The Benefits of Swaddling
By Elizabeth Pantley, author of Gentle Baby Care and The No-Cry Sleep Solution
"The practice of baby-swaddling dates back centuries and is still common in manycultures. Swaddling involves wrapping a baby securely from shoulders to feet with asmall blanket.
The benefits of swaddling:
"The practice of baby-swaddling dates back centuries and is still common in manycultures. Swaddling involves wrapping a baby securely from shoulders to feet with asmall blanket.
The benefits of swaddling:
- Swaddling can be a great way to soothe and calm a fussy baby. It is thought thatbeing tightly enwrapped gives a feeling of security, similar to being in the womb.
- The newborn cannot regulate his temperature as well as an adult, so swaddlingkeeps his body warm, (Just make sure that he doesn’t become overheated.)
- Swaddling often helps a young baby sleep longer because it prevents the suddenmovements that can cause her to wake up.
- Swaddling can help a baby focus on breastfeeding, helping to keep his arms andlegs out of the way.
- Swaddling prevents a newborn baby, who can’t quite control his movements yet,from scratching himself with his nails.
- A swaddled baby is easy to carry and hold ¾ an adorable, compact little package.
Swaddling options
Some babies need to adjust to swaddling if it’s new to them, so give your baby a fewopportunities to get comfortable with it before you abandon the idea. If your baby doesn’tseem to like swaddling, or is beginning to outgrow it, try leaving one or both of his armsfree and just swaddle the rest of his body. In any case, the blanket should fit snugly, butnot tightly; that could impede circulation or cause discomfort.
The age for swaddling
Swaddling usually works well for babies from newborn to about three or four months ofage. However, babies who are used to swaddling may enjoy it for even a little longer."
This article is an excerpt from Gentle Baby Care by Elizabeth Pantley. (McGraw-Hill,2003)
