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August 26, 2024 · Updated October 31, 2025 · Views: 3438

Best swaddle for newborn

Lexy Pacheco

Sarah Johnson, MD

Psychiatrist
Best swaddle for newborn

Babies have traditionally been swaddled for a long time. Swaddling a newborn involves putting a blanket snugly around them to keep them warm and cozy and to let them feel what it's like to be inside the womb. Here are some justifications for swaddling your newborn.

Why do I need to swaddle children?

The purpose is to recreate the feeling of being in the womb, making a newborn feel safe and calm.

Swaddling doesn’t just make your little one look like a cute baby burrito. It has a host of benefits. These include:

Sleep — The most frequently asked question by parents is: Do newborns sleep longer when swaddled? Although it hasn't been scientifically established, many parents report that it gives them deeper, more restful sleep. Moreover, it gives babies a sense of security that promotes sleep. You can also learn about the best sleeping position for newborn to keep your baby safe and comfortable through the night.

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Startle Reflex — Their hands and legs are kept close to their bodies by it. aiding in the reduction of the startle reflex, or Moro reflex. Babies may wake up as a result of this. Moreover, it prevents kids from picking at their faces.

Soothe — Swaddling an infant who is crying can be swiftly soothed when combined with movement and sound. Parents can also explore gentle ways to calm down when feeling overwhelmed, since babies often pick up on their caregiver’s emotional state.

Safe — Studies have shown that swaddling a newborn on its back reduces the incidence of SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome. Understanding how stress and sleep are connected can also help new parents manage their own rest better, which in turn supports their baby’s wellbeing. Later in this essay, we'll go into more detail on SIDS and swaddling safety.

Helps the Parents — Parents benefit from swaddling as also! Parents can get a little more sleep when their infant sleeps longer and fusses less.

How to properly swaddle newborns

You would think it would be easy to wrap a blanket around a newborn. Well, it can be difficult to swaddle. When they attempt anything for the first time, many parents end up scratching their heads.

Before you leave the hospital, you can ask a nurse to give you instructions if you haven't given birth yet. Alternatively, you could inquire on your initial appointment to the pediatrician.

Regardless, the following are detailed instructions:

Step 1: Place it flat so that it resembles a diamond. Take the upper corner and fold it down to the diamond's center. Now the blanket's top ought to be a straight line.

Step 2: Lay your infant on the blanket, face down. Their neck ought to be at the top edge of the blanket. Notably, the head or neck will not be wrapped—only the body will.

Step 3: Gently slide your baby's right arm down its side. Grab the blanket's right corner and drag it down and over your infant's torso. Slide it to the left, under them. The left arm should still be free at this stage.

Step 4: Raise the lower corner and draw it over your infant's legs. Place it under your left shoulder. To allow for some movement of the legs, this fold should be a little looser.

press the infant's left arm toward their side. Snuggle the left corner into the other side of the blanket after lifting it across your baby's torso.

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The swaddle need to be snug but not constricted. Generally speaking, you should be able to accommodate two fingers between your baby's chest and the blanket. It shouldn't be overly loose, though! Try again if it appears like it will come apart easily. If you don’t grasp it right away, don’t give up. If you're still having trouble, try finding a swaddle that has a zipper or Velcro. And if you’re feeling anxious or uncertain as a new parent, an AI therapist can offer gentle support and practical tools to manage stress during this adjustment period.

If you feel that these guidelines aren't sufficiently explicit. This video shows an alternative method.

Should I swaddle a newborn before going to bed

Swaddles are designed mostly for slumbering. However, they can also be used to calm a baby during times other than sleep or naps.

It's safer to swaddle them than to cover them with a blanket. A loose blanket may wind up obscuring their face as they move and sleep. and might result in asphyxia.

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