You often hear about swaddling your baby to relax him. On the other hand, you may hear that it is dangerous. What should you believe? Should you do it? How to do it well? We tell you everything.
Swaddling: what is it?
Swaddling consists of wrapping baby in a blanket or a nappy to reassure him. It's a bit like wrapping him up like a little roast to give him the same sensations he had in his mother's womb.
Why swaddle your baby?
Swaddling your child has the following benefits:
- To reassure him: he is warm, safe, contained as in his mother's womb, which helps to soothe him
- Improving sleep: baby can have uncontrolled movements such as jerking (moro reflex) which wakes him up and makes him cry. Thus contained in the blanket, his movements will be restrained and he will sleep more peacefully (and so will you!)
- To calm his colic: baby moves less, is reassured and the cloth exerts a light pressure on his tummy, which calms his pain
When to swaddle a baby?
You can swaddle your baby as soon as he feels the need to do so and seems agitated (it won't work all the time!). Make sure that this restlessness or crying is not due to hunger or a full nappy.
At nap time or at any other time, you can even swaddle baby at night. There is no particular frequency to respect but of course you must not overdo it and leave him free to move around.
| DID YOU KNOW? |
| Carrying your baby in a baby wrap offers the same comforting sensations to your baby while allowing you to have him/her against you. You can hold your baby as if he were in your mother's womb and still feel your warmth. Baby is reassured, wherever you are! |
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| I DISCOVER THE BABY WRAP |
Until what age should baby be swaddled?
It is strongly recommended to swaddle your baby only during the first 2 or 3 months. Paediatricians may recommend stopping when your child is able to turn over on his stomach on his own.
Swaddling dangers: precautions to take
To carry out this practice, there are certain safety rules to be respected:
- Do not wrap the blanket too tightly: : the hips and legs must be able to move for his good development. Make sure that your hand goes between his chest and the blanket so that his lungs are not compressed.
- Always place him on his back when swaddled, and if he can roll over on his own that's a sign to stop :) (increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome)
- Choose a light fabric so that he doesn't get too hot (fine cotton, jersey..) and don't dress him too much underneath.
How to swaddle a baby?
Swaddling baby is very simple!
- Spread the swaddling blanket out flat to form a diamond shape and fold the top corner outwards
- Place baby in the middle on his back, with his shoulders level with the folded edge
- Fold the right-hand corner of the blanket over your baby, keeping his right arm alongside his body and tucking the fabric between his arm and chest
- Fold the other side of the blanket over your baby's left side, sliding the fabric under his back
- Make sure baby is not too tight, can breathe and move his legs
- Fold the remaining fabric under baby's feet
Don't hesitate to talk to a professional if you want to be reassured and have an opinion on baby swaddling. Babywearing will be able to accompany you at any time of the day to carry your baby safely while providing the comfort and security he needs to calm down.