Swaddling Baby; A way to give your baby a cuddle like feel!

Swaddling babies is one of the most obsolete practice that is still valuable. No matter if you are a mother from 80’s or one from the 20^th century, you would always find swaddling as one of the most reliable things for a baby who is less than a month old. Also, it is one of the traditional practices that has been confirmed helpful by modern researches too.

Swaddling is an art of wrapping your baby in a cuddle some way to make her feel womb-like presence around her initially for a month. This is done through a diamond shaped blanket or warm, soft and easy to handle cloth. Also, your troublesome, hyperactive or fussy newborns are easy to handle once swaddled.

Mothers bearing their first child are provided with some pro tips at hospitals. These tips may also include a little training session on swaddling. However, If you know how to swaddle your baby in a perfect way than Congratulation! You can easily handle the new born tantrums.

WHY SWADDLE YOUR BABY?

You may wonder, why there is a need to wrap a baby tightly in a blanket. Well! Here are a few reasons that would explain that why wrapping your baby is important in that cozy cradle like wrap that gives the feeling of being caressed.

1. WARMTH: 
   Your baby is just too young to adjust herself with the changing atmosphere. The temperature inside your womb was perfect for you baby and adjusted accordingly. But as soon as your baby is out, she may need to wait before she can get her thermostat ready to adjust with her surroundings. Therefore, during this time swaddling a baby keeps them warm and cozy enough.
2. SAFETY:
   Swaddling your baby in a blanket or cloth keeps her safe from her own reflexes. Also, it provides a warm cradle like feel and least are the chances that your baby may feel scared or alone.
3. CALM & COMPOSED:

            Swaddling helps in keeping your baby in control. Therefore, if your baby is hyperactive and                never stays calm and composed, swaddling may help a lot. Your baby would be bound to stay              in place. This feeling of being under control or in a strong grip may make them fall asleep                    easily. Try it and see it yourself.

HOW TO SWADDLE YOUR BABY?

 Swaddling a baby is a good option to keep your baby “handy”. Here are some pro tips to nail this one for your baby. Follow the steps below to reach the final stage of a “swaddled baby”.

YOU NEED:

All you may need is a swaddling blanket or cloth. It is a diamond shaped piece of cloth that probably has some buttons too. While the get one from the market would have buttons to make wrapping easier for you. However, don’t worry if you don’t have one. Just make it at home.

 STEPS:

1. Place the diamond shaped blanket on a straight surface. Better to place it on your bed or a shelf.
2. Fold the top corner of the diamond shaped blanket inward towards yourself. Now the blanket attains the shape of a triangle with a straight top and a pointed bottom.
3. Place your baby on the top of this blanket in a way that the head of your baby rises above the straight line while her legs are towards the pointed bottom.
4. Fold the right corner from top in a way that the arm of your baby towards your right is out of the fold where as the baby’s arm towards your left comes inside the wrap. Wrap the cloth underneath your baby’s body.
5. Now pick the cloth from bottom and fold it over the right shoulder while tucking in the baby’s arm towards your right side.
6. Wrap the leftover cloth around your baby.
7. Here comes your swaddled baby!

THINGS TO TAKE CARE OF WHILE SWADDLING A BABY:

Swaddling a baby may seem as simple as 1 2 3 steps shown above. However, in reality it is a tricky job to do. Also, you may feel as if there is no rocket science behind it, while there are certain things that you really need to take care of.

1. DO NOT WRAP TOO TIGHTLY:

    Make sure you don’t wrap the cloth too tightly around your baby. As it can put pressure  

    on her weak bones or even muscles. Your baby is fragile therefore handle her with care. 

    However, even a mild pressure can be really dangerous.

2.             2.    KEEP THE HIP AREA LOOSE:

              While you wrap your baby, make sure that you keep the blanket/cloth loose from the hip area. 

               As a tight cover around hips may lead to hips dysplasia (abnormal development of hip joint).

3.      AVOID OVERHEATING:

               Make sure you don’t overheat you baby by using a warm blanket. This may lead to suffocation.           Also, suffocation may lead the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome.

4. POSTURE:
   You specifically need to care about your baby’s posture while she sleeps. Make sure you don’t make her lye on her stomach. A swaddled baby should always be laid on her back.
   
   
5. WHEN TO STOP?
   Swaddling is good but only as long as your baby is a month old.  However, swaddling may be a hindrance in their growth if carried for longer durations.