and night with our wide selection of premium blankets for the nursery.
56. It's Up to the Parents Swaddling is only one method among many that parents can use on their newborns.
57. If you're thinking about swaddling your baby, it's imperative that you know how to do it correctly and when to make the switch from the blanket to other forms of swaddling.
58. Keep in mind that all of the research and statistics presented here include swaddling infants before bed.
59. A newborn who is awake shouldn't be wrapped since she will thrive when she has the freedom to move and explore her environment.
60. If you're having trouble getting your baby to sleep at night, swaddling isn't the only option.