What Are the Benefits of Swaddling a Baby?

Do you have a newborn baby who has trouble sleeping at night? Or maybe you have a fussy baby who gets irritated easily when it’s time for a nap and you’re not sure how to soothe her.

One of the most effective ways to help a baby fall asleep faster is by swaddling, which mimics how the baby felt in the womb. But what exactly is swaddling and what’s the best way to do it? Will your baby like it and sleep better when swaddled?

We answer all these questions in this article, so read on to discover the many benefits of swaddling a baby and how to swaddle your newborn the right way.

What Is Swaddling?

Swaddling is a traditional practice of wrapping a baby in a cloth or a swaddle blanket in order to restrict the movement of the limbs. The main goal of swaddling is to help the baby sleep better and feel calmer.

What Are the Benefits of Swaddling a Baby?

Even though this is an age-old technique, baby swaddling comes with many benefits for both the mom and the baby. When the baby sleeps better, so does the mom, and both wake up well-rested.

Here are some of the most common benefits of swaddling:

Improved Sleep

Swaddling a newborn can help improve their sleep both during naptime and during the night. The baby feels comfortable and warm, so it’ll sleep for longer periods of time as a result.

Always put a swaddled baby to sleep on its back, never on the front. It’s best to start swaddling from birth so the baby gets used to it.

Calmer Baby

Swaddling can help the baby feel calmer as the swaddle mimics the mother’s touch and the feeling of being cozy in the womb. The swaddle should be comfortable for the baby, so make sure to always use a lighter, natural material such as a bamboo swaddle blanket.

Prevents Unnecessary Wake-ups

Babies have no awareness of their limbs so if they’re not swaddled during the night, they might startle themselves with their own hand and leg movement. This leads to unnecessary stress and waking up which means a tired, irritable baby.

Swaddle Safety and Risks

Swaddling is highly beneficial, but there are still some swaddle safety precautions you should take before you swaddle your baby. For example, swaddling too tightly can lead to hip dysplasia problems and overheating.

Always use the lightweight swaddle fabrics and do not swaddle the baby if you co-sleep. Most pediatricians recommend stopping swaddling as soon as the baby turns 2 months old.

Swaddling Will Help Your Baby Sleep Better and Wake Up Well Rested

Now that you know about the many benefits of swaddling a baby, it’s time to try it out. Most babies love swaddling as it mimics the mother’s touch and the slight weight helps soothe them.

Swaddling has its risks as well, so be extra careful about the type of swaddle technique you use and the swaddle fabrics. Your baby’s comfort is the most important, so stop swaddling as soon as the baby starts to roll.

Need more parenting and baby-related tips? Explore the rest of the posts we’ve written on these topics to help you navigate all phases of life with more ease and joy.