Swaddling is an old technique of wrapping the baby to keep him warm with the feeling of being secure. In many countries it is traditional practice to swaddle the baby and put him on his back to sleep. But till recent times, it wasn’t routinely done in western countries of North America or Europe.

Benefits of swaddling:

1. Till the birth, a baby is snug and comfortable inside the womb. The baby doesn’t feel the same warmth and security in the outside world after the birth. By swaddling, babies feel secure as if in the womb.
2. Infants have less control over their hands and legs movement. Baby is startled by his own flailing limbs and wakes up crying. But swaddling your baby can bundle him up neatly and he can sleep peacefully and longer in this cocoon-like wrap.
3. Studies have shown that when babies are swaddled, they sleep for longer periods on their backs (thus avoiding the risk of SIDS) and also, they easily settle into slumber.
4. When swaddling is a part of bedtime ritual, as soon as the baby is swaddled, he gets the signal of sleep time and settles down quietly.
5. Swaddling can keep the newborn warm, till their own body thermostat starts working.
6. The bedclothes remain properly tucked, so fewer chances of bed sheets covering baby’s face and thus reduced risk of SIDS.
7. Baby’s movement around the crib is restricted, so less chances of any dangerous accidents.

Some questions are raised over swaddling:

• It may interfere with baby’s normal breathing.
• It may lead to overheating
• It could cause hip joint problems.

But various researches have shown that the oxygen level remains same even when the baby is swaddled. To assure that the baby is just warm and not overheated, a light cotton cloth should be used for swaddling your baby, and not a heavy blanket. The hip joint problems are found in very rare cases and not fully proved to be because of swaddling.

Method of swaddling your baby:

1. The square wrap of light cotton material should be placed flat in diamond shape
2. The top corner is folded into a triangle. The baby is placed over the triangular fold with his neck and head above the fold.
3. The left corner of the wrap is lifted and covered snuggly over baby’s body, then tucked behind his back.
4. The bottom part of the wrap is folded over the baby’s feet and legs.
5. Finally the right side of wrap is covered around the baby’s body and tucked underneath, so the baby is wrapped like a burrito roll.