As the parent of a newborn, it's easy to feel as though you're always chasing sleep. But if you can learn how to swaddle a baby, you might just buy yourself a bit more time and your child a little more restorative sleep. Swaddling allows babies to keep their arms down and inside a wrapped blanket, which is key to helping them stay calm during the first few weeks of life.
"Newborns have reflexes for the first few months that make their arms move. They startle themselves and wake up, so by having them inside the swaddle, it keeps them calmer longer and less likely to wake themselves up by flailing their arms," says Dr. Jen Trachtenberg, a board-certified pediatrician.
You can swaddle with a basic receiving blanket, but many parents prefer a special swaddle blanket made specifically for the job. "Swaddle blankets and sacks with fasteners, snaps and zippers are much easier to use, especially when parents are tired at night," says Dr. Trachtenberg.
How do you swaddle a baby?
The American Academy of Pediatrics has excellent swaddling instructions and guidelines, as does this video. If you're giving birth at a hospital or birthing center, the maternity nurses will help you swaddle your baby so she stays asleep longer, but it's worth asking one of them for a quick, hands-on lesson so you can be sure you're able to replicate their techniques at home. If you registered for swaddle blankets, you can even pack one in your hospital bag (be sure to wash it first) so you can practice using it.
It's essential that the swaddle blanket is the only thing that's in the crib with your baby. "Never use padded inserts, pillows, heavy blankets or loungers that are not approved for sleeping, as these items increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), strangulation and suffocation," says Dr. Trachtenberg.
How long should babies be swaddled?
"Baby can be swaddled until around 2 to 3 months, but be sure to stop if baby has started to roll over and always place baby on her back while swaddled," says Dr. Trachtenberg. If your baby rolls over while swaddled, she could become stuck in a face-down position, unable to breathe. Once your baby has outgrown the swaddle, you can switch to a wearable blanket (also called a sleep sack) if you're worried about her getting chilly at night. (Bonus: Babies in sleep sacks look ridiculously adorable.)
Can you swaddle a baby too tightly?
Some parents may mistakenly think that a tighter bundle is better, but this isn't the case. "When swaddling, it's important that baby's legs are not stretched out straight and wrapped too tightly, as this can cause problems with the developing hips. Make sure that the legs and hips are able to bend and move a bit," says Dr. Trachtenberg. A good way to check, according to the AAP, is to see if you can fit two or three fingers between the blanket and the baby's chest.
Here are the best swaddle blankets for babies that will hopefully help everyone catch a few more Zzzs.
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