Swaddling can be extremely helpful when it comes to soothing and comforting your baby. Once you learn how to swaddle, it can also pose many benefits, but one of the biggest is sleep!
My son is a month old and we’re still swaddling on a daily basis. He gets very overstimulated at the end of the day, and swaddling soothes him faster than any other calming method. Sometimes, he even refuses to nurse until he’s been swaddled! Luckily, there are a few awesome swaddle blankets (have you seen what’s new from Genius Series?) available to help make it a little easier.
Here are some step-by-step instructions on how to swaddle if you want to give it a try! I’m using the aden + anais classic swaddle in my pictures.
How to Swaddle:
1. Start by laying the blanket on a flat surface. Create a diamond shape, and then fold down the top corner.
2. Lay your baby down on their back in the center of the blanket. Their neck and shoulders should be centered below the top of the fold.
3. Make sure baby’s right arm is flat at their side, and fold the left corner of the blanket over their body. Tuck the blanket under their back. Be sure to pull the blanket taut while performing this step! If you don’t, baby will squirm right out of the blanket and it won’t have the same calming effect. The goal here is to minimize wiggle room — like the womb.
4. Bring baby’s left arm to their side. Pull the other corner of the blanket across baby’s body and tuck it underneath.
5. Bring the excess blanket over baby’s feet and tuck it under their body. Keep baby’s face uncovered.
6. Lastly, bring the remaining blanket over and around baby’s body. Wrap the corner around their back to secure.
After a few minutes of swaddling, you may have a calmer baby on your hands. Or in your hands. 😉 I find that holding your baby in the cradle position and rocking gently back and forth with a pat on their bum really helps get them wind down and get in that sleepy state.
If you choose to swaddle, know how to do it correctly and safely, as it could pose certain risks to baby’s physical development.
About the Author
Amanda is a stay-at-home mom of three who keep her on her toes! Her family resides in Columbus, Ohio — the Buckeye state! She ventured into cloth diapering a little "late," but is a firm believer in "better late than never!" Amanda enjoys her morning coffee, spending time with her littles, buying too many cloth diapers, much-needed pedicures and the rare date night with her husband. Get to know Amanda on her personal blog, Fluff Bum Babies. Instagram: @FluffBumBabiesMama
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