Swaddling: the practice that makes baby's sleep easier
Swaddling your baby in a diaper or a blanket is a simple method that allows him to have a good night's sleep.
Do you know why? In this position, the child finds sensations that he knew before his birth, in the belly of his mother. He feels reassured.
This practice as old as the world tends to return to the taste of the day. And for good reason: it is a simple and natural way for your child to fall asleep more easily and enjoy a better sleep. As his body is maintained, he is less subject to the uncontrolled sleep movements that infants experience.
Let's look together at all the benefits of this practice, as well as the right gestures to adopt in order to swaddle your baby correctly and safely.
Why do babies like to be swaddled?
Wrapped in a cloth or a blanket, the arms close to the body and the legs maintained, the child finds himself in a situation comparable to that which he knew in the womb of his mother.
The long months which he spent growing up before his birth are registered in him, unconsciously. His body is well surrounded and safe: this is the sensation that swaddling allows him to regain.
From a physiological point of view, this technique allows to reduce the parasitic movements, frequent on the limbs of infants. This is what is called Moro's flexion. The infant's arms and legs move uncontrollably and can become very weak during the night.
Another point on which swaddling acts: gastric pain. Indeed, the maintenance and the pressure of the swaddle which surrounds the infant make it possible to decrease the intensity of the digestive pains, very frequent.
It is not thus about a miracle solution, but well of a technique which takes account of the physiology of bé and its feeling.
When to swaddle baby?
While this is a good method for the child, it must be practiced correctly.
Certainly, the child feels secure in this position, but it must be limited to sleep. The rest of the time, movements are very important for him. He begins to become aware of his body and the world around him, and to experience new sensations.
During the day, he must remain free to move. It is essential for its cognitive and social development.
We are thus satisfied to swaddle bé at bedtime, at the time to go to sleep. Carefully wrapped in a cotton blanket or swaddle, we put the child to bed for a nice long night (we hope).
How to swaddle baby properly?
There are a few precautions to take when swaddling your baby. Since he will be immobile, care should be taken not to overtighten the swaddle or blanket and to make sure that each limb is in the right position.
In itself, the swaddling technique is not complicated, you just have to be gentle and methodical:
- Put the diaper or blanket in a diamond pattern in front of you, on a flat surface.
- Rap the top corner toward the inside.
- Place your child on the cloth: his or her head should extend from the top edge.
- Hold b&e's left arm along his body, and fold the right corner of the blanket over, tucking it under his right arm.
- Then hold her right arm and fold the blanket over bé to trap the folded corner underneath.
- Twist the bottom of the fabric, then fold it toward the inside of the diaper.
Swaddled this way, baby will be comfortable and reassured to have a good night's sleep.
Advice to young parents
If you are unsure of your technique, or if the method of folding the blanket seems complicated, don't hesitate to ask the midwife who is accompanying you for advice. She will be able to show you how to do it with your child at bedtime.
What are the safety rules for swaddling?
That bébé feels reassured, that is good. That he is safe, that is better.
Given the fact that bébé will be surrounded by a cloth, it is évident that there are some safety instructionsé à to respect:
- Make sure the swaddle is not too tight: simply slip your hand between your child's chest and the cloth. It is important that the baby is not compressed at the lungs.
- Baby's lower limbs should be able to move: if you can press your arms against your body, you need to keep baby's hips and legs mobile.
- Use a swaddling blanket: often made of jersey, they are not too thick. It is not necessary to put the child in a sleeping bag if he is swaddled in a suitable fabric.
By following these tips, swaddling will no longer be a fear, but a pleasure shared with bé.
Until what age is swaddling recommended?
In general, during the first trimester after birth, baby spends excellent nights well swaddled. However, around 3 or 4 months of age, when gesticulating becomes important to him, it's time to put him in a sleeping bag.
Of course, from one child to the next, sleeping habits vary. Tell yourself that the signal to stop swaddling your child is when he or she is able to roll over on their own. From then on, you can use a sleeping bag.