How to Swaddle a Newborn for Peaceful Sleep?

Welcoming a newborn into your life is a precious feeling for every parent. The comfort of your little human becomes a priority, and you start looking for ways to ensure their happiness. While there are various methods to comfort your baby, swaddling is one of the most popular ones. It relaxes their body and gives them a sense of safety. 

This blog will explore the benefits of swaddling your newborn baby, easy steps to make a swaddle, and common mistakes to avoid. We will answer all your questions, like how long it takes to swaddle a baby per day, when to stop swaddling an infant, and the dos and don'ts of swaddling. Are you excited to know more about swaddling? Keep reading!

What is Swaddling?

Swaddling is an age-old practice of comforting a newborn by simulating a womb-like warmth in the outer world. You wrap the little one in a soft, lightweight, breathable blanket that makes them feel safe and relaxed. However, you must avoid covering their neck and face to protect them from suffocation. 

Experts suggest parents swaddle their babies from birth until they can roll over, ideally between 4-6 months. The primary purpose of swaddling babies is to calm their restlessness and put them in a peaceful slumber. 

But this is not it. Swaddling has many more benefits for your little ones. The list below will teach you about them. 

Benefits of Swaddling a Newborn

Swaddling has scientifically proven benefits for newborn babies as it gives them the feel and safety of the womb. Your baby stays in your womb for nine months. As expected, they get accustomed to the snug positioning in the womb and find it hard to adjust to the outer world where they can move freely. This is when swaddling can benefit them in the following ways:

1. Soothing and Calming

As mentioned above, swaddling recreates or mimics the snug and secure feeling of the womb. This helps the newborn baby to feel safe and comfortable and eases their transition into their new environment. By bringing comfort, swaddling helps reduce thier anxiety and restlessness, saving you from their crying fits, sleep loss, and mood swings. 

2. Improved Sleep Patterns

Babies sleep better in swaddle wraps because swaddling creates a comfortable sleeping space where newborns feel comfortable and safe. It soothes your baby’s uneasiness, allowing them to enjoy a long, peaceful slumber.

Besides swaddling, various factors can improve or disrupt your newborn’s sleep. Now, you know that newborns are light sleepers, meaning they can easily get awakened by noise, discomfort, or even mosquito bites. So, create a comfortable sleeping space for your little one free from such unfavorable conditions.

You can use infant-friendly mosquito repellent like Bugs Away mosquito repellent fabric spray to improve the quality of your baby’s sleep. It is 100% herbal and can be used for kids above 6 months of age.

3. Reduced Startle Reflex

Newborns have a natural startle reflex, also known as the Moro reflex. The startle reflex can cause them to wake up suddenly. Swaddling keeps their arms close to their body, reducing the likelihood of these sudden movements and helping them stay asleep. It also prevents the risk of face scratching.

Easy Steps To Swaddle A Newborn 

If you are a new parent, follow these simple steps to swaddle your newborn to bed perfectly. Here is a detailed guide on how to swaddle a baby step by step:

1. Spread the cloth on a flat surface like a rhombus or diamond.
2. Fold down the top corner of the swaddle cloth and create a straight edge on the top.
3. Lay your newborn on its back with its neck resting along the folded straight edge. Their head should be above the fold.
4. Slightly bend your baby's right arm alongside their body, and wrap the corner of the cloth over their arm.
5. Similarly, secure the left arm alongside the body and wrap it too.
6. Now, fold the bottom corner of the blanket over your baby's legs, tucking it into the top of the swaddle. 
7. Your infant's legs should be able to move freely.
8. Check the swaddle wrap by putting two fingers between the baby's chest and the swaddle. You should be able to fit at least 2 fingers; if not, then the swaddle is too tight.

Also Read - Effective ways to sleep train a baby without a cradle or other motion

Common Mistakes to Avoid During Newborn Swaddle 

Too Loose or Too Tight: Wrapping the swaddle too tightly can restrict the baby’s breathing and hinder proper hip development. If it is too loose, the baby can snuggle and suffocate himself in the swaddle wrap. Ensure that the swaddle has the scope to insert 2 fingers between the chest and the cloth.

Overheating: Swaddling can provide warmth to the baby. But, using a thick or heavy blanket for swaddling can result in overheating. This situation can be life-threatening, as overheating increases the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). 

To avoid these situations, use a breathable swaddle cloth and ensure comfortable room temperature (20-22 degrees).

Kid’s Positioning: While using a swaddle, ensure your baby’s hands are comfortably tucked along the sides. The swaddle should allow for leg movement, too.

Swaddling All Day: Swaddle only when your child goes to sleep. Babies need time to move freely to develop their motor skills during their awake periods. Swaddling all day can hinder their limb development.

When to Stop Swaddling an Infant?

Once a baby starts showing signs of rolling over, it's time to stop swaddling. This is because if your baby rolls onto its stomach while being in a swaddle, he is at a higher risk of suffocation. So, when your baby gets 4-6 months old, you should avoid wrapping them in a swaddle cloth. 

Conclusion

Little ones need extra care and pampering from their parents during the first few months of birth. Swaddling is an excellent way to care for and soothe these precious beings. It gives them the comfort of the womb, easing their anxiety of transitioning into the outer world. Perfect for soothing your cranky newborn. 

Besides swaddling, you must emphasize your newborn’s holistic care. For this, you can trust BabyOrgano, one of the finest Ayurvedic baby product brands that offers a wide range of Ayurvedic childcare products. Check out our wide range of baby products, including a Hing roll-on to relieve gas, Sitopaladi churna for cough, herbal toothpaste, and a complete skincare combo for infants. Our products are beneficial for children of all ages.

FAQs on Swaddling a newborn

1. Should I swaddle my newborn at night?

You should swaddle your newborn baby at night or whenever they are sleeping. Apart from that, you should let your child move freely.

2. How long to swaddle a baby per day?

Only swaddle your baby when they are going to sleep. The rest of the time, let them move freely, as it helps develop their limbs.

3. Can swaddling cause hip dysplasia?

If your swaddle is too tight, restricting the natural movement of the child’s hip, it can cause hip dysplasia. To avoid it, ensure that you can insert 2 fingers into the swaddle wrap.

4. How tight should the swaddle be?

The swaddle should be wrapped in a way that allows you to insert 2 fingers between the chest and the cloth.