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Baby Swaddling Safety Tips

What does it mean to swaddle a baby? Wrapping a baby in a blanket with their arms positioned at the sides is swaddling. The method of using swaddling blankets is practiced in many countries and cultures because it is known for better sleep methods of babies. North American Indian mothers have used this method for carrying their babies for many years. Swaddling a newborn can recreate the warm feeling that newborns have in the womb. The swaddling method is useful in soothing sleeping babies and ease excessive crying. The overall sleep patterns can also be improved with this method.

Swaddling a baby is not as easy as it may seem. When you are handed your newborn baby from the hospital nursery it will already be perfectly in their swaddle blanket. The nurses in the hospital have had plenty of practice with swaddling. The key to learning the swaddle method is practice. The large, thin, 100% cotton blankets that they use are also helpful. (Though you can get your own cute themed blanket, such as a pink camo swaddle blanket.) The proper method to swaddle a baby should be: You should lay the blanket out flat in the shape of a diamond. Then the blanket should be folded down three or four inches of the top edge. Place the baby on the blanket so that his head is overlapping the top edge that you turned down. You will then tuck the baby's right arm into the flap that was made by the folded down edge and the right corner of the blanket. You then take that corner and pull it across his body and tuck it behind the opposite side of his back. Bring the bottom corner of it up and tuck it inside the blanket near his chest. Tuck the left arm inside the flap made by the folded down edge and the left corner of the blanket. Pull that corner across the body and tuck it behind the blanket on his back. If you are having problems mastering the technique then you can also buy a swaddle blanket with velcro.

Some parents will say that using baby swaddle blankets has helped their babies get to sleep and stay asleep. They also claim that the baby will be comforted more quickly especially when they are newborns. A baby that is properly swaddled will feel warm and secure.This can also prevent a baby from throwing his arms up and startling himself. It can also prevent him from scratching his face.

Most parents use the swaddle blanket only when their babies are newborns. Many babies do not need that warm or security after about two months of age. Most babies will start to roll over between two to five months anyway. This would be a good time to stop swaddling and getting them used to falling asleep on their own.

Skin Care Specialist