Have you seen swaddled babies? Many people assume that they know how to properly swaddle a baby but end up just swaddling them at face value. In this article, I will discuss how to swaddle a baby properly and why you need to learn it. I will help you determine the ropes to your picture-perfect swaddling and learn how to keep your baby comfortable while you are at it.
How to Properly Swaddle
So, let us get on with the topic at hand, which is how to swaddle a baby properly. All you need is your baby, a blanket, and a flat surface. Also, make sure that your baby is calm, and you know how to deal with it when your baby gets a little anxious.
The Blanket
The blanket that you use when learning how to properly swaddle a baby should be made of light and breathable material, and it should be 100cm by 100cm in measurement.
You can also buy some Swaddlers since they already have Velcro, making it easier for you later.
Lay the blanket out on a flat surface, and make sure to smoothen it out before laying your baby in it.
Left Arm
Fold the top corner of the blanket. This will serve as a guide as to how you will place your baby and then place the baby into the sheet with the baby’s head on the folded part of the blanket.
Place the baby’s left arm straight at the side of their body and hold it in place while pulling the blanket around the baby’s body towards the right side. Tuck the blanket snugly so that the baby’s left arm is in place.
Right Arm
Gently move the right arm, placing it at the side of the baby’s body, trapping the folded blanket into place.
Then fold the right corner of the blanket and tuck it into the left side of the baby. Make sure that you can still put two to three fingers between your baby’s chest and the blanket to make sure that your baby can still breathe and is still comfortable even when they are wrapped.
Swaddling Advantages and Disadvantages
Now that you know how to swaddle a baby properly, I will now discuss the advantages and disadvantages of swaddling a baby.
Advantages
- Swaddling can help prevent disturbance from their startle flex.
- Swaddling allows the baby to sleep more comfortably.
- Swaddling makes it easier for you to carry the baby.
- Swaddling gives your baby the security that they once had in your womb, making them feel held even if they are in the crib.
- Keeps the baby from putting their hands in their mouths.
- It looks cute and photo-ready.
- Swaddling will help keep the baby warm.
Disadvantages
- Swaddling is tricky.
- Swaddling can give off unnecessary warmth for the baby.
- The wrong choice of fabric can cause allergies to the baby.
- Swaddling can cause baby’s difficulty in breathing.
- It can affect the mobility and the development of the baby when done too often.
- It can cause problems on the hips when done too tightly.
Reminders On Swaddling
It is essential to place the baby on his back to put him to sleep to keep him safe and to prevent the possibility of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.
Swaddling is not forever, and you have to stop swaddling the baby as soon as the baby shows some signs of wanting to roll over. Some babies start rolling over by two months of age.
And you also need to take caution and take the risks of swaddling very seriously, giving more attention to the small details when you are swaddling your baby. You also need to be very meticulous about how your baby reacts when wrapped.
Another thing, you need to make sure that you keep the hips area loose to make sure that swaddling does not cause any damage to the mobility of the child. Get more tips on swaddles.
Conclusion
Swaddling your baby is cute, secure, and very fulfilling for most of us moms because it gives us peace of mind that the baby is comfortably sleeping and won’t be disturbed by anything, even their sudden reflexes.
In this article, I discussed how to properly swaddle a baby, and also other tips about swaddling that you need to know about. Also, I discussed the advantages and the disadvantages of swaddling to know how to handle it and how to do it properly.