Why Swaddle your Baby
Swaddling can be an great way to help calm your baby and promote sleep when done correctly.
Swaddling a baby is when you wrap it snuggly in a blanket. When your newborn baby is swaddled it makes them feel like they're still in the womb which is very soothing for them
Reasons why you should swaddle your baby
SIDs - When you swaddle your baby they lie on their back and can't flip over. The safest position for your baby to sleep in to reduce the chances of SIDs is on their back. They also aren't able to cover their faces by accident with a blanket.
Sleep - swaddling helps your baby to sleep better. Babies tend to startle themselves with their startle reflex which wakes them up. When they're swaddled this is hugely eliminated.
Crying - Swaddling your baby can reduce their crying up to 28% because it's so soothing for them.
How to Swaddle your baby
Spread a blanket out flat, with one corner folded down. A receiving blanket is perfect.
Lay your baby face-up on the blanket, with their head above the folded corner.
Straighten your babies left arm, and wrap the left corner of the blanket over her body and tuck it between her right arm and the right side of her body.
Tuck the right arm down, and fold the right corner of the blanket over her body and under her left side.
Fold or twist the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under one side of the baby.
Make sure her hips can move and that the blanket is not too tight
Tips to safely swaddle your baby
A baby that likes to be swaddled tends to sleep longer, and struggles to wake up. I know that sounds GREAT but you must wake them up. Some studies have shown that decreased arousal can be a problem and may be one of the main reasons that babies die of SIDS
Don't pull the blanket tight around your babies hips. Studies have found that straightening and tightly wrapping a baby’s legs can lead to hip dislocation or hip dysplasia.
Make sure you are able to get al least two to three fingers between the babies chest and swaddle so it's not too tight..
