When the nurse brought my little girl to me she was all wrapped up in a pink sheet looking so calm. As a first-time mom, my head was swimming with questions about the baby. I wanted to check if she had 10 fingers and 10 toes intact so I gently opened up the sheet to assure myself that everything was ok. Oh my! Wrong thing to do. The wail she let out shocked me out of my wits. The nurse found it all quite amusing when she saw my expression. All I had read about swaddling came rushing back to me.
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The baby is warm, snug and safe when she is inside your womb. Once out in the world, everything is different. So if you can create a similar secure and warm environment for her to sleep in, it will help her adjust and gets used to the world she has been born into. So on went the sheet immediately.
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Find out all about swaddling and how it can help make your newborn feel, secure, calm and comfortable. Read on.
What Is Swaddling?
When a sheet is wrapped snuggly around your baby’s body, it can resemble the mother’s womb and help soothe your newborn baby.
This ancient art of cocooning the baby in the swaddle sheet makes her feel secure and warm.
Swaddled or wrapped babies generally settle quicker and sleep for longer at each sleep. Both new moms and babies need time to adjust to the new life so any extra sleep is good, right?
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Why Should You Swaddle Your Baby?
For starters, wrapping them like little burritos gives them a feeling of security. They don't startle as easily at the slightest sound. This is extremely important for their sleep and your sanity. Also, it's a good way to stop them from hitting themselves with their tiny little hands or scratching themselves with their nails. It's amazing how fast their nails grow even after you clip them every few days! !
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Learn How To Swaddle
All hospitals teach you how to swaddle your baby before you leave. However, in case you aren't sure if you're doing it right, here is a step by step swaddle guide.
- Lay the sheet out on a flat surface in the shape of a diamond.
- Fold down the top corner of the sheet a little.
- Lay your baby face up on the sheet with her neck resting against the fold so that her head is overlapping the top edge you turned down.
- Wrap the left corner of the sheet over her body and tuck it beneath her.
- Bring the bottom corner over her feet, and then wrap the right corner around her, leaving only her head and neck exposed.
Recommended Fabric For Swaddling
The best swaddling blankets are made of cotton or bamboo. Both are natural breathable materials which are safe for your little bundle of joy.
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Is It Safe To Swaddle?
There are some factors you should be aware of while swaddling your little one. If the material you are using is too thick or the temperature in the room too hot, your baby could overheat. So be careful and keep a check on their body temperature. Using muslin material or a cotton sheet rather than a blanket is better when swaddling your baby.
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You also need to make sure that you haven't swaddled her in too tight. This could cut off your baby’s circulation. Newborn babies have been known to have developed problems with their ball and socket hip joint if swaddled for too long. Restricted movement over an extended period of time can do that.
What's A Good Time To Wean Them Off?
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Normally babies are swaddled for about 12 weeks. It's been noticed that once they are about three months old, most babies don't like being bound up. When they are left free they suddenly discover that they have arms and legs and are completely fascinated with them. They can spend hours just playing with their little fingers and sucking on them. This self-exploration is extremely important for the babies – they are finally adjusting to the outside world. Look for your baby’s cues for when it’s time to stop too. If your baby begins to kick off his swaddling day after day, it may be a sign she no longer appreciates being bundled so snugly!
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Weaned Your Baby Of The Swaddle Sheets? Don't Put Them Away Just Yet
We found ways for you to use the swaddle sheets once you're baby is done being wrapped up.
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Things To Remember
- Don't swaddle too tightly. It could affect his mobility and development at a later time. They should have enough room to wiggle a little.
- Make sure that the fold of the sheet does not cover his/her face.
- Some babies prefer to have their arms free, so swaddle them and instead of tucking the sheet over his shoulder, tuck it under the armpits.
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Mansi Zaveri
KSP Team
