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Baby swaddling techniques

 
Check out these swaddling techniques on how to swaddle a baby. Swaddling simply means wrapping a baby securely. Swaddling is a great technique to calm a fussy baby and makes settling to sleep much easier. Many babies enjoy being swaddled well past 6 months old. There are many different ways to swaddle, but try these two different techniques and see which works best for you.
Check out these swaddling techniques on how to swaddle a baby.

Swaddling simply means wrapping a baby securely. Swaddling is a great technique to calm a fussy baby and makes settling to sleep much easier.
 

Baby swaddling techniques


Many babies enjoy being swaddled well past 6 months old. 
 
Some parents report that their babies don’t like to be swaddled, but often it's because their baby is being swaddled once they are already overtired.

New parents will need to practice their swaddling technique until they are efficient, quick and firm to make it most effective.
 
It is important that your baby's face is kept clear at all times and that a swaddled baby always sleeps on their back.
 

How to swaddle your baby


To start swaddling your baby get a large, good quality, stretchy wrap at least 120cm x 120m. A good quality wrap will last several babies and it is useful to have more than one.

There are many different ways to swaddle a baby, but try these two different techniques and see which one works best for you and your baby.
 
Swaddling technique 1
 
  • This wrapping style is a hybrid of several techniques. It results in a nice firm swaddle that allows your baby to sleep in a natural 'flexed' position, with their hands under their chin.
 
  • The upside to a swaddle like this is that if you need a nappy change in the night, you can leave the top half wrapped up and just undo the bottom half. Also babies love to have their hands near their faces.
 
  • This technique allows this to happen without their hands escaping and scratching their faces or allowing them to startle.
 

Step 1: Lay a large square swaddle out on a firm flat surface. Fold down 15cm-18cm (about 5 inches) from the top and place your baby on top of the swaddle off centre - closer to the right hand side. Make sure the folded top edge is in line with your baby's shoulders/neck.

Step 2: Tuck your baby's left arm up under the folded down edge of the fabric.
Step 3: Using both hands help your baby put their wrapped arm across their chest with their elbow still bent, and tuck the rest of the fabric, very firmly and diagonally downwards under their back and bottom.
 
Step 4: Repeat steps one and two with the other side of the swaddle. There should now be a nice firm 'V' neck.
Step 5: At the feet end of the swaddle, pull the edges out to make a wide based triangle shape.
Step 6: Ensuring your baby can still straighten their legs, fold up the triangle over their body.
Step 7: Wrap one side and then the other around the lower half of your baby, tucking any tails in. This should be done in such a way that your baby's legs/thighs and hips are left loose and allowed to naturally bend and rotate outwards in a relaxed position.
 
Swaddling technique 2

This is the more traditional swaddling method that many websites demonstrate and recommend.
 
Step 1: Fold the top corner 2/3 of the way down and lay on a flat surface. Lay your baby on top.
Step 2: Hold your baby's left arm down against their body and use the left flap to wrap very firmly around your baby's body and tuck the rest flat underneath your baby's body.
Step 3: Take the point down by your baby's feet and tuck it over behind their right shoulder, leaving enough room to allow for straight legs.
Step 4: Hold your baby's right arm straight and take a segment of the right flap pull it across their body to make a 'v' neck. Hold this in place with the thumb of your left hand during step five.
Step 5: While holding the 'v' in place use your whole right hand to pull the rest of the right flap firm and flat across your baby's body and right behind them. This should be done in a way that your baby's legs/thighs and hips are left loose and allowed to naturally bend and rotate outwards in a relaxed position.
 
Step 6: Bring the flap behind your baby, right around to the front on the right side again and tuck it into the right side of the 'v' neck. This is the key to a secure wrap.

More baby articles to enjoy:
Source: Iti Baby
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