Swaddling may help soothe your baby and make them feel more secure and settled for sleep. It’s important to swaddle safely though, to protect your baby’s hips and minimise the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Read on to find out whether you should swaddle and the dos and don’ts of swaddling your baby.
What are the benefits of swaddling?
Swaddling may encourage your baby to sleep by creating gentle pressure around their body. This sensation mirrors the pressure they once felt in your womb (uterus) to make them feel secure. They’re also less likely to be disturbed by the jerks they do in their sleep, known as the startle reflex (Nelson 2017, ISPID 2020).
Swaddling may also help your baby to calm down if they are over-stimulated. But bear in mind that some babies don't enjoy the sensation of being swaddled. Your little one will soon let you know (Nelson 2017, ISPID 2020)!
When is swaddling unsafe?
If you decide to swaddle, only do it from birth, and swaddle your baby every time they sleep, day or night. Don’t introduce swaddling when the risk of SIDS is highest, at two months to three months (Nelson 2017, ISPID 2020).
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You should stop swaddling your baby as soon as they show signs of being able to roll over (Lullaby Trust nd). This is because if they are swaddled and then roll onto their front, they may not be able to turn themselves back over. Babies should always sleep on their back as it’s hard for them to breathe if they’re lying on their front (Lullaby Trust nd).
How do I swaddle my baby safely?
To swaddle your baby follow these tips:
- Spread a thin cotton sheet or muslin out flat, with one corner at the top folded over to a depth of about 15cm (6in).
- Lie your baby on their back on the sheet, with their neck resting against the fold of the sheet.
- Wrap the top left-hand corner of the sheet across your baby's body and tuck it under their left arm.
- Pull the bottom left-hand corner up over their body, tucking it in over their left shoulder and arm.
- Take the right corner and wrap it around your baby’s back, making sure to leave their head and neck uncovered. You can roll your baby slightly to get the material around them.
- Allow enough room for your baby to move their hips and knees freely, so they can bend their hips up and outwards.
- Some babies prefer to have their arms free. If your baby prefers this, simply follow the instructions for swaddling as above, but tuck each blanket corner under their armpit instead of over their shoulders.
(NCT 2018).
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If your baby is cared for by someone else, make sure they know how to swaddle them correctly too. Take some time to show them how you do it and make sure they know to put your baby down to sleep on their back (ISPID 2020).
Don't swaddle your baby too tightly, as this may affect their physical development. Always make sure they have plenty of room to move their legs up and out at the hips. If you swaddle your baby too tightly, with their legs pressed together and straight down, they’re more likely to develop problems with their hips (hip dysplasia) (NCT 2018, Shaw and Segal 2016).
Only use a thin cotton sheet or a muslin for swaddling and don't cover your baby's neck or face. The idea is to make them feel secure, not keep them warm. In fact you need to check your baby’s neck frequently to make sure it’s not hot to the touch, so they’re comfortable and don’t overheat (Lullaby Trust nd).
How long can my baby stay in their swaddle?
As long as your baby is happy and content, and their hips and legs have lots of room to move, how long they stay in their swaddle each time is up to you. You may prefer to remove their swaddling during breastfeeding, so that you can both enjoy some special skin-to-skin time.
Look for your baby’s cues for when it’s time to stop too. If your baby begins to kick off the swaddle day after day, it’s probably a sign they no longer appreciate it!
Check out this video for three simple and safe ways to swaddle your baby.
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