How to swaddle a baby that is good and right

When a new baby is born, parents usually have prepared a series of newborn supplies, one of which is swaddling cloth. Swaddling babies is a tradition that is still used by the wider community. There are many pros and cons regarding the use of swaddling cloths for babies, then what is the use of baby swaddling? How to swaddle the baby properly? Here's the explanation.

The benefits of using swaddling cloth for babies

Swaddling babies is done by wrapping a small blanket around the baby's body to provide warmth and protection for the baby.

As reported by Healthy Children, swaddling babies in the right way can help babies sleep calmer and more comfortably.

Here are some of the benefits of carrying a baby:

1. Make baby sleep better

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), baby swaddling is useful for making babies sleep more soundly, comfortably, and soothes the baby when done properly.

2.Reducing the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS)

Swaddling a baby can reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) in newborns. However, with a note that the baby must be placed in a supine position facing up.

Swaddling your baby makes it more difficult for your baby to move around while sleeping, so this can protect him from the harmful things that can cause SIDS during sleep.

3. Helping babies sleep longer

Babies usually wake up easily because of something small that bothers them and surprises them. Wrapping the baby with swaddling cloth can prevent this and make it sleep longer.

That way, the baby's sleep time needs are met which can support the baby's development and growth.

4. Help calm the baby

Swaddling your baby can make your baby feel warmer. This can remind them of the environment while they are still in the womb.

Swaddled babies usually cry less often. If the baby cries or writhes while being swaddled, it means that the baby wants his arms and legs to move freely. It's best to loosen up the baby swaddling a little.

5. Promotes neuromuscular development

Swaddling the baby can limit the movement of the baby's hands and feet. This can help develop the baby's motor skills better in the future. The benefits of carrying a baby are especially helpful for premature babies.

The correct way to swaddle babies

If you want to carry a baby, make sure you know how to do it properly. Here are the steps and the proper way to swaddle a baby:

1. Lay the cloth on a flat surface and fold one corner slightly.
2. Place the baby on the fold of the blanket, baby's shoulders just above the crease.
3. Make sure the baby's arms are under and around the body.
4. Pull the corner of the blanket near his left arm over his left arm and chest, then tuck the corner of the blanket under the right side of his body (give a little looseness to allow the baby to move freely).
5. Pull the corner of the blanket close to his right arm over his right arm and chest, then tuck the corner of the blanket under the left side of his body (give a little looseness to allow the baby to move freely).
6. Twist or fold the bottom edge of the blanket and tuck it over the baby's back. Make sure that the legs are slightly bent upwards, and that the legs and hips are free to move

Avoid stretching the baby too tightly. This can cause the joints in the baby's feet to loosen because the legs are too straightened out. In addition, this method can also damage the soft cartilage of the hip cavity that leads to hip dysplasia .

Things that must be considered when putting on a baby swaddle

Swaddling a baby in the wrong way can have a negative impact on your little one, such as damaging the joints in the baby's legs and hips which can develop into hip dysplasia .

Some of the things that you should pay attention to when carrying a baby are:

Avoid swaddling babies too tightly

Do not stretch the baby too tight, especially on the feet. Many mothers pull and squeeze their baby's feet before wrapping up the swaddling blanket.

This can prevent the baby's legs and hips from moving. In addition, a baby's legs that are stretched forcibly can also cause the joints in the baby's legs and hips to loosen.

These conditions can increase the risk of the baby getting it hip dysplasia (disorders of the formation of the hip joint in which the top of the thighbone is not right in the hip cavity).

Tighten the top pile

Usually the mothers swaddled their babies by giving looseness on the top of the swaddle and tighter on the lower part.

But in truth, the opposite is true. Give some slack at the bottom of the swaddle, and swaddle the top tighter.

The movement of the baby will let the swaddle come off a little, so make sure the baby's arms are tightly stretched and the swaddle is neatly wrapped.

The loose top swaddle can be a risk factor for this sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or sudden infant death.

Swaddling the baby is one way to reduce the risk of SIDS because it provides comfort to the baby while sleeping.

Supervise when baby is sleeping

While sleeping, it is best to supervise the baby who is swaddled not to roll over and sleep on his stomach. Sleeping on your stomach can obstruct your baby's airway, which increases your baby's risk of developing SIDS.

In addition, try not to have any objects around the baby when he sleeps, such as blankets or pillows. These objects can cover the baby's nose, so he can have difficulty breathing.

There is a risk if the baby is swaddled in an incorrect position

Swaddling a baby improperly increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States, sudden infant death is caused by the wrong method of swaddling.

First, the parent swipes too hard, the baby can suffocate in his sleep.

Second, because the swelling is too loose, the cloth will likely come off and cover the nose because the baby's arms can move freely so that the cloth covers the mouth and nose.

Another risk that can occur is dysplasia, which is the abnormal growth of tissues or organs because the baby's legs have to be straightened when applied.

The cartilage and joints of the baby can be damaged when this happens. In addition, babies are more prone to some baby skin problems, such as rashes or prickly heat due to sweating quickly due to swabs.

When should a baby not need to use a swaddle again?

The baby no longer needs to be swaddled when the baby starts to roll over. Usually, babies can roll from the age of 4 to 6 months.

However, due to different baby developments, there may also be babies who can roll over before the baby is 4 months old.

In addition to determining the recommended age of the baby, parents can also pay attention to several signs when the baby wants to be removed. Here are the signs:

• Babies often wake up during the night as if looking for a comfortable position for the baby to sleep.
• If the swelling is only limited from the chest to the feet, and the baby has started moving around to roll over.
• Swaddling that only covers the chest to the feet may be released because the baby is constantly moving.

The following signs are a developmental transition of the baby's movement to the rolling position as well as a sign that the parent should stop swaddling him.

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