By Mariel Uyquiengco
Swaddling is the practice of wrapping infants in a blanket. It is said to calm babies as it protects them from being disturbed by their startle reflexes. Swaddling also tries to recreate the feeling of being inside the womb, making babies warm and comfortable.
Though it is a practice that goes back to thousands of years ago, swaddling has been and still is a subject of controversy. Some states in America have actually banned it in childcare centers because of an increased risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Newborns have soft hips and tight swaddling prevents them from moving, causing hip dysplasia.
Babies are first handed to their parents in the hospital clean and snugly swaddled. Without proper guidance on how to swaddle a baby, though, parents might keep their babies tightly wrapped or swaddle them long after there is a need for it. According to the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, child minders should leave room for the hips to move when swaddling a newborn. Here are the basics of swaddling a newborn.
-Using a square baby blanket or cloth, fold down one corner to make a straight edge.
-With the blanket on a diamond position, place the baby with the folder corner at his shoulder level.
-Bring the baby’s left arm down, fold the left corner over his arm and chest, and tuck it in under his right side.
-Bring the baby’s right arm down, fold the right corner over his arm and chest, and tuck it in under his left side. His weight will keep the blanket in place.
-Fold the bottom of the blanket and tuck it loosely behind the baby.
The American Academy of Pediatrics urges parents to remember the following when swaddling a newborn:
-Make sure that a hand can fit between the blanket and the baby’s chest to not constrict breathing.
-Make sure that there’s space for the baby’s hips to spread and move up. His legs should also be able to move naturally apart.
-A swaddled baby should be put on his back only.
-Babies should not be swaddled beyond two months of age. This is to avoid suffocation when a baby can already roll on his stomach but cannot lie down on his back again because he is swaddled.
-Using wearable sleep blankets is an option that can be explored.
Swaddling can immensely help keep babies calm and comfortable. However, with the risks that go with the practice, it is important for parents to know the proper way of how to swaddle a baby. More than that, parents should also remember the reason for swaddling their baby, and it is not to restrain them or to keep them from moving about.
Mariel Uyquiengco hopes to inspire parents to be their children’s first and best teacher. She does this through her blog and online children’s book shop www.thelearningbasket.com and by giving parenting seminars about early childhood development, preschool homeschool, and raising children to be readers.
