Evabalilk.com

The Perfect Tech Experience

Relationship

Wrap your baby in happiness

Swaddling is the ancient practice of swaddling your baby snugly in a blanket. It was recently made popular again with Dr. Harvey Karp’s book The Happiest Baby on the Block. The movement restriction provided by swaddling replicates the uterus and therefore provides warmth and security for a newborn. Many parents say swaddling has helped their newborn fall asleep, stay asleep, and soothe more easily. When a baby is swaddled correctly, it prevents her arms from reaching up and shaking him or scratching his face.

Parents struggling with colic have been especially big supporters of swaddling, finding that it can go a long way in calming their fussy baby.

You can keep a newborn swaddled all day and night. Since your baby has just been released from an environment where every movement was restricted, here is what your baby knows and what has made him feel safe. You have just been thrust into a large open world. Giving them a familiar feel can often be just what it takes to calm them down.

Once your baby is about a month old, it is generally recommended to decrease the number of waking hours your baby is swaddled in, as it can impede mobility and development. It’s okay to keep swaddling during naps and overnight if your baby sleeps better that way.

Once your baby is able to roll over (between two and five months of age), there is a concern about swaddling him tightly at night or during naps. A well-wrapped child can roll onto her stomach but cannot back down. Sleeping on your stomach is a risk factor for SIDS. This would be a good time, instead, to teach your baby to fall asleep unswaddled. If your child still sleeps better swaddled, swaddle looser or leave one or both arms open to allow your baby more mobility. Remember to make sure your baby doesn’t sleep in an overheated room when swaddled, as overheating is also a risk factor for SIDS.

If your newborn doesn’t like being swaddled, you can try loosening the blanket or leaving one or both arms open.

For helpful tips on wrapping, watch this easy to follow video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSYPqGtFBYQ

LEAVE A RESPONSE

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *