All About Swaddling
Most babies are swaddled pretty quickly after birth. It is a very common practice, and for good reason. Babies are cuddled up real tight and cozy in the womb by the end of pregnancy, and a lot of what goes into soothing newborns is recreating the different sensations and comforts they would have known in the womb. So swaddling them can help recreate this feeling for your baby. I have always been a big fan of swaddling newborns, but I know not everyone is in the same boat with me in that area.
So let’s talk about it! To swaddle or not to swaddle?
What is the right way…or you know if you’ve read any of my blogs, I’m going to say what is the right way **for your family.** What works for your family is always the best way to go!
There is research that shows swaddling can help infants sleep longer and better. This is because swaddling your baby reduces the instances of them experiencing their startle reflex which can wake them up in the middle of a sleep cycle and make it harder for them to fall asleep. Even awake, babies can experience the startle reflex which can cause them to start crying. So another win for swaddling - it can help prevent and soothe a fussy newborn.
Most people that are hesitant to swaddle are hesitant because of the fear of weaning their baby off of the swaddle. This is so fair! This can be a really tough transition! I wrote an Instagram post all about how to navigate this transition. If you are in the party of fearing the transition, check that post out here.
Is there a preferred type of swaddle?
The baby product market today offers a variety of types of swaddles. From velcro, to arms up zippered, to your traditional swaddling blanket, and more! As far as a sleep consultant’s opinion on these, I say use what your baby prefers and sleeps in the best. Babies do tend to have preferences on these in regards to everything from the type of swaddle, to the positioning of their arms, to the type of fabric, and even the thickness of the fabric. So if you’re an expecting parent, I recommend putting several different types of swaddles on your registry so you can figure out what your baby prefers, and go with using whichever one that is for them!
I personally am a strong advocate for the swaddle. It is so helpful with early soothing and sleeping for newborns. The transition can be tough, but in my opinion, the benefits make it very worth it and we have a lot of tools in our toolbelt for making the transition go smoothly. If you decide to swaddle, you can continue to use it until your baby shows signs of learning to roll over. Once they learn to roll, they need to be out of the swaddle for safety reasons. Start transitioning them out of the swaddle and into a sleep sack when they are first showing signs of learning to roll over so that you have several days to make the transition gradually.
As always, if you have questions or need help with a sleep challenge such as transitioning out of the swaddle, reach out to us! We’d love to be on your team as you navigate your journey of achieving the sleep you are dreaming of, for both you and your child!
~Becca