Swaddling newborn with arms out

Step-by-Step Guide with Pictures– Nested Bean

Swaddling is an age-old practice that has helped newborn babies fall asleep for centuries - but for some little ones, it isn't quite that simple!

Whether they like to suck their thumb or they just crave a little more freedom, some babies like to swaddle arms free, rather than the traditional way with arms straight against their sides.

If you're a new parent with a little Houdini baby who wants to sleep with their arms out, we're here to help with a step-by-step guide on how to swaddle your baby arms free!

Is it still safe to swaddle?
How to swaddle with arms out
Practice swaddling your baby
Transition to sleep sack

Is it still safe to swaddle With Arms Out?

If you've never swaddled your baby with one arm or both arms out before, you might be understandably concerned about the safety of it - after all, isn't the point of swaddling to keep baby's arms tucked in?

Swaddling still feels snug and secure even without arms being wrapped up, as just the slight pressure on your baby's chest can help to ease the womb-to-world transition.

Swaddling your baby with one or both arms out is perfectly safe, as long as you continue to wrap her blanket securely. In fact, some newborns prefer being swaddled with one or both arms free from the very beginning. - whattoexpect.

This is also a great swaddling technique for babies who roll earlier than 4 months, as the American Academy of Pediatrics state that you should stop swaddling when your little one can roll independently.

By keeping their arms out, you're making sure they're sleeping safely while still giving them the comfort of a swaddle.

How to swaddle with arms out

Swaddling your baby with their arms out of the swaddle blanket is pretty similar to swaddling the traditional way, just with a few little differences.

Above, you can see a quick guide on how to swaddle your little one with their arms out, with detailed step by step instructions below:

If you're looking to become a swaddling master, check out our blog on how to swaddle your baby for more information!

Practice swaddling with arms out your baby

Swaddling is practiced by parents all around the world, but that doesn't mean that everyone's an expert straight away! From swaddling too loosely to using the wrong kind of blanket, there are a few pitfalls you can fall into if you aren't careful.

Although millions of swaddle blankets are sold each year, many parents never learn to swaddle a newborn correctly. This is worrying, as incorrect swaddling, much like leaving loose blankets in the crib or placing baby to sleep on their front, can pose a safety risk.

Even if you get confused at first, by the 5th or 6th time we're sure that you'll find it as quick and straightforward as changing your baby's diaper, and it'll be a part of your baby's sleep routine that you look forward to!

If you're still having some trouble, there are plenty of tutorials out there to help, and asking parent friends to do an in-person demonstration can also help - you got this!

Transition to sleep sack

The swaddling stage doesn't last forever, and eventually you'll have to transition away from your swaddle blanket and towards something like a wearable blanket.

This transition needs to happen once your baby is rolling over from their back to their tummy independently, which usually happens around the 4 month mark (though anytime a little earlier or later than this is also perfectly normal).

Our blog on transitioning to a sleep sack is great if you're starting to go through this process. On the other hand, if you want sleepwear that can keep your baby sleeping soundly even after the swaddling stage, why not try our Zen One?

With its quick-drying mesh sleeves that can easily zip on and off for thumb suckers, it's convertible from a swaddle sack to a wearable blanket and features a gently weighted Cuddle Pad to mimic your soothing touch.

No time to swaddle?

Nested Bean’s Zen One classic takes all the guesswork out of getting the right fit when swaddling your baby - and it's designed to keep even the trickiest babies from escaping. Learn more about the Zen One here!

Other Resources

Mayo Clinic: How to swaddle a baby

National Library of Medicine: Moro Reflex

Healthychildren. Org: Swaddling: Is it Safe?

Hip Dysplasia Institute: Hip-Healthy-Swaddling

Commonly asked questions about swaddling with arms out

Can I swaddle my baby with their arms out?

Absolutely! Though many parents assume that you have to keep your baby's arms within the swaddle blanket, it's completely safe to have one arm or both arms out when they're sleeping. This is great for thumb suckers or babies who like to have a little more freedom as they snooze.

