How To Swaddle A Baby – 5 tips?

hands free swaddle

Swaddling is thought to be quite beneficial to the infants out there. However, in case it is not implemented properly it might become harmful in the long run. On most occasions, swaddle is used for babies who are less than one month old. Swaddling might result in constraints on the development and movements of the infant in case he or she is more than one month of age.

quick swaddle

What exactly is swaddling?

Swaddling refers to a technique of making the baby pacified by wrapping them within a blanket to make sure that he is comfortable. It likewise provides him with the required warmth. There are a couple of ways to get the job done. While one procedure is tighter, the other is performed in a loosened manner. In this article, we have mentioned the different ways of how to swaddle a baby.

Why should you swaddle your infant?

  • Swaddling helps to enhance the slumber of the infant by soothing him.
  • Although it might be quite difficult in the initial phases, this procedure will become easy over time and will improve the quality of sleep of the infant.
  • Swaddling helps to improve the baby’s neuromuscular development.
  • It likewise helps to minimize the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome).
  • Swaddling allows the baby to sleep uninterrupted for a considerable period of time.

A lot of parents swaddle their children when are looking to get them acquainted with a crib. Many leading experts state that if you are looking at solutions on how to transition baby to crib, you need to first learn the basics of swaddling. The child might start feeling uneasy when you directly put them into a crib. Swaddling before you place them makes them feel secure and comfortable about the new environment.

When should you swaddle your infant?

This is actually an individual choice of the parents out there. While some of them tend to swaddle their infants whenever they become fussy, the others follow this procedure only at night so that the infant is able to sleep quickly once he is wrapped.

Below, we have mentioned a step-by-step guideline of how to swaddle a newborn baby in the best possible way.

hands free swaddle

How to swaddle your infant

Although it might seem to be somewhat daunting while swaddling your infant, you will not find it difficult to wrap up your newborn.

1. Find a flat and even surface

Spread out the swaddle blanket of your infant in a shape that assembles a diamond. The top corner has to be folded down by approximately 6 inches.

2. Place your infant on the blanket face-up

Make it a point that the head of your infant is placed above the blanket’s folded edge while his body must extend directly down in the direction of the bottom corner.

3. Make the left arm of the infant straight

Following this, wrap the blanket’s left side over the chest and left arm of the baby. The blanket should be tucked below his back and his right arm. At this point, the left arm of the baby is going to be covered although his right arm is going to be completely free.

4. Bring up the bottom

The blanket’s bottom corner has to be folded over the body of your infant and it has to be tucked beneath the initial fold under his chin. Following this, you need to make the right arm of the baby straight and pull the blanket’s right side over the body of your baby and it should be tucked below his left side.

5. Make the blanket secure

Make it a point to twist the blanket’s bottom loosely and it should be tucked underneath your infant.

australian swaddle

Several essential things to bear in mind

Although the swaddle must be snug, it should not be excessively tight. You must be capable of placing a couple of fingers between the blanket and the chest of your infant, and the blanket ought to be loose around his hips such that he is able to move his legs freely.

In case your infant likes to have his arms free, then it will be a sensible idea to leave either one or both of his arms out of the swaddle.

In case your infant is too curvy for you for getting a snug swaddle, it will be a good idea to go for a break and provide your newborn with a couple of minutes for getting his squirmies out prior to trying once again. However, if it appears that your infant is always making an attempt to jiggle out from his swaddle, it might be the fact that he does not like the idea of swaddling at all.

In that case, you should try an alternative swaddle (such as a swaddle wrap featuring zipper or Velcro closures) or you might give up the idea of swaddling your infant altogether.

Is the method of swaddling different in case of preemies? It is a fact that swaddling is quite comfortable for full-term newborn infants as well as premature babies. However, make it a point to bring his hands on his chest rather than straightening them at his sides and this can be more soothing for some premature infants.

It is possible that you will become an expert in swaddling in no time whatsoever. However, you can always consult with the pediatrician of your infant in case you are feeling unsure. He will be the best person to guide you in this matter.

How to swaddle wrap a baby?

It might be the fact that you like to swaddle your infant but do not want to make use of a blanket. In that case, you can go for swaddle wraps featuring zippers or Velcro tabs which are quite safe just like blankets and will provide identical benefits without any need of tucking or folding. The instructions are going to vary depending on the wrap which you are purchasing. However, on most occasions, they’re quite easy to master as compared to blankets.

When should you stop swaddling your infant?

This particular question is a significant concern of all the mothers out there. In fact, swaddling is a procedure which can restrict the movement of the limbs. However, this is important for the development of the baby including his central nervous system. According to some experts, it will be a sensible idea to stop swaddling once your infant seems like he is making an attempt to roll over. Most of the infants tend to do this once they’re approximately 4 months of age.

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