Home Family and home Children How to swaddle a baby

How to swaddle a baby

by Irina Mikailova - Jul 20, 2017

0 424

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 point unnecessary. It is believed that baby it is hard to breathe while in diapers. Many more parents think that forcible straightening of the legs then leads to developmental problems.

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

Since swaddling is somewhat similar to being in the womb, the baby is calmer.
A warm diaper helps the newborn baby's imperfect thermoregulation.
The 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 in special courses for future parents, or a doctor or nurse takes over this function right in the hospital. But it's best to prepare in advance and hone all movements. After all, after birth baby, it will be more difficult to learn.

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

There are several ways to swaddle a baby:

With tight swaddling of a limb baby stretched out and wrapped tightly in a diaper. This method is considered outdated and is now not recommended even by doctors.
Free swaddling leaves the baby the opportunity to make movements with his arms and legs. For older children, you can leave the handles free.
With 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 a divorced position.

Let's take a look at how to swaddle your baby with free swaddling. To do this, spread a clean diaper on the 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 handles free, place the edge of the diaper at underarms.

Now take the baby by the right handle and press it against the baby's chest. Diaper top corner, which is located from rights, swipe to the left obliquely and put it under the child's back in the area of his pelvis. Now do the same on the left side.

Now we will deal with the lower ends of the diaper. Spread them out and fold 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 under the cut, first on one side, and then on the other.

Up to what age to swaddle a baby

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

You can limit yourself to swaddling the baby only at night, so that it is longer and calmer. slept... Watch the baby sleep. If the child sleeps well and does not flinch in a dream, then swaddle the baby not tightly for the night.

Modern doctors recommend that you limit yourself to swaddling until the baby is one month old. The longest changing period should not exceed four months. Otherwise, the child will have a delay in motor development.