Swaddling a Baby 101: Helpful Tips On How To Wrap Your Little One - Sunday Hug

Swaddling a Baby 101: Helpful Tips On How To Wrap Your Little One

Importance of Swaddling a Baby

If you're late to the parenting game, you might be wondering what all the fuss is about when it comes to swaddling a baby and the issues it can solve.

When babies are born, they feel uncomfortable and insecure about their new surroundings. They have trouble settling down because the noises, lights and smell of the world around them are unfamiliar. Swaddling your baby gives him a sense of familiarity and security. It also helps him sleep better by providing a sense of continuity in the midst of all the changes he’s experiencing.

The importance of swaddling your baby cannot be overemphasized. It has been proven to be one important factor in aiding a baby's mental, emotional and physical development. In the first three months, a baby is almost wholly dependent on you for the right stimulation and nurture. Holding, caressing, and swaddling will help avoid crying and will keep your baby sleeping soundly. Apart from ensuring that he sleeps well, swaddling has a number of other health benefits as well.

Swaddling is a simple method where you wrap your infant in cloth with their arms and legs tightly secured to their body. This helps a number of things from providing warmth, comfort, and a sense of security.

But, how does this all work? And what else should you consider when swaddling a baby?

Smiling baby in her pink swaddle lying on a baby pink lounger. She’s wearing a light pink headband. Click to visit the baby pink swaddle product page.

Benefits of Swaddling a Baby

1. Prevention of Startle Reflex: When you swaddle a baby, you wrap him in a soft blanket, a sleep sack or swaddle so that he feels like he’s being held. Swaddling mimics the feeling of being in the womb and can help your baby relax. It’s also thought that swaddling prevents unnecessary wake-ups caused by a baby's startle reflex. This is because a swaddled baby’s arms and legs will be contained as they’re wrapped gently in a blanket. That means they will be less likely to startle themselves awake with their flailing limbs.
2. Swaddling a Baby Helps Regulate His Body Temperature: Babies can't adjust to temperature changes as well as adults. Newborns have a hard time regulating their body temperature, and this is especially true after bath time. Babies can't shiver, an ability that isn't developed until later in life. They begin shivering at around six months of age.
That's why they need your help when they get cold! A baby can lose heat 4 times faster than an adult can—that would be like you standing outside without anything on but your socks, during the winter! Swaddling helps them conserve heat and feel secure.

The more snugly swaddled the baby is, the warmer they will be. Be sure to swaddle your bundle of joy during nap time and playtime if they are not wearing many layers or if you have the air conditioning on high.
3. Better Sleep: Swaddling a baby can help him sleep better. When babies are swaddled, they fall asleep more easily and stay asleep longer than when they aren’t swaddled. That’s because being wrapped up makes them feel safe and secure. This creates an environment where they can sleep better.
So if you're looking for a way to get back to the days when forty winks were as simple as closing your eyes, try swaddling your baby! Babies are warm and safe in the womb, so it's no wonder they get stressed out when they're suddenly pushed out into a cool, unfamiliar place. But when you wrap them up in a blanket and make them feel like they're back in the womb, they feel secure enough to fall asleep again. Your little one will love the experience of being wrapped up, and you'll love being able to get some much-needed shut-eye yourself.
Baby wearing a Sunday Hug Daily Cream Mesh Swaddle sleeping peacefully. She is wearing a white handkerchief made from a white headband. She is lying on top of a bed with a white bed sheet. Click to visit the Mesh Swaddle product page.

Does Swaddling Prevent SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome)?

Newborn babies are used to the snug environment of the womb, so swaddling helps them feel secure and comforted once they enter the world. Swaddling is also proven to help reduce crying and fussiness, which means happier babies (and happier parents!). It can also help reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) by helping your baby sleep comfortably on his or her back.

