Benefits of Swaddling a Baby
You’ve now got your buddle of joy in your arms, Congratulations! While it is a couple of years ago, I still so fondly remember the first time when my twin baby grandsons were born, they came back from the hospital nursery all wrapped in two neat tiny packages, with only their fuzzy little head out. They were looking cute and sleeping so peacefully. It was because nurses know how to swaddle newborns - one of the secrets to a happy, calm baby. And that is swaddling a baby.
Having mastered the magic of how to swaddle a baby, my daughter got a very valuable thing in return - a little extra time for her sleep, which I felt she lacked so much. That little time is such a treasure. Newborn Swaddling not only provides us with the much-needed sleeping time, there are various other benefits for our babies too.
So, in the ensuing paragraphs I will try and provide answers on how you can master newborn swaddling. Also, some tips on swaddling and safety precautions too. So, let’s check out…
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Benefits Of Swaddling a Newborn:
It is important to note what are the benefits of swaddling a baby. Swaddling newborns is a traditional old practice of carefully wrapping them in soft breathable blankets or similar cloths.
Seven benefits of swaddling a baby:
- Movement of the baby’s limbs is restricted to prevent any mishap.
- It provides newly minted moms with some treasured sleep.
- It serves the all-important purpose of helping our baby to stay calm and sleep more soundly.
- It recreates the environment of our womb helping our baby to feel safe and secure as they adjust to life outside.
- It prevents them from flailing their arms and legs, which in many cases can trigger a startle reflex and which may potentially wake them up.
- It also helps our baby to stay cozy and warm until their internal thermostat kicks into action.
- Swaddling newborns even prevents overheating since body heat can escape through the open muslin cloth weave, while still keeping them snug and warm.
Learning how to swaddle a baby can be the most beneficial practice.
Choosing The Right Swaddle Blankets For Your Baby is Important, they are ideal when they are in a premium muslin cloth that is super soft for your baby. The open weave makes it lightweight and intensifies breathability reducing the risk of overheating. While choosing the right swaddle blankets for your baby, make sure to choose designs with cheerful and comforting colours & quality muslin, which gets softer with every wash. A newborn swaddle is an ideal and useful gift for every parent - also the perfect baby shower gift for any new mom.
Swaddles are multi-purposely useful. You can use it as a Swaddle Blanket, Receiving Blanket, Nursing or Stroller Cover, Car Seat Cover, Bath Towel, Burp Cloth, Sun Shade, Picnic Or Tummy Time Blanket, Changing Blankets, Cleaning Blankets, etc. As such choosing the right swaddle blankets for your baby is important.
How To Swaddle A Baby:
Swaddling is not rocket science, however, it is essential to understand how to swaddle newborn baby. You need to keep in mind a few things; baby's comfort, baby's willingness to be swaddled, and the material and thickness of the blanket, all while considering the ambient temperature. There are different ways to swaddle, however, I'd like to share my most favourite swaddling technique.
Step 1: Take a large muslin swaddle of approx. 110*110 cm size and place it on a flat surface. Fold one corner downwards about a hand's length.
Step 2: Place the little one on top of the muslin with the top of the fold just above their neckline. Put her left arm down by her side and take the left side of the blanket across her body and tuck underneath.
Step 3: Repeat the same procedure on the right-hand side of your baby.
Step 4: Lastly, fold the bottom of the muslin upwards and either tuck in the top or tuck each side underneath the baby.
Swaddle blankets/cloths are essential, but what is equally important is the proper way of using them. Learning the tricks to swaddle a baby could take two to three attempts. You have to make sure your baby is comfortable throughout the swaddling process.
By following these steps, you not only ensure proper swaddling a newborn, but also understand why is it important to swaddle newborns for their comfort, safety, and well-being.
