Swaddle: What it is, benefits and how to do it

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Swaddle: What it is, benefits and how to do it

What is swaddle?

Swaddling is a technique in which we wrap the baby in a blanket to simulate the feeling of comfort when the baby was in its mother’s womb. This is a very old technique used all over the world.

Benefits of Swaddle

Swaddling helps the baby sleep longer and also prevents the so-called Moro reflex, which is an involuntary movement of the baby’s body that usually happens in the first three months of life and causes the baby to wake up suddenly. This reflex is similar to the sensation many people have when they are having a dream and it suddenly feels like they are falling.

Another benefit is the prevention of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). This syndrome occurs when the baby turns upside down and suffers from suffocation or overheating. It is recommended that the baby sleeps upside down, many sleep badly in this position, but the swaddle helps the baby in this position.

Up to what age can we do swaddling?

Experts do not recommend swaddling if the baby is more than 4 months old. This practice should be stopped before the baby is 6 months old, the age at which they begin to try to turn on their own.

How to do it?

The first step is to spread a blanket, or a diaper, on the floor with one corner folded forward.
The second step consists of placing the baby on the blanket face up with his head above the fold.
Naturally, fold the baby’s right arm across the body and drape the blanket over the chest. The left arm must remain free above this fold.
Then fold the bottom part of the blanket up so that it covers baby’s little feet and attach it to the fold near the neck.
Finally, repeat step three with your left arm.

Care to be taken

Vigilance: In order to ensure that the baby is safe while in the swaddle, we have to keep an eye on him to prevent him from turning over on his stomach.
Don’t tighten the blanket too much: In order to prevent damage to the baby, we can’t tighten the swaddle too much. It is recommended that there is a space of three fingers between the blanket and the baby’s chest and that the bottom is wide enough for the baby’s legs to move freely.

Regulate the temperature: Baby must not be too hot while in the swaddle. Reddened or hot cheeks, sweating, damp hair and rapid breathing can all be signs that your baby is too hot.

How do you choose the right blanket?

The swaddle blanket must be the right size for the baby, so that the swaddle isn’t too tight or loose.

Terra Ninho’s blankets are ideal for this technique as they are the perfect size and use 100% BCI (Better Cotton Initiative) cotton, making them breathable and comfortable to improve your baby’s sleep.