If you're wanting to swaddle your baby with their arms out, you can try our Zen One convertible swaddle. With its quick-drying detachable mesh sleeves, this swaddle sack is perfect for swaddling little one's arms free - just zip one or both of the sleeves off.

You can even continue to use it after your baby has transitioned away from swaddling with both sleeves removed!

When do I need to stop swaddling my baby?

You'll have to stop swaddling your baby when they can roll over from their back to their tummy independently, as being swaddled and rolling onto their front can pose a SIDS risk for your baby. Most babies start to roll over at around 4 months old, but it's completely normal if your baby rolls a few weeks before or after this.

Regardless of their age, if they're rolling, you'll need to make the transition.

What can a baby wear when you need to stop swaddling?

If you've found that your swaddle blanket was the only thing keeping you and your baby from having sleepless nights in the newborn stage, you might be understandably nervous about transitioning baby to a new kind of sleepwear.

But don't worry - a sleep sack like our Zen Sack can provide a similar sense of comfort as swaddling while still being arms free for safety.

How long does it take to stop swaddling?

When you have to stop swaddling your baby, you don't need to go completely cold turkey - in fact, babies tend to find the transition less jarring if you spread each stage out over the course of a few nights.

For example, you might start by swaddling with one arm out while your baby sleeps for a few nights, then move on to both arms, before switching out the swaddle blanket altogether.

When does the Moro reflex stop?

If you don't know already, the Moro (or startle) reflex is a natural instinct your baby is born with. It essentially means that, when faced with a loud noise or sudden movement, your baby responds by flailing out their limbs - which can wake them in the night.

You might have found that swaddling was the best way for your baby to sleep through their Moro, or startle, reflex, as it kept their arms tight to their side and prevented them from flailing out so much. But what do you do about your baby's startle reflex when you can't swaddle anymore?

Fortunately, the Moro reflex usually starts to fade away when your baby is between 3 and 6 months old - essentially when they start rolling!

This means that you're unlikely to run into any issues when you stop swaddling, as the reflex itself is likely to be going or gone by the time you have to transition.

Baby Fights or Breaks Out of Swaddle – Happiest Baby

By Dr. Harvey Karp, MD, FAAP

Swaddling is an important part of the 5 S’s for soothing babies for a good reason: It works! Swaddling mimics the snug, but gentle hug babies experience in the womb. That cozy, nostalgic feeling can increase sleep by triggering a baby’s calming reflex. It also keeps your little one’s flailing arms from bonking them in the face and waking them up. The one snag? Sometimes little Houdini babies break out of the swaddle. That does not necessarily mean that they don’t like—or need—swaddling. Instead, it may simply mean that your swaddling technique needs adjusting. Follow these guidelines below to ensure that your baby won't break out of the swaddle!

Why Babies Break Out of The Swaddle

Most of the time, your baby fights the swaddle because your swaddling technique needs a slight adjustment. (Check out my guide for how to swaddle a baby using the DUDU method. These step-by-step instructions will show you my preferred approach for swaddling, so your baby can sleep comfy.) At the same time, your baby was born with a startle (aka moro) reflex. This causes your little one to flail and stretch out their arms when they’re surprised by, say, a loud noise or a quick movement. That means, if the swaddle isn't secure, your baby can easily break free.

If Your Baby Doesn’t Like the Swaddle…Try Tightening The Swaddle

The secret of a successful swaddle is keeping your baby’s arms snug, while leaving the blanket loose around the knees and hips so they can bend and open easily. You’ll know that your swaddle is perfectly taut if there’s just enough room to sneak a couple of fingers between the swaddle and your baby’s shoulders. This is very important for cozy and safe sleep, because if a loose swaddle blanket comes unwrapped, it could cover Baby's face and increase the risk of suffocation.

