The Art of Swaddling

Have you ever wondered why your baby is so calm when the hospital hands you over your neatly wrapped baby? It actually looks like they’re giving you your present! But can you do the same at home?

Do it right by learning the basics of swaddling your newborn.

Swaddling is a traditional art form of wrapping infants to mimic the closed environment of the womb. Tuning the baby to make them feel safe and secure as they adjust to the life outside the womb.

1. Spread your baby’s blanket out on a flat surface with one corner pointing up, like a diamond. Fold the top corner down about 6 inches.
2. Place your baby face-up on the blanket. Her head should sit above the folded corner, and her body should extend straight down toward the bottom corner.
3. Straighten your baby’s left arm. Then take the left side of the blanket and wrap it over her left arm and chest. Tuck the blanket underneath her other arm and back. At this point your baby’s left arm will be covered but her right arm will be free.
4. Fold the bottom corner of the blanket up over your baby’s body and tuck it under the first fold, under her chin. Straighten your baby’s right arm and pull the right side of the blanket over your baby’s body and tuck it under her left side.
5. Loosely twist the bottom of the blanket and tuck it underneath your baby.

(What to Expect, 2019)

Swaddling is an effective technique when handled properly. Remember to check if the blanket is too snug as it may be a cause of damage on their hips, joints, and cartilages. Stop swaddling if your child already breaks free from the wrap or starts to roll over. By being wrapped up, it interferes with the healthy developments of baby’s motor skills.

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