You might have heard about swaddling but still might be wondering if it is the right thing to do for your child. Swaddling is the practice of wrapping a baby gently in a breathable and light swaddle blanket for babies that will keep them calm, keeping just the head and neck outside.
The idea is to make the little one feel secure and snug just like in the womb. The practice has been around for centuries and dates back to 4000 B.C., but it wasn’t very popular until the last few decades. Swaddling offers many benefits to the parents and the babies when it is done correctly.
Promotes Sleep
Swaddling is the best way to ensure an easy transition of the baby from the womb into the world. It provides them with a soothing touch and soft pressure that helps to decrease heart rate and blood pressure.
It allows the babies to sleep better for an extended period during the night without any disturbances. When baby sleeps peacefully, it will enable the parents to get more sleep too.
Moderates Moro Reflex
Babies often feel a plummeting sensation called the Moro Reflex when they are about to fall asleep. It’s part of their neurological development and is a sign of healthy growth. But it can be quite stressful for the babies, and their sleep can be disturbed. Swaddling babies can prevent such involuntary movements and allow babies to sleep much better.
Calms Down Crying Babies
Swaddling babies helps to calm and soothe babies. It means that they will cry less as it triggers a relaxation mechanism in them and adds a sense of trust and safety in the world. When swaddled, babies won’t startle themselves from their moving limbs, allowing them to settle down easily.
Decreases Risks of SIDS
Loose blankets in baby’s cribs can increase the chances of SIDS. When the babies are properly swaddled, they cannot pull blankets or clothing over their face. Swaddling allows babies to stay warm and eliminates the risk of being suffocated. It keeps the babies in supine position through the night and prevents them from rolling over.
Alleviates Discomfort from Colic
One of the biggest challenges that you might be facing as a parent in the first few months of your child’s life is colic. It can cause a lot of stress in babies and lead to uncontrollable crying because of the pain. The light pressure created by swaddling has a therapeutic effect on the child and offers relief.
Conclusion
It’s essential to learn how to swaddle a baby safely to ensure that you and your baby can benefit from it. Most people swaddle their babies for about six months. It’s important to stop swaddling once your baby shows signs of rolling over.
There are chances that the baby will resist the swaddling at first and might put up a fight. But it does not mean that you should not try it. Once they are correctly swaddled, they quickly adapt to it as they feel secure in it.