If Your Baby Doesn’t Like the Swaddle…Swaddle With Straight Arms

It’s true that during the last month or two of pregnancy, a baby’s arms are always bent. Perhaps because of this, some experts insist that infants should be swaddled with their hands high up, which they say allows babies to can suck their fingers. But swaddling your baby with bent arms is usually a disaster! (Plus, within two weeks of birth, Baby’s arms naturally relax, becoming straighter during calm times and sleep.) Swaddling with bent arms not only allows their little hands to wiggle out, which makes babies cry more…this practice also makes it easy for the whole swaddle to unravel. And an unraveled swaddle makes it easy for your baby to fight the swaddle, it keeps them awake, and it’s very dangerous. The exception to the rule: Preemies can be wrapped with bent arms…until they get close to their due date.

If Your Baby Doesn’t Like the Swaddle…Make a V With The Swaddle

When a swaddle blanket touches the cheek of a hungry baby…watch out! The sensation fools your little one into thinking it’s the breast or bottle. This can set off the rooting reflex and cause them to cry with frustration when they can’t find the nipple. (The rooting reflex is when Baby turns their head and opens their mouth as a reaction to something touching their cheek. This helps your bub find the breast or bottle to feed.) To avoid this frustration, make the swaddle look like a V-neck sweater. (Here’s a refresher on how to do that.)

If Your Baby Doesn’t Like the Swaddle…Look for a Different Size Blanket

Too-small or too-big swaddle blankets tend to pop open and unravel easily. To avoid this, use a lightweight blanket that’s big enough to wrap all around your baby’s body—at least 44 inches square. Happiest Baby’s organic, breathable, muslin swaddle blanket is a perfect 47-inch square.

If Your Baby Doesn’t Like the Swaddle…They May Be Hot

As a grownup, you can easily kick off your blanket or get up to turn on a fan if you get too hot overnight. Babies can’t! So, a hot baby may try to wiggle out of their swaddle to get some cooling relief. (Learn more signs that your baby might be overheating.) To prevent this from happening, keep your baby’s room between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit (20 to 22. 2 degrees Celsius). And swaddle your baby in a lightweight muslin blanket or my organic cotton Sleepea swaddle that features breathable mesh panels at the shoulders and legs to keep babies cool and comfortable.

If Your Baby Doesn’t Like the Swaddle…Try Sleepea

Sometimes dealing with a swaddle in the middle of the night is hard! That’s why I created Sleepea, our award-winning 100% organic cotton swaddle that takes all the guesswork out of swaddling. Its inner flaps are designed to keep mini escape artists securely wrapped, preventing wild arm movements and nose whacks that can wake a baby up. Sleepea is made from super-soft, all-seasons 100% organic cotton and it allows for safe arms-out swaddling, making it the perfect transitional swaddle for little ones who are almost ready to say goodbye to their swaddling days.

If Your Baby Doesn’t Like the Swaddle…Keep Trying!

It sure can seem like some babies hate swaddling! They may fight and strain as soon as they’re enveloped. But remember, in the womb, babies are perfectly content…yet they have no freedom to move. If your little one struggles with a safe and snug swaddle, be sure to include the rest of the 5 S’s to your night-night routine, too: Shushing (white noise), Swinging, Sucking, and holding baby in the Side or Stomach position. All of these work to activate your baby’s innate calming reflex, which is like nature’s “on switch” for sleep and “off switch” for crying. Using them soothes babies quickly and helps them stay calm longer, and sleep better. (My award-winning SNOO Smart Sleeper taps three of the 5 S’s: Secure swaddling, which keeps Baby safely on the back for up to 6 months; shushing with all-night responsive white noise; and swinging thanks to SNOO’s safe rocking.)

If Your Baby Can Roll…Stop Swaddling!

For your baby’s safety, it’s imperative that you stop swaddling when your little one starts to roll. This can happen as early as 2 months! The reason: You baby may roll onto their belly, but not be able to roll back if their arms aren’t free, which increases the likelihood of suffocation and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). That said, swaddling can actually help prevent rolling to the stomach (a SIDS risk factor), so you don't want to stop prematurely. The good news: Babies who sleep in SNOO can remain safely swaddled until they graduate out of SNOO and into a crib. That’s because SNOO’s built-in swaddle attaches to SNOO to keep babies sleeping on their backs.

