Swaddling Guide

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One of the fist things you should be doing with your baby (outside of feeding and holding your little cutie) is swaddling.

The moro or startle reflex is present at birth and often occurs right before baby is about to fall asleep or wake up. It causes baby to suddenly startle which can wake him up or make it hard for him to fall asleep. This is where swaddling comes in handy. Not only does it help prevent the moro reflex from disturbing baby (he doesn't even realize those limbs are his!), but it helps keep baby nice, tight and snug like he used to be in the womb which is comforting rather than confining or claustrophobic like some people think. It may also reduce the risk of SIDS.



How to Swaddle
However you swaddle, do it tight! Remember how tight those nurses in the hospital swaddled baby? Do it that tight! Once again, people will probably have their own thoughts on the matter ("but baby can't breathe or move! Oh my!"), but generally, the tighter the better. Obviously you do need to make sure you aren't doing it so tight that baby can't breath, but that this is pretty hard to do.

If you ask 5 different people to swaddle your baby they'll probably do it all a little differently. While some ways are better than others (mainly because they stay in place and allow free movement for baby's legs and hips) the best way to figure out what works is to try it and see if it lives up to its name. Here are some different swaddling options :

• Halo Swaddle/SleepSack - I love these, and they provide a nice transition to a sleep sack after you are done swaddling. 
• Swaddleme - Simple, quick to use and relatively inexpensive.
• The Miracle Blanket is a special blanket that helps keep arms of little houdini's from sneaking out. I used this with three of my babies and loved it. It worked past the newborn period too, which is a concern of many parents.
• The woombie or swaddlepod are some swaddling alternatives that give baby a womb-like feel. I've tried the woombie and liked it but never got much use out of it since my son was already used to a different swaddle and preferred it over this.
• Some babies do better with their arms at their sides when swaddled while others like to have their arms across their chest. Keep in mind that arms at the chest are more likely to get out of the swaddle. When swaddling with arms at the side, allow a little room for elbow movement.
• Many people like to use muslin blankets to swaddle. There are lots of cute ones available. They are a little stretchy, super soft and breathable. Here is a youtube tutorial on how to swaddle with a blanket (be sure to give the hips and legs enough room!)

Here's one swaddling technique:

• The Baby Whisperer - "Lay flat a receiving blanket like a diamond. Fold one corner of the diamond down to make a nice straight edge. Lay your baby on the blanket, so that his neck is even with the fold and his head is out of the blanket. Place his left arm at a forty-five -degree angle across his chest and bring the right corner of the blanket across your baby's chest and tuck it under the left side of his body. Bring the bottom of the blanket up to cover his outstretched legs. Finally, bring the left corner of the swaddle across his chest and tuck it under his right side."

What if Baby Doesn't Like To Be Swaddled?
First off. Are you sure? If he is kicking or crying most likely he is flailing his limbs because he is overtired, and overstimulated. He may also be trying to settle himself for sleep or simply needs a moment to readjust to a new situation. If he's a newborn, he probably likes to be swaddled, he just may not like it when he is getting swaddled.

What if baby keeps 'trying to get out' of the swaddle? 
This doesn't mean he doesn't like the swaddle or that he is too old for it. Most likely he simply needs to be swaddled a bit better or needs a better swaddle blanket (like the miracle blanket).  If you feel he's old enough to be unswaddled, you can try weaning. If he's getting out of the swaddle and seems to be doing fine comforting himself (many children will find their fingers and be quite content), then you're probably good to wean.

What if it is too hot to swaddle?
Before throwing out the swaddle, try some other alternatives (unless, of course, it's time to get rid of it anyway).

• Keep your house at a cooler temperature.
• Strip your baby down either to a onsie or even just a diaper. When we visit family in Arizona, my babies pretty much only sleep in a diaper--and they're still hot!
• Only swaddle the body and not the feet. You can also use something that holds just the arms like the Swaddle Strap. This is also really handy for changing baby's poopie diaper (you know what I mean if you've got one of those babies who likes to, well, get his hands messy).
• Use a light weight blanket (those adorable muslin ones) or a light weight swaddle. I've always been fine with just a cotton swaddle, but I keep my house pretty cool. There are also some products that are made to be cooler, like this and this.  I haven't personally tried them, but they have great reviews.

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