How to Swaddle a Baby
When your baby is in his infant years, he prefers to lie down, sleep and be cuddled all the time. Babies love the comforting feeling of being wrapped, reminding them of being in the womb. Since you can’t hold your baby all the time, the best alternative is to swaddle him with a snug blanket. Here’s how to do it.
Before You Begin
Swaddling an infant isn’t a very difficult task, but there are certain guidelines to remember to make sure your darling is safe and comfortable at all times.
If your baby seems upset, and cries a lot, check if there are other problems (wet nappy, hungry, or not feeling well) with him first. Swaddling might only worsen his uncomfortable feeling.
Check the blanket. It should be thick enough to provide warmth, but still breathable, so your baby stays comfy. Make sure it’s not dirty, moist or soiled.
Unless the weather is too cold, dress your baby in pyjamas or any light clothing before swaddle him.
Don’t cover your baby’s nose and mouth when you swaddle him. If your baby prefers his arms free, wrap him below his arms.
Steps
Find a clean and comfortable flat surface where you can swaddle your baby. It can be on a changing table, or even the bed. Lay down the swaddling blanket on it, spreading it out.
swaddling
One corner of the blanket must face away from you, while another one faces you, so the blanket looks like a diamond. Arrange it so that its far left edge is long, while the far right is a short edge.
Get the top corner, then fold it down at least 12 to 18 inches. This forms a large triangle or V-shape at the blanket’s top.
Pick up your baby, then lay him down on the blanket. The straight line at the top of the new triangle must be at an even level with its eyes.
Tuck your baby’s left arm, under the flap made by the triangle. This prevents him from pushing out his arm and giving him a more secure feeling.
With the left hand tucked, grab the corner of the blanket on the far right. Fold it over the baby, pull taut, then tuck under your baby’s back.
Fold the bottom flap up, before moving to the other arm. Pull this flap tautly too. You can bend your baby’s legs a little, but if he squirms, it’s better not to. If it can reach, tuck the end of this corner under the flap made by the previous fold.
Tuck your baby’s right arm under the triangular flap, then pull the blanket’s left corner tightly across your baby’s chest. Tuck this flap’s end under your baby. His weight holds it in place. If your baby is small enough, you can wrap this corner all the way around him, then tuck it in front again.
For additional security and warmth, put a cap over your baby’s head.
Make your baby feel your warm, tender loving care, even if you’re not holding him, by swaddling him properly. This way, you’ll have your hands free and your baby snug and comfy.