More on swaddling

Is Swaddling Safe?
Should I Swaddle Before or After Breastfeeding?
Help! Swaddling My Baby Goes Against My Gut
Benefits of Swaddling

About Dr. Harvey Karp

Dr. Harvey Karp, one of America’s most trusted pediatricians, is the founder of Happiest Baby and the inventor of the groundbreaking SNOO Smart Sleeper. After years of treating patients in Los Angeles, Dr. Karp vaulted to global prominence with the release of the bestselling Happiest Baby on the Block and Happiest Toddler on the Block. His celebrated books and videos have since become standard pediatric practice, translated into more than 20 languages and have helped millions of parents. Dr. Karp’s landmark methods, including the 5 S’s for soothing babies, guide parents to understand and nurture their children and relieve stressful issues, like new-parent exhaustion, infant crying, and toddler tantrums.

View more posts tagged, swaddling

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Disclaimer: The information on our site is NOT medical advice for any specific person or condition. It is only meant as general information. If you have any medical questions and concerns about your child or yourself, please contact your health provider.

If everything is correct, the baby sleeps well: how to swaddle a baby

Types of swaddling

There are several types of swaddling: tight, loose and wide. In all cases, diapers should be chosen from natural fabrics.

Anna Alekseevna Pchelintseva, a pediatrician at the K+31 West clinic, told Gazeta.Ru about the pros and cons of different methods of swaddling.

• Firm . This is a traditional type of swaddling, which was used by our great-grandmothers.

The specialist speaks of this method as follows: “In this case, the diaper fits very tightly to the baby’s body, fixes the arms and legs in a stationary state, the baby is deprived of any movement. But this method is not physiological, it can interfere with the normal physical development of the newborn, and also increases the risk of respiratory and circulatory disorders.”

• Free . This method has two options: loose swaddling with arms and legs and free swaddling without hands.

Dr. Pchelintseva explains how loose swaddling differs from tight swaddling: “The baby still has the ability to move. Taking into account the fact that physiological hypertonicity is observed in children during the first months of life, it is recommended not to stretch the arms along the body, but to cross them on the chest. In the second option (without arms), only the legs are swaddled, the fixation is loose.

• Wide . This method is used in the pathology of the hip joint.

The pediatrician clarifies that with such swaddling, the baby’s legs are fixed in the “frog” position. To do this, it is necessary to put a small pillow or a roll of diapers between the legs, hands can not be fixed.

Swaddling a baby is not too difficult. A pediatrician at the K + 31 West clinic shared with young parents a brief instruction on the free type of swaddling.

Free swaddling technique with arms and legs . Lay the diaper on a flat, firm surface, tucking the top of the diaper slightly inwards. Place the baby on the diaper so that its upper edge is at the level of the lower part of the back of the head. We cross the arms on the chest. We take the left corner of the diaper and put it under the back of the baby. We fix it loosely so that the child has the opportunity to move. We do the same with the right corner of the diaper. We take the lower free corners of the diaper and put it on the baby's legs. We take the right edge of the diaper and wind it back, then the left one and bend the corner - we fix the diaper. There must be enough space for the child to straighten his legs .

It is important to remember that under no circumstances should a child be left unattended on the changing table!

What are the advantages of swaddling

Supporters of swaddling point out several advantages of using diapers and undershirts made of natural fabrics.

Among them is the ability to maintain the optimal temperature for the child's body, as the natural fabric cover creates a warm and cozy cocoon. In favor of swaddling, it is worth noting that it helps the newborn sleep better. The fact is that in the first months of life, babies are not able to control their movements, so they can move their arms and legs, which is why they wake up. Swaddling a baby does not allow him to make unnecessary movements.

In addition, for many parents, diapers and undershirts are also economical children's clothing.

Swaddle a newborn baby or not? As Dr. Pchelintseva notes, this is the choice of parents. But sometimes there is a need for wide swaddling: it contributes to the normal formation of the hip joint.

