a lot of parents wonder how they are going to ever master the art of swaddling, or if it is even beneficial. Well, when it comes to actually wrapping the baby that is wiggly, all I can say is practice, practice, training, because as a pediatric and nursery nurse I still have trouble some times. As for when it is worth learning, absolutely! There are incredibly benefits that are many swaddling, and that is just what i've the pleasure of talking to you about today.
swaddle blanket
I want to begin off by saying you don't want to wrap the baby too tight because this can restrict the baby’s ability to breath. You want your baby to be wrapped snug enough to feel secure, but not too tight that she can’t move at all. Also, maybe not all babies like to be swaddled or may like different variations on swaddling, you are going to need to find out just what works for you and your baby. For example, my daughter loved being wrapped up, as long as her hands were free, so I would swaddle her from her armpits down. Experiment and watch your baby’s reactions.
The Benefits of Swaddling
Babies sleep longer: Babies are used to being snug inside the womb. When they're born, they are no longer confined, but its strange for them to possess therefore much movement. Also, newborns make lot of jerky motions as they are developing muscle control. These movements can wake the baby. Swaddling provides the snugness and heat of the womb, while decreasing the severity of those jerky motions.
Reduces the danger of SIDS: Swaddling a baby helps keep her on her back because she cannot move as much, which is the safest place for her to sleep.
Less crying: this is certainly back to those jerky movements. When a newborn makes those movements that are jerky can startle her, and over time this may cause over stimulation. If an infant is over stimulated she's going to cry in an attempt to block out the stimuli. Being swaddled decreases those movements that are jerky.
Fewer scratches: Babies finger nails are sharp and grow fast. When swaddled, baby’s arms are kept away from their faces. That is, unless your baby is similar to mine, and desires her hands out!
Regulates body temperature: Swaddling helps babies maintain human body heat. Babies have a harder time body temperature that is regulating. It is NOT recommended that you use a loose blanket in the crib, but swaddling keeps the blanket away from baby’s face while maintaining her sufficiently warm. You should be sure to decide on a breathable cloth, like LillianAndrew 100% muslin cotton blankets, which will help to keep baby from overheating. Never use a blanket that is heavy swaddling.
Can help with breastfeeding: It is recommended that you use skintoskin contact into the very first several days to help with milk letdown and lactation. Swaddling can help though if you might be observing that your baby’s hands are getting in the method. You can wrap her up and down keep her hands.
When to stop swaddling
Solutions when swaddling should no longer be done. Swaddling is useful for the very first 2 months of a baby’s life, after that swaddling can hinder your baby’s movements. You must also stop swaddling once your baby can roll over as having a baby swaddled while on her belly can cause suffocation. When I mentioned at the beginning, if your child does not like swaddling, you can alter or eliminate swaddling altogether.
How to swaddle your child
In the hospital your child is handed to you in an ideal buddle that is little wrapped up and cozy. Then you go home and ... you just cannot figure it out! There are lot of factors at play. To begin with, most of the blankets you have are many likely too small to properly swaddle your infant. Second, many blankets that are receiving not square, they are cut lopsided, making more blanket on one part than the other (at least mine were anyway). You want to find a blanket like the one here at LillianAndrew that is a nice size.
Lay the blanket on a surface that is flat the shape of a diamond. Fold down 34 ins of the top edge of the blanket (the top corner of the diamond).
Place your baby on the blanked so the tops of her shoulders are just during the fold you just made.
Tuck your baby’s right arm into the flap that ended up being made when you folded down the top advantage, now take the right corner and fold across baby, tucking it underneath the opposite part of her back.
Bring the corner that is bottom of blanket up and tuck into the blanket near the chest.
Now, tuck the arm that is left the flap made from folding the top corner down, just as
you did with the arm that is right pull that corner across her body and tuck it in
behind her back.
You can always hit up Lillian Andrew's YouTube channel for a video on what to do it.
Do’s and Don’ts of swaddling
Do always lay your baby on her back when swaddled.
Do always utilize a material that is breathable swaddling.
Do stop baby that is swaddling she is 2 months old if she enables you to.
Do NOT wrap your baby too tight.
Do NOT wrap the blanket over baby’s nose or mouth. Do NOT swaddle once your baby can roll over.
Do NOT utilize a heavy blanket for swaddling.
Do NOT swaddle your infant if a fever is had by her or is sick.