If you are pregnant or have just given birth, I am sure you have heard all about swaddling. The most amazing benefit of swaddling is that it can soothe a fussy or colicky baby. Swaddling can also help keep baby warm during the first few days until his internal thermostat can kick in. Your baby just spent 9 months in a very snug, warm and cozy place and swaddling is a great way to replicate the same feeling for baby outside of the protection of the womb. In my experience, swaddling can almost immediately quiet a cranky baby and in turn cranky parents. However, swaddling your baby too tightly can cause Hip Dysplasia. But what is Hip Dysplasia and how do you prevent it? I recently came across this video, which explains both…
If you can’t view the above video, here is one of the methods described in text:
- If using a square cloth, fold back one corner creating a straight edge.
- Place the baby on the cloth so that the top of the fabric is at shoulder level. If using a rectangular cloth, the baby’s shoulders will be placed at the top of the long side.
- Bring the left arm down. Wrap the cloth over the arm and chest. Tuck under the right side of the baby.
- Bring the right arm down and wrap the cloth over the baby’s arm and chest.
- Tuck the cloth under the left side of the baby. The weight of the baby will hold the cloth firmly in place.
- Twist or fold the bottom end of the cloth and tuck behind the baby, ensuring that both legs are bent up and out
* For more information go to http://www.hipdysplasia.org/default.aspx
Using a receiving blanket only works for the first few weeks because the baby outgrows them so quickly and are the easiest swaddle for them to wiggle out of. For a much easier method of swaddling I suggest using a miracle blanket or a sleep sac by Halo. For more information on proper swaddling and the Miracle blanket see our post entitled “The importance of swaddling”
Happy swaddling everyone!