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Articles Swaddling Your Baby Research-based information, resources, and tips for families, consumers, and educators; provided by the faculty of the University of Florida/IFAS Department of Family, Youth and Community Sciences.
Written by: Suzanna Smith
Reviewed by Donna Davis Swaddling Your BabyRecently, the ancient infant care practice of swaddling has caught on in some communities around the United States (see Meltz, 2006). Swaddling seems to have a soothing effect on crying babies—and as a result, on their parents, too.
Swaddling is a method of wrapping a newborn baby.Swaddling is a method of wrapping a newborn baby in a cotton sheet or light blanket as is often done by the nurse immediately after a baby is born, restricting the baby’s movement. Common wisdom suggests that swaddling gives babies a feeling of security and warmth as they adjust to life outside the womb (Meltz, 2006).
Swaddling has sleep benefits for newborn baby.Recent medical research suggests that swaddling has some benefits for infant sleep. In a study of 26 healthy babies, researchers found that swaddling helped decrease arousals during sleep, perhaps enabling babies to go back to sleep on their own (Gerard, Harris, & Thanck (2002). Another study of 16 infants found that swaddling promoted “more sustained sleep”and fewer awakenings (Franco et al., 2005).
Swaddling must be done properly!A word of caution: if not done properly, swaddling can be risky (see van Gest et al, 2002). A nurse or midwife can help a new mom or dad learn how to do it properly. Swaddling needs to be done safely so the baby is not too warm or circulation is cut off. The baby’s face must not be covered and of course the baby needs to be moved, held and cared for in other loving ways. So, if your baby cries a lot or has trouble sleeping, you may want to talk to your baby’s health care provider about the best way to swaddle your infant.
References
Franco, P., Seret, N., Van Hees, J-N. V., Scaillet, S., Groswasser, J., & Kahn, A. (2005).Influence of swaddling on sleep and arousal characteristics of healthy infants. Pediatrics, 115(5), 1307-1311. Retrieved April 19, 2006 from
Gerard, C. M., Harris, K. A., & Thach, B. T. (2002). Spontaneous arousals in supine infants while swaddled and unswaddled during rapid eye movement and quiet sleep. Pediatrics, 110(6), e70. [Electronic article.] Retrieved April 19, 2006. Meltz, B. F. (2006, April 10). Methods mimic the womb for calmer babies, calmer parents. The Boston Globe [online]. Retrieved April 19, 2006. Van Gestel, J. P., L’Hoir, M. P., ten Berge, M., Jansen, N. J. G., & Plotz, F. B. (2002). Risks of ancient practices in modern times. Pediatrics, 110(6), e78. [Electronic article.] Retrieved April 19, 2006. |