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Swaddling is an ancient practice of wrapping babies in blankets or swaddling clothes, which has found a resurgence in popularity in the United States due to attachment parenting movements and concerns about SIDS. Swaddling has many benefits, including helping babies maintain an even body temperature, sleeping longer, and feeling safe. However, there are some risks associated with swaddling, such as hip dysplasia and overheating, which can be minimized by swaddling for short periods and controlling the ambient temperature. Swaddling should cease when a baby begins to learn to roll over.
Swaddling is an ancient practice of wrapping young babies in blankets or swaddling clothes. It helps comfort a baby and usually allows them to sleep longer. Being swaddled securely makes the baby feel more secure.
This form of packaging has always been common in European and Asian cultures. It has recently found a resurgence in popularity in the United States. Attachment parenting movements, coupled with concerns about sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), have led to increased awareness of the benefits of swaddling. Several brands of blankets are available, as well as specially designed “pocket” blankets with Velcro tabs on the sides to make it easier for babies to wrap themselves around.
Before a baby is born, it is held in its mother’s womb. The space is cramped, welcoming and warm. The child is then born into a cold world where he is able to flail his limbs wildly. This can be a very scary experience for a newborn. Swaddling can recreate the experience of the womb by securing a baby’s arms and legs close to his or her body. Blankets also help keep your baby warm by locking in body heat.
Swaddling has many benefits. It can help a baby maintain an even body temperature. Young children still don’t have a way to moderate it on their own. A swaddled baby sleeps longer, as he is prevented from jerking and waking up. Wrapping can be a great way to soothe a fussy baby, because it makes babies feel safe. It also prevents a child from accidentally scratching themselves with their nails.
Keeping a baby wrapped up like this can also reduce the risk of SIDS. Infants should not be put to bed on soft sheets. This is because the baby could turn into the bedding or accidentally pull a blanket over their face and suffocate. Bandaging helps prevent this. A swaddled infant is still kept warm, but cannot cover its face with the blanket.
There are some risks associated with swaddling. The first is hip dysplasia, which is caused by tightness in the tissue around the baby’s legs. By not keeping a baby swaddled for long, only doing it for an hour or so at a time, this risk can be almost completely eliminated. Another option is to wrap your arms snugly, but leave your legs loose. The risk of overheating may be slightly higher for a swaddled infant. If you are swaddling a baby, keep in mind the ambient temperature and choose a blanket accordingly. There are many lightweight fabric options.
Some babies need to adjust to the idea of swaddling. It may also take a few tries for new parents or new caregivers to figure out how to swaddle a baby properly. Most babies outgrow this type of swaddling by four months of age, some much sooner. The moment a baby begins to learn to roll over, even by accident, swaddling should cease. Some babies quickly figure out how to get their arms out of even the most secure sling. For these children, the possible amount of time can be incredibly short.
The risks associated with swaddling a child are minimal if caregivers are careful to control overheating and wrap the legs loosely. It can work well to calm babies who are suffering from colic or are just having a period. More importantly, wrapping a baby in this way may provide a way to fulfill that longed-for dream of new parenthood: sleep.
