Swaddling the Baby
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The benefits of swaddling:
Swaddling involves wrapping a baby in a blanket to limit their movements. The enveloping sensation reminds him of life in his mother's womb.
This practice secures and calms the baby, which would reduce his crying. Swaddling is often used for premature or sick babies, since its effect is calming and reassuring.
But a healthy baby can also benefit from the comfort brought by this enveloping sensation. This practice could also help the baby fall asleep more easily and make him sleep longer. This could be explained by the fact that swaddling prevents the startles that often occur during babies' sleep and which wake them up.
When to swaddle a baby?
When you swaddle your baby, you can leave their arms down or up. The important thing is that he likes the position and calms down.
Swaddling is usually used when a baby needs to be calmed because they are having a tantrum, irritated or very agitated. Before swaddling your baby, however, check that his agitation is not caused by hunger, a wet diaper, physical pain (e.g. irritated bottom) or an infection (e.g. fever).
If not, you can swaddle him to comfort him. You can also swaddle your baby for nap time and at night. He can then remain swaddled the entire time he sleeps.
Swaddling during sleep, however, is controversial. Experts disagree on this subject. Your baby can be swaddled several times a day if necessary. There isn't really a rule when it comes to how many times a baby can be swaddled in a day, as long as they seem fine.
Baby doesn't like being swaddled:
Most babies enjoy being swaddled, but if your child doesn't seem to like it, don't push it. Many babies have never been swaddled because their parents use another technique to calm them, such as rocking them with a lullaby or soft music, as long as it looks good.
Precautions to take when swaddling:
- Never lay your baby on his stomach, especially if he is swaddled. The risk of sudden infant death syndrome is 12 times greater lying down.
- Do not swaddle your baby too tightly in his blanket. This could put too much pressure on his lungs and increase the frequency of respiratory infections. You should be able to put your hand between the blanket and your baby's chest. Also check that he can move his legs in the blanket. Wrapping the legs too tightly could cause hip problems.
- Make sure your baby is not hot when swaddled. Swaddling can increase body temperature, one of the factors associated with sudden infant death syndrome. For his safety, use a light fabric, such as a thin blanket, to swaddle him.
- Stop swaddling your child as soon as he is able to turn on his stomach on his own. To soothe him without swaddling him, you can place a musical stuffed animal near the bassinet that plays soft music or the sound of waves.