How to swaddle a baby

Throughout pregnancy, the baby is in the uterus, as if in a cocoon. After birth, he is surrounded by a completely different world, where there is no longer that warmth and security. Swaddling helps the baby gradually adapt to the outside world.

How to swaddle a baby correctly

Until recently, swaddling a baby was considered mandatory. But today many young parents consider this moment unnecessary. There is an opinion that baby It’s hard to breathe while in diapers. Many more parents think that forced straightening of the legs later leads to developmental problems.

But still, swaddling a baby has a number of undeniable advantages:

• Since swaddling to some extent reminds the baby of being in the womb, he behaves calmer.
• A warm diaper helps the newborn baby's imperfect thermoregulation.
• A swaddled baby is tighter sleeping.
• Swaddling is also economical.

The correct swaddling technique worries a young mother even during pregnancy. Usually this simple technique is taught at special courses for expectant parents, or a doctor or nurse takes over this function right in the maternity hospital. But it’s best to prepare in advance and perfect all the movements. After all, after birth baby,  learning will be more difficult.

To swaddle your baby, you will need 5 pieces each of thin cotton diapers and warm flannel ones. You will also need a couple of Velcro diapers and disposable diapers.

There are several ways to swaddle a baby:

• When swaddling a limb tightly baby stretched out and wrapped tightly in a diaper. This method is considered outdated and is now not recommended even by doctors.
• Loose swaddling allows the baby the opportunity to move his arms and legs. For older children, you can leave the arms free.
• In case of abnormal development of the hip joints in infants, wide swaddling is used. In this case, a cloth folded several times is placed between the baby’s legs so that they remain in an open position.

Let's look at how to swaddle your baby using free swaddling. To do this, spread a clean diaper on a changing table or any other flat surface. Now place the baby on the fabric so that the edge of the fabric is under his neck. If you plan to leave the arms free, then place the edge of the diaper at armpit level.

Now take the baby's right hand and press it to the baby's chest. Upper corner of the diaper which is located  with rights, swipe to the left diagonally and place it under the child’s back in the pelvic area. Now do the same on the left side.

Now let's work on the lower ends of the diaper. Straighten them and roll the fabric up so that the edge of the diaper is at the level of the baby's chest or tummy. Wrap the ends of the diaper around the baby and tuck it under the cut, first on one side and then on the other.

Until what age should a baby be swaddled?

The question of the duration of swaddling should be decided depending on the development of the child and his state of health. With normal development, from the age of three months the baby begins to roll over onto its side, and then onto its tummy. From now on, diapers that restrict freedom of movement will interfere with him.

You can limit yourself to swaddling your baby only at night, so that he stays calmer and longer. slept. Observe your baby's sleep. If the child sleeps peacefully and does not flinch in his sleep, then swaddle the baby loosely at night.

Modern doctors recommend limiting swaddling until the baby is one month old. The longest period of swaddling should not exceed four months. Otherwise, the child will experience delayed motor development.

How to swaddle a baby: video

You can take a closer look at the entire swaddling process in this video tutorial.