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Swaddling a Baby: Everything You Need To Know

by ANB Baby 23 Sep 2021

 Swaddling a Baby: Everything You Need To Know

Swaddling is a technique that has existed for thousands of years, and it involves wrapping newborns up in a soft blanket to keep their swinging limbs at bay and help the baby feel calmer by helping them sleep. For first-time Swaddlers, it might seem like the technique is an art form, but we are here to simplify the process by discussing the benefits and techniques for effective swaddling to ensure your baby feels comfortable and secure as they did in the womb.

The Importance of Swaddling

While swaddling is an ancient concept, the technique is beneficial for taking care of newborns during their transition from the womb to the world. Here are a few reasons why we actively support swaddling for babies:

  • It helps calm babies and allows them to sleep peacefully without being disturbed in the comfort of a snuggly blanket.
  • It can prevent startle reflex, which involves babies exhibiting unprovoked arm or leg movements that disturb their sleep pattern and cause them to wake up. Swaddling the baby in a blanket restricts arm and leg movements which can trigger the reflex.
  • It can help babies adjust to their surroundings by using the swaddle to replicate the feeling of a womb without being too restrictive.
  • It can help babies retain their body heat by limiting their surface area, which is essential as babies can't adjust to temperature changes and can lose heat nearly four times as fast as a human.
  • It prevents excessive flailing of the limbs, which can cause injuries such as scratches with their nails.

Types of Swaddling Techniques

There are different blankets available for swaddling that come in various materials, such as the Stokke Cotton Blanket and the Stokke Merino Wool Blanket. Parents can also opt for something with a little more structure, such as the Ergobaby's On The Move Sleep Bag, which is closed from three sides but comes with adjustable foot holes for greater mobility. Once the blanket is sorted, there are a number of techniques that can be used to wrap a baby, including:

The Classic Swaddle

  • Lay the blanket out in a diamond shape and fold down the top corner
  • Grab the blanket around the baby, tucking the arm in
  • Hold the bottom up and tuck under the baby's shoulder
  • Wrap the other side around the baby and tuck

The Knotted Swaddle

  • Wrap the blanket around the baby by tucking the arm in
  • Repeat on the other side
  • Gather the ends and tie it in a knot
Newborn - Swaddling a Baby: Everything You Need To Know

The Extra Cozy Swaddle

  • Place the baby in the center of the prepared blanket
  • Fold the top down around the baby's head
  • Wrap the blanket around the baby, tucking the arm in
  • Or the bottom up and tuck underneath the previous fold
  • Wrap the other side around the baby and tuck
Person - Swaddling a Baby: Everything You Need To Know

The Burrito Swaddle

  • Lay the blanket in a diamond shape and fold down the top corner
  • Place the baby on the blanket and wrap one side of the blanket over the baby's arm and tuck it into the armpit of the other
  • Wrap the other side around the baby and tuck

The Family Swaddle

  • Lay the blanket out in a square
  • Wrap the top corner around the baby, tucking the arm in
  • Repeat on the other side
  • Spread the bottom out in the triangle
  • Bring the bottom up and tuck the sides underneath

The No Arms Swaddle

  • Lay the blanket out in a square and hold down the top edge
  • Lay the baby closer to one side of the blanket to wrap the top corners over the baby's arm
  • Wrap the blanket around the baby, tucking the arm in
  • Repeat on the other side
  • Gather the ends and tie in a knot
Person - Swaddling a Baby: Everything You Need To Know

 

If you’re looking for cute and uniquely designed baby swaddle wraps and blankets, we have a wide range available, in different colors, sizes and patterns.


Shop Baby Swaddle

 

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