Disadvantages of Swaddling

Oh, sweet baby! How we love to swaddle you. There's nothing more precious than a baby wrapped up tight and looking like a burrito. But as cute as it is, there are some disadvantages to swaddling—and we want to make sure you know what they are so that you can be informed and make the best decision for your little one.
1. It's not safe for all babies.
Depending on their age and size, babies have different safety needs. For example, if your baby starts to roll over early, she should not be swaddled because she could end up smothering herself.
2. It restricts movement too much.
If your baby is uncomfortable in his wrappings, he will not sleep well. If you have wrapped or swaddled your baby too tightly, he may be unable move much. If the blanket is too loose, it may fall off and create a safety hazard, or it may come unwrapped and wake him up. The blanket should be just snug, without being tight when swaddling a baby.
3. Over-dependence in the swaddle.
Babies who are swaddled often also become dependent on being wrapped in order to fall asleep. This can mean extra work for parents when it comes time for their children to stop needing naps altogether!
4. Possibility of developmental delays.

Swaddling a baby can cause developmental delays especially when it's done incorrectly. If the baby is wrapped too loosely, he won't feel secure and might resist being held. On the other hand, if he is wrapped too tightly, he won't be able to move his arms and legs at all. This can slow down their development.

 

Is it Safe to Swaddle a Baby at Night?

The purpose of swaddling a baby is to help reduce the startle or “Moro” reflex. This reflex helps protect your baby when he or she is awake, but during the night it can cause some babies to wake up startled. This can lead to shorter sleep periods. Because swaddling prevents an infant from waking up by accident and helps them sleep longer at night, yes you should swaddle your newborn at night.

If you decide to swaddle your baby for naps or nighttime sleep, make sure to follow safe swaddling guidelines and always place your baby on his back to sleep. 

To Swaddle or Not to Swaddle?

While babies are in utero, they are constantly being touched and moved by the mother. Now, when they are born, it takes time for them to adjust to being out in the “big world” without all that constant contact. The startle reflex is a baby’s way of trying to regain some of that comfort by pulling their arms up towards their face and body. The problem is that when they do this, they will wake up and cry. And when they cry, you would need to of course, get up and try to soothe them back to sleep!

Swaddling a baby helps calm him down because it keeps his arms safely by his sides, recreating that feeling of being held tightly in the womb. It also helps to keep him warm as babies, specifically newborns, have trouble regulating their own body temperature until about 4 months old.

Swaddling your baby is highly recommended but you should keep the proper way of doing it in mind. One of the most important things to remember is to be sure that your baby’s legs are able to move freely and are not bound or wrapped too tightly. Other swaddle brands fail to take this into consideration but it is crucial to a baby's proper development.

If you swaddle too tightly, your baby can't move his or her legs freely and he might develop hip dysplasia. The blanket should be wrapped snugly around the body but loosely around the hips and legs. It should also be tight enough that your baby's hands stay near their face without having to hold them there, but not so tight that they can't easily move their arms at all.

Sleeping baby wearing a pink swaddle with her arms up. She is wearing a light pink ribbon headband made from cloth and is lying on a Daily Cream Sunday Hug Baby Lounger. There are two plants at the back. Click to visit the Daily Cream Baby Lounger product page.

 

Proper Way of Swaddling a Baby

Swaddling is an ancient, effective way to help your baby feel cozy and safe. It's also a great way to reduce the possibility of the startle reflex waking your baby up. But it's important to wrap your baby snugly and properly so it doesn't cause breathing trouble.

 

Here's how to swaddle your baby manually by using a baby blanket:

To begin, lay the blanket on a flat surface with one corner angled up towards you. Next, place the baby on their back towards the bottom of the blanket, with their head above the corner that is pointing up. The top of their shoulders should also be at or just below this point.

Take the left corner of the blanket and wrap it tightly around the baby’s left side, pulling it firmly across their body.

Then take the right corner of the blanket and wrap it around their right side in a similar manner. Make sure that it is wrapped tight enough that there are no gaps where the baby’s arms could get free, and that there is only enough slack to tuck under the baby’s bottom.

Finally, fold or tuck in any excess material from underneath your baby to keep them in place, being careful not to cover any part of his face as this can inhibit breathing.

A crying baby wrapped in white blanket. He or she is lying on a bed with a blue, red, and white line pattern.

Do these all sound overwhelming? Why not buy a ready-made swaddle that will do the job instead! It will save you so much time and effort.

The Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle: Alternative to the Traditional Swaddling Blanket

Swaddling is one of the most effective ways to help soothe a fussy baby. A traditional swaddle requires a flat sheet or thin blanket, and 2-3 careful folds that can be difficult to master. The innovative Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle eliminates the risk of your baby coming loose from all those folds. The sleek and simple design provides enhanced breathability compared to traditional swaddle blankets that have the possibility to cover your baby’s head.

Here are more reasons why it’s revolutionary:

1. The Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle’s stretchy and durable fabric makes it perfect for infants to adjust to life outside of the womb. 

It mimics your embrace by applying gentle pressure around their entire body, including the arms and legs. The soft fabric creates a womb-life environment for infants to sleep soundly as they silence their startle reflex.

Our swaddle hugs your newborn snugly and tightly, helping calm and keep him feeling cozy, warm and safe. It's the perfect alternative to traditional swaddling blankets and ideal for nursing babies.

2. Makes easy diaper changes possible.

It is the last swaddle you'll ever need! Made of 100% cotton for a soft, stretchy fit and longer use, it gives your baby that secure feeling he loves from the womb. Designed for newborns, it keeps even the wiggliest babies tucked in during sleep time. In addition, it also has a helpful zipper that makes diaper changes a breeze! This would be difficult to do if you use a blanket to swaddle.

3. It prevents overheating.

With a snug fit and two-way zipper design, the Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle allows babies to feel the security of being held without overheating from many layers of blankets. The design makes it easy to securely wrap the soft and breathable fabric around the baby’s body without fear of unraveling and suffocation.

4. Minimizes the risk of hip dysplasia which is possible to occur in improperly done traditional swaddling.

Hip dysplasia, which is common in newborns, happens when the hip joint fails to form normally. Most often, this condition can be prevented with the use of a modern swaddle. Its design allows room for babies’ legs so they can move in and out comfortably. Tightly wrapped swaddles do not allow this movement which puts their hips at risk.

This is important to take note of because according to an article from The Globe and Mail, “Several studies have linked swaddling to a higher risk of respiratory infections and, if done improperly, hip dysplasia.”

A swaddle like the Sunday Hug supports the baby's leg muscles to achieve a more natural sleeping position. A loose but secure swaddle helps keep your baby in his or her desired sleeping position. The Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle is designed with a little extra room at the hips to allow for the natural movement of the legs.

5. Does not hinder developmental growth.

The Sunday Hug Swaddle Wrap envelopes your baby in warmth and security. You don’t have to worry about developmental delays due to the baby swaddle being too tight because we have done our best to find the best swaddle fit for the different ages of babies.

6. Prevents suffocation.

The Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle never constricts the movement of the baby’s head and neck so that your baby doesn’t have any breathing troubles.

Your baby will love the silky soft stretch material hugging them comfortably around their neck and chest, while still being able to breathe freely. Allow your baby an easier transition from being held all the time by providing our super snug swaddle that both of you will love.

7. Prevents Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).

The Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle never constricts the movement of the baby’s head and neck so that your baby doesn’t have any breathing troubles.

In addition to helping calm overactive startles and natural movements, it is recommended that in order to reduce the occurrence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), parents should not use blankets for swaddling. To keep your baby warm, swaddling with a sleep sack like this is a safer option than using additional blankets.

It is made from high-quality and breathable fabric, so it doesn't feel hot or heavy on your baby's skin. A sleep sack also doesn't interfere with a car seat or stroller like some other blanket solutions might. This makes it perfect for use at home as well as while on-the-go. With multiple ways to secure your baby and full-length zipper access, this sleep sack will meet all of your swaddling needs with ease.

 

The Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle is designed to make it easier for you as a caring parent to guarantee your baby gets the best rest and the best start in life.

Cozy up your little one in this ultra-soft and breathable cotton sleep sack. The fabric is not treated with any chemicals or flame retardants, making it safe for baby’s sensitive skin.

Baby wearing a Pure White Sunday Hug Baby Swaddle. His or her arms are up. The baby is wearing a black cap with an elmo design. He is also lying on a Daily Cream Baby Lounger and he is smiling.