If you have a baby, you know that sleep is a precious commodity. You’ll do almost anything to get your little one to sleep through the night. One method that has been proven to help babies sleep better is swaddling. Swaddling is the practice of wrapping a baby in a blanket so that he or she feels snug and secure. Keep reading to learn more about how a baby swaddle can help your baby sleep better.
The Science of Swaddling
Babies are born with a startle reflex, also known as the Moro reflex. The Moro reflex is an autonomic response to being startled that causes babies to fling their arms out to the side and cry. The startle reflex usually goes away on its own after a few months, but in the meantime, it can make it difficult for babies to sleep. When babies are swaddled, they cannot flail their arms, so they often sleep better.
How to Swaddle Your Baby
Now that you know how swaddling can help your baby sleep better, you’re probably wondering how to swaddle your little one. Here are some simple instructions:
1) Choose a lightweight blanket. A swaddle wrap or another type of light blanket works well for swaddling. Avoid using a heavier blanket, as this could increase the risk of SIDS.
2) Lay the blanket flat on a bed or changing table surface.
3) Fold down one corner of the blanket to form a triangle. This will be the top corner of the swaddle.
4) Place your baby on his or her back on top of the blanket so that his or her head is near the folded-down corner.
5) Wrap the left side of the blanket across your baby’s body and tuck it underneath him or her. Then do the same with the right side. You want your baby’s arms to be snug against his or her body but not constricted.
6) Finally, take hold of the bottom corner of the blanket, wrap it up and over your baby’s feet, and tuck it underneath him or her. You want your baby’s legs to be able to move freely but not too much.
7) Adjust the wrapper as needed so that your baby is comfortable and can breathe easily but cannot wiggle out of it quickly.
A properly executed swaddle can do wonders for helping your baby (and you!) get some much-needed rest. While it may take some practice to get the hang of it, once you do, you’ll be able to quickly and easily swaddle your little one like a pro!
My Luxeve has a range of baby swaddles that you can use for your baby to swaddle. See our beautiful baby swaddles and swaddle wraps here.
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