What Is Swaddling and Why Should You Do It?

Posted by aden + anais on March 30th, 2021

One of the essential skills a new parent can learn is how to swaddle their newborn with a receiving blanket. Sleep can be tough to come by in the first few months after having a baby, but you and your baby can get better and safer sleep by swaddling your baby. Here is what you need to know about swaddling, including when you should stop swaddling.

What Is Swaddling?

Swaddling uses baby blankets to wrap your baby up, holding their arms down and legs fairly close together while allowing the hips free movement. A baby blanket is usually enough, though specialized swaddle sacks are also available but are also less versatile. The goal is to keep the swaddle tight enough to keep the arms in place, but not so tight that your baby is uncomfortable.

What is the Moro Reflex?

The Moro reflex, or startle reflex, occurs when a baby is asleep and throws their arms and legs out to the sides. This startles them awake. Swaddling prevents their arms and legs from moving, which in turn does not startle your baby, keeping them safely asleep. The Moro reflex goes away within the first year, but until then, it can be a problem if you and your baby are trying to get sleep.

Changing Swaddling with Age

As your baby ages, they may want their arms free as the Moro reflex lessens and eventually goes away entirely. This can help them sleep better, as they will want the freedom of movement and might be upset if they can’t move their arms. This could lead to your baby not sleeping, even though they are still swaddled. If your baby is fighting being swaddled but not yet trying to roll over, try leaving one or both arms out.

The Best Fabric for Swaddling

Swaddling in winter is easy enough with baby blankets, but what about in summer? When there is hot weather, you may be reluctant to swaddle your baby, as overheating could be an issue. However, if you use a 100% cotton muslin receiving blanket, your baby will be both safely swaddled and comfortable thanks to the light, breathable fabric.

When to Stop Swaddling

When your baby starts trying to roll over on their own, it’s time to stop swaddling. This often happens between 2 and 4 months. You should stop swaddling before your baby is fully able to roll over. Your baby at that point might be able to kick off the blanket, and a loose blanket goes against safe sleep guidelines.

About aden + anais

The signature super-soft, 100% cotton muslin products that made aden + anais a favorite of parents everywhere were enough to make even the British royal family break tradition. Products like their baby blankets and burp cloths have been consistently ranked among parents’ favorites since 2006, and an aden + anais baby blanket swaddled a newborn Prince George after his birth. Often considered indispensable by parents, 100% cotton muslin aden + anais swaddles were named an essential baby item by readers of Parents Magazine, noting that it’s something every parent should have. Cute, practical, and stylish, the brand’s baby essentials put comfort at the forefront of every design. With aden + anais, you get high-quality, Insta-ready products, from baby blankets to sleeping sacks, burpy bibs, and more.

Swaddle your baby with baby blankets from aden + anais at https://www.adenandanais.com/

Original Source: https://bit.ly/3reYHOh