This is how swaddling can calm your baby down
Swaddling: This old swaddling technique for newborns has recently experienced a renaissance. You can read about what it is and why your baby likes it here.
Swaddling is a special wrapping technique that your little one will feel very comfortable with. Babies who are swaddled calm down very quickly, fall asleep faster and have less abdominal pain. Why is that? When swaddling, you wrap your newborn baby tightly in a blanket so that it feels reminded of the close security in the womb. It feels safe and blissfully falls asleep.
At first, you can swaddle your baby several times a day, because newborns don’t have the urge to kick. Later you should only swaddle it at night to sleep and only if your baby likes it.
How long can you swaddle a child?
Swaddling is a swaddling technique for newborns. However, there is no hard and fast rule as to when you should stop. One of the main reasons for swaddling is to prevent uncontrolled arm movements that startle babies at night. This so-called Moro reflex usually only occurs in the first few months after birth. A rough guideline for swaddling is therefore 3 to 5 months. After that you should wrap your baby looser and looser step by step and wait and see if it still sleeps peacefully.
The winding technique
- You need a molleton cloth or a woolen blanket measuring 80 x 80 cm. The material should be breathable and, if possible, made of natural materials.
- First you fold the upper corner of the cloth inwards. Now lay your child on the blanket. If the head is to be covered at the end, it must lie on the blanket. If you want it to be free at the end, put it over the folded corner. In this case, you can put your child’s head on a thin pillow.
- Now fold the bottom corner over your child’s right shoulder and tuck the blanket under the shoulder.
- Now place the right corner of the blanket firmly over your little one and tuck it under the right side of their body. Your child’s weight is now on the right side of their body.
- Finally, wrap the left corner firmly around your child’s body and clamp it under the left side of the body. Your little one is now swaddled.
If you have difficulties, just ask your midwife. She can definitely show you the right wrapping technique and practice it with you. In this article you will also find a selection of beautiful swaddles.
And what is it wearing under the covers?
Your baby should definitely wear a diaper in the blanket. Otherwise, depending on the season and constitution, it can either be naked or wear a bodysuit. In winter, your head should definitely be covered at night. A light cotton cap protects it from drafts (especially in the first few weeks). If you are unsure whether your child is too warm or too cold, then check the temperature on your child’s neck. This is the best place to find out how your little one is feeling. But be careful: Many new parents tend to wrap their child up too warm. So pay attention not only to the cold, but also to signs that your child is sweating.