Swaddle
According to Merriam-Webster Dictionary:
1a: to wrap (an infant) with swaddling clothes
https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/swaddle
I choose to swaddle bubs to sleep for several reasons. With my daughter I didn't swaddle her to begin with and once I found how much of a lifesaver (or at least sanity saver) it is, I was swaddling her every night.
Swaddling is comforting for a baby. They are tightly wrapped and warm. I think it must remind them of being in the womb or tucked so tightly. Or at least being cuddled up with someone.
I find bubs is a lot warmer and settled in a swaddle and will sleep for longer without stirring.
A baby has a natural reflex called a Moro reflex, where their arms shoot up and their body jerks to noises. When they are swaddled it stops this reflex from happening. If the baby is around any noises- this can stop them from waking up thus making them sleep for longer periods of time.
I also like to swaddle bubs because it allows me to feel he is warm and comfortable. Our house is quite warm usually, but it does drop in temperature over night. Being swaddled, I feel content in knowing his temperature shouldn't drop also.
Types of swaddles
We have several types of swaddles that we like to use each night. As part of our night time routine, bubs is put into a onsie with hands and feet covered. We then swaddle him in one of the following:
1. Kmart Swaddle Pouch. The above photo is one of the kmart swaddle pouches. They have a zipper down the front and there is no "wrapping" involved.
2. Baby studio swaddle. These swaddles are from target. There is a little wrapping involved but they have velcro to help keep them in place.
I will show you below how these wrap on bubs.
3. Muslin wraps of various sizes. We were given a few wraps, and I bought a few too in preparation. My amazing mum crocheted around the edge of them to give them a little bit of decoration and to keep the edges from fraying. These require wrapping completely and I find a lot of the time bubs gets his hands out within a few minutes.
See below for tips on how to wrap a muslin wrap. It does require some practice.
Baby studio swaddle
1. Place baby into swaddle. It is almost like a sleeping bag. Make sure the top edge is under baby's neck.
2. Place left arm down as shown. You will grab the left flap of swaddle and place across the middle.
If you look closely you can see the velcro patch on bubs belly. There is the other piece of velcro on the left flap of the swaddle that matches up to it.
3. Hold down the right arm similar to how you did the left one. I like to make sure hands are tucked into the bottom part of the swaddle. You will then grab right flap and fold across the front.
There are velcro parts on the outer side of the left flap that goes around the back. This allows for plenty of adjusting and tightening.
4. And there you have it. A swaddled baby.
How to wrap a muslin wrap.
1. Lay the wrap down in a "diamond shape." Fold the top corner down slightly (I usually fold it the same size of bubs head.
2. Place baby with shoulders across the top edge of wrap.
3. Hold babys left arm down, pulling left side of wrap across baby's body and tuck into right side of body.
4. Fold up the bottom point of wrap across baby.
5. Hold down baby's right arm and pull right side of wrap across baby.
Alternate way:
Do steps 1-3.
4. Hold down baby's right arm and pull right side of wrap across baby.
5. Bring bottom point of wrap up and across the front of baby and pull around to back.
For more indepth instructions click the link below:
https://www.ecoathome.com.au/Baby-Wrap/
Disclaimer: This post was in no way promoted or paid for review. The products have been personally chosen for review from experience.
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