How To Swaddle A Newborn
Swaddling refers to an infant soothing technique, using soft blankets or cloths to gently but securely wrap a baby from lower neck to toe, binding the limbs close to the body. This results in a baby who feels warm, safe, and securely held - even if it’s not in the arms of a caregiver.
According to Wikipedia, “The earliest depictions of swaddled babies are votive offerings and grave goods from Crete and Cyprus, 4000 to 4500 years old.” And, as professional newborn photographers and their parent clients can attest, in addition to remaining a highly successful soothing tool in the early infant months, swaddling babies makes for some priceless portraits.
Learn The Art Of Baby Swaddling
That said, swaddling is a practice, and it can take some time to ensure you’re swaddling at just the right degree of snugness - too tight, and your baby will be miserable; swaddling too loose can result in a blanket tangle, equally as miserable for that precious newborn bundle.
If you’re unsure what swaddling is, peek at my Newborn Photo Gallery, where you’ll see plenty of peacefully snoozing, swaddled babies.
Steps To Swaddle A Baby In Snooze-Friendly Comfort
Here are some steps to swaddle a baby in a way that keeps them safe and comfortable and may also help you get a little more sleep - or rest - in those first couple of months.
Take a birthing class
I encourage all of my maternity clients to enroll in a local birthing class or to attend one offered by their hospital or birthing center. These classes provide invaluable information to soon-to-be mothers and their labor/delivery partners. And, towards the end of the course, you’ll also get to practice some essential newborn parenting skills - like diaper changing and swaddling.
These instructors typically have a doll, which is much easier, quieter, and more still than a bonafide newborn. However, it is a great place to learn the swaddling basics, and that practice will make it that much easier for you to adjust as needed when your baby is born.
Ask your nurse, midwife, or doula to help you
When the baby is born, you’ll be surrounded by experts who can teach you how to swaddle your newborn in “real-time.” This might be your labor/delivery nurse team, a midwife, or your doula. They’ll teach you how to swaddle the baby and then make sure you’re comfortable doing it on your own.
Be aware of the pros and cons
First, it’s important to remember that babies are humans, and each one is unique. Not all babies like to be swaddled. You’ll only know whether you have a swaddle-happy baby after they’re properly swaddled.
Some babies don’t like swaddling as much as others, especially those that gain faster motor coordination. So, don’t assume your baby will love it. That said, most parents recommend trying a few different types of swaddling swatches - and swaddling at different times of day- to see if that has something to do with their discomfort. If your baby isn’t a fan, try a sleepsack instead.
That brings me to the topic of the pros and cons of swaddling. Yes, it’s happened for thousands of years, but medical professionals go back and forth about whether they recommend it.
Pros of swaddling:
Comfort.
Warmth.
Confinement (to prevent babies from the free-falling sensation of flailing limbs, also known as the Moro Reflex).
Some people swear their babies slept much better when swaddled.
Soothes crying babies (especially if you can’t hold them or wear them at that moment).
Cons of swaddling:
It can be too hot for the baby (lighter, 100% cotton, swaddle-specific fabrics are best).
Some studies show that swaddled babies have higher rates of SIDS (but this is typically the case when parents swaddle after the first two months).
It can be too immobilizing when done too tightly.
Hip dysplasia (again, this was correlated with swaddling too tightly and only identified in a very small percentage of babies.
Like anything, swaddling requires attention to safety first practices, trial and error, and knowing when it’s no longer needed (most experts agree that babies shouldn’t be swaddled after they are two months or so, or at the first sign they may be trying to turn over on their own).
Things to know about swaddling
Here are some of the most important swaddling safety tips:
Swaddling should never be used after a baby is starting to turn on their own to prevent them from rolling over onto their tummies and being unable to breathe. For this reason, most people agree that swaddling should phase out after two months (many babies start to attempt rolling over during their third month).
Minimize swaddling time to naps and sleep so babies have plenty of skin-to-skin time when feeding or being held. When they’re awake, the ability to move their arms and legs is essential for building muscle tone, coordination, and motor control.
Do not place another fabric (like a blanket) over a swaddled baby; choose a swaddle-safe, breathable fabric suited to the temperature.
Never allow swaddling material to come up past the neck to prevent smothering.
Make sure your swaddle is secure. If the material comes easily undone, it’s not wrapped correctly, posing a risk to the baby.
Swaddles are slightly snugger around the arms, preventing flailing, but looser from the hips down. Your baby should be able to move their feet or make a “frog-leg position” if needed, so use that as your guide.
Step-By-Step Secrets To Swaddling Guide
There’s no need to reinvent the wheel. Here are simple swaddling instructions from the experts at whattoexpect.com, along with their infographic:
Step 1: Prep the swaddle.
Spread your baby’s swaddle blanket out on a flat surface (like the middle of your bed) in the shape of a diamond, with one corner pointing up. Fold the top corner down about 6 inches.
Step 2: Place your baby face-up on the blanket.
Your little one's head should be above the folded edge of the blanket, and her body should extend straight down toward the bottom corner.
Step 3: Gently straighten your baby’s left arm so that it's dangling down.
Then take the left side of the blanket and wrap it over her left arm and chest. Tuck the blanket underneath her right arm and her back. At this stage, your baby’s left arm should be covered, and her right arm should be free.
Step 4: Bring the bottom of the swaddle up.
Bring the bottom corner of the blanket up over your baby’s body and tuck it under the first fold, below her chin. Gently straighten your baby’s right arm down like you did with the left. Be careful to wrap your baby snugly - but not too tightly.
Step 5: Finish wrapping baby.
Pull the right side of the blanket over your baby’s body and tuck it snugly under her left side. Twist the remaining piece of blanket at the bottom and tuck it under your baby. Again, make sure the swaddle isn’t too loose or too tight.
Let Lemonshoots Create Priceless Images Of Your Swaddled Bundle
Would you like to capture the sweet and fleeting swaddling days via priceless, gallery-worthy images? Schedule a session with Lemonshoots. We can make that happen for you with classic, timeless artistic portraits you’ll cherish long after your baby no longer fits in your arms.