Swaddling DOs AND DON’Ts
You undoubtedly encountered the concept of swaddling in prenatal classes as well as in the newborn nursery. Nurses who work with newborns seem to be able to swaddle babies with remarkable speed and precision. If you choose to swaddle your baby, you will learn to do this almost as well as those amazing nurses. Moreover, we now have some fantastic swaddle products that snap, velcro, or zipper, making swaddling your newborn much easier.
Swaddling offers a practical approach to soothing an infant and helping them sleep for longer durations. Swaddling calms the Moro reflex (also called the startle reflex) by securing the baby’s arms down and preventing a startling wake from sleep. Swaddling also “returns” an infant to the secure, familiar feeling of the womb. Even though swaddling appears to be beneficial; it must be done safely.
What are the issues associated with swaddling that make it vital that swaddling be done correctly? Swaddling can increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and hip problems.
Here are some guidelines to ensure that swaddling is done in the safest way possible.
Purchase a product designated for swaddling. Look for something that snaps, zips, or velcros to close. This makes it much easier to swaddle properly and keeps your baby securely in the swaddle. These swaddle products come in various thicknesses, pick one that is appropriate to the ambient temperature that your baby will be sleeping in.
Wrap baby snuggly around the upper body, with arms down at their sides, but leave enough room for your hand to fit through at the chest region. This room allows your baby to take breaths without restriction.
The swaddle should be loose at the hips and legs, with any extra material tied in a loose knot at the bottom. Your baby needs to be able to move and spread their legs easily so their hips can move up and out, allowing their hip joints to continue to develop.
DO NOT place any covers, blankets, or clothing over the swaddle. The baby’s swaddle sack or swaddle blanket should be the top layer. This prevents overheating and any blanket or clothing accidentally getting in contact with their faces.
NEVER place your baby on their tummies in a swaddle. They need to be on their backs when they are in a swaddle. Since their arms are bundled inside the swaddle they would not be able to push themselves up from the mattress and could suffocate.
Avoid Overheating. There is a possibility of overheating your infant when they are snuggly swaddled.
To prevent overheating, dress them in only one outfit under the swaddle. It should be appropriate for the ambient temperature/weather that they will be sleeping in. Feel your child’s chest to see if it feels just right, not too warm and not too cool.
Your baby should not have their head covered as that combined with swaddling will likely overheat them.
Your baby could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, a heat rash, and/or rapid breathing.
Stop Swaddling your baby as soon as they show any signs of trying to roll over. Many babies start working on rolling at around 2 months of age.
