New parents strive to provide their babies with the highest level of comfort, security, and affection. Swaddling is an age-old technique that aims to achieve exactly this. It involves wrapping the baby in a specific manner with a blanket, which helps them feel as secure as they did in the womb. Swaddling also helps your baby feel nurtured and protected, which strengthens the bond between you and your baby. This guide will teach you how to swaddle your baby perfectly to ensure they're comfortable and safe.
The Hidden Benefits of Swaddling
Swaddling is often seen as a simple way to help newborns sleep better, but its benefits go beyond that. Listed below are some of the lesser-known advantages of swaddling that can enhance your parenting as well as your baby's early development.
1. Improving Neurological Development
Swaddling has a positive impact on a baby's neurological development, especially in the early stages. Preterm infants show significantly better neuromuscular development when swaddled correctly. This benefit of swaddling can be attributed to the snug wrap, which helps soothe the baby's nervous system by mimicking the pressure of the womb. It also reduces overstimulation, which helps the body focus on developing essential brain functions.
2. Reduced Colic Risk
When done correctly, swaddling can significantly reduce the risk of Colic. Keeping the baby on the back mitigates the risk of them rolling onto their stomach and prevents accidental suffocation. Safe sleeping techniques also reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, or SIDS and promote a deeper sleep cycle.
3. Promotes Muscle Development
The snug fit of the swaddle adds a bit of restraint to the baby's arms and legs. This encourages the active engagement and development of their core muscles. As the baby pushes against the swaddle, it serves as a form of exercise that promotes the growth and maturation of their muscles and motor skills. This interaction contributes to their physical development and lays the foundation for perfect hand-eye coordination.
4. Temperature Regulation
A well-wrapped swaddle helps regulate the body temperature of the baby. This is important because newborns can often have difficulty with temperature regulation. This can be particularly beneficial in places where temperature regulation is a challenge.
How To Wrap Your Baby Perfectly: A Step-by-Step Guide
1. Choosing The Right Baby Swaddle
This is the most important part of the wrap, as it directly determines the level of comfort for your baby. Try and choose a lightweight and breathable fabric, such as cotton or muslin.
The blanket size should be large enough to wrap around your baby securely. A 40x40 inch or larger swaddle should be perfect for most babies. Lay the swaddle out on a safe and flat surface in a diamond shape. Then fold the top corner down about 6 inches to create a straight edge.
2. Positioning The Baby Correctly
Lay the baby on their back on the blanket, with the neck resting above the edge. Keeping the head above the fold, now it's time to wrap the first side of your baby.
Straighten your baby’s left arm. Then take the left side of the blanket and pull it across the body of the baby and tuck it under the right arm and back. Ensure to have a snug fit that is neither too tight nor too loose. Always allow some space for the hips in case the legs want to move.
3. Folding The Bottom
Fold the bottom corner of the swaddle over the baby's feet. If the swaddle is too long, you can always fold it underneath to ensure it doesn't cover the head or the face. It is also important to ensure that the legs are slightly bent and not tightly bound to prevent hip dysplasia.
The next step is to take the right side of the swaddle and pull it across the baby's body, tucking it under the left side of their back. In the end, adjust the swaddle to make sure it is snug and comfortable.
In summary, swaddling can be a comforting experience for both you and your baby. It's important to remember that every baby is different, and swaddling isn't just about wrapping them up, but about providing a smooth transition from the womb to the cradle. With practice, you can master the art of swaddling to create a soothing sleep environment for your baby.
To help you provide your baby with top-notch comfort and safety, we at Laadlee, have curated a selection of finely designed baby swaddles online. Just like our other baby products, these too, are crafted with the utmost care that will keep your little one protected and warm all night long. Join our Laadlee mom community today to be the first to learn about new arrivals, special promotions, and online exclusives.
*Source link - https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/17908730/