For a newborn baby, the world is new and mysterious. No wonder newborns cry so much! They’re experiencing everything for the very first time, and it can be overwhelming. But sometimes, it can be difficult to soothe a newborn when all they want is to cry. How about the comfort of a warm hug?
We’re talking about swaddling, the practice of wrapping up your baby tight like an adorable little burrito. This practice is perfect for baby’s first few months out in the world. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, swaddling is best in the first two months. Afterward, babies can graduate out of their swaddle stage.
Okay, so, the idea of swaddling is all well and good, but how do you do it? Remember our burrito analogy? The technique is very similar. Still, if you’re having trouble, don’t sweat it. We’ve got a step-by-step guide to help you swaddle your baby like a pro.
1. Fold the top corner of the blanket down and place your baby’s shoulders parallel with the folded edge.
Any good baby blanket should do as long as it was made for babies. Bigger blankets will have way too much fabric and may overheat your baby. If you’re looking for good baby blankets, check out our store. For instance, this set comes with a plush teddy bear, in addition to a soft baby blanket.
2. Tuck the left corner under baby’s right arm and under her body.
You’re going to want your swaddling technique to be tight enough to provide baby with some comfort. Keep the swaddling tighter at the shoulders but looser at the hips to prevent hip dysplasia.
3. Bring the bottom corner up over the baby.
New parents will often get this step wrong the first few times they swaddle their baby. If you notice your little one kicking out the bottom portion of the blanket, start bringing that bit up a little tighter. If it’s still happening, fold down less of the corner of the blanket from step one to give you more to work with in step three.
4. Bring the right corner over baby and tuck the extra blanket into a fold.
Tah dah! You’ve got a comfy, cozy baby burrito. This is an ultra relaxing way for your baby to sleep, but make sure you set her on her back if it’s bedtime. The American Academy of Pediatrics says a swaddled baby sleeping on her stomach is a big no-no. Reduce the risk of SIDS by keeping her on her back.