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Is it true that swaddling helps with hip dysplasia

In favor of swaddling, many parents recall its ability to have a beneficial effect on the musculoskeletal system. Is wide swaddling really used for hip dysplasia?

Nikolai Petrovich Batsalenko, pediatric traumatologist-orthopedist, candidate of medical sciences, specialist of JSC "Medicine" (Academician Roitberg's clinic) told Gazeta.Ru about this:

depression, thus stimulating the formation of ossification nuclei. This applies to the immaturity of the hip joint, which lies under the brand name of dysplasia. But dysplasia is still a separate diagnosis. Now various types of diapers are successfully replacing wide swaddling, because the baby's legs are bred. Swaddling can be used as an additional measure, but this is quite an outdated method, few people use it.

Dr. Batsalenko emphasized that exactly the same effect can be obtained when using slings: “A woman wraps herself in a sling (a strip of fabric with which the baby is attached to the mother’s body) and threads the free end of the fabric through the rings. The child is placed in a fabric pocket formed on the mother's chest. Such a model provides reliable fixation of the baby in a physiological position: horizontal or vertical. The effect of slings is almost the same: the head of the femur presses on the acetabulum, stimulating the formation of ossification nuclei.”

Why swaddle a baby at night?

As mentioned above, involuntary movements of the baby's arms and legs can wake him up during sleep.

Anna Alekseevna Pchelintseva, pediatrician at the K + 31 Zapad clinic, explains this feature from a scientific point of view: “The Moro reflex is a physiological reflex when, in response to irritation, the arms are abducted to the sides and the hands are unclenched, after which the hands return to their original position . The reflex can occur during the falling asleep phase and will easily wake the child up.

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Therefore, the baby's tendency to move its arms and legs should not scare you - it's natural. The way out is to swaddle a newborn baby at night.

Until what age should a baby be swaddled? The pediatrician replies that this reflex fades by 3-4 months , therefore, in the first months of life, it is preferable to use swaddling with arms and legs. But during wakefulness, the child should not be in a diaper or a vest with closed handles, otherwise he will not be able to explore the world with the help of touch.

How to swaddle a baby tightly?

As Anna Pchelintseva explains, too tight swaddling of a baby can lead to problems with children's health: “Circulation and breathing may worsen, movement in the hip joint is limited, which can play a role in the development of dysplasia.”

How do you know if your baby is swaddled correctly?

• If the swaddle is too tight, the baby's skin color may change and cause anxiety.

• If everything is correct, the child sleeps peacefully.

• If swaddling is too loose, the baby may become unswaddled.

At what age can you stop swaddling your baby?

Many parents are interested in: until what age should a child be swaddled?

The pediatrician at the K+31 West clinic answers that the duration of swaddling is individual. But in general up to 3 months it is preferable to use swaddling with arms and legs, and then, if necessary (if the child is woken up by the movements of the arms and legs at night), switch to a free type of swaddling without hands. At the same time, the doctor emphasizes that today there are devices for children that can serve as an alternative to swaddling, for example, cocoon diapers.

At the age of 3 to 5 months, babies make their first attempts to crawl . During this period, comfortable clothing made from natural fabrics will be the best option for a child. Swaddling a baby while awake is highly undesirable.

Step by step newborn swaddling. How to swaddle a newborn in a diaper - methods and recommendations

1. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW

Recently, many young parents refuse to to swaddle a new born baby. How justified is such a decision and does a newborn baby need swaddling in the first month of life?

You will find answers to these questions in this article, as well as learn how to properly swaddle a newborn baby and what methods of swaddling will not harm the physical development of the crumbs.

According to the results of numerous studies, the baby in the first weeks of life feels constant discomfort, adapting to new environmental conditions after a comfortable stay in the mother's womb.

It has been proven that newborn babies feel more comfortable and more secure when swaddled properly. After the procedure, the baby takes the usual intrauterine position, thanks to which he sleeps better and is less likely to be naughty.

In addition, the baby will be better protected from the reflex tossing of arms and legs. Their own sudden movements frighten the baby and can interrupt sleep.

It is useful for parents to know how to swaddle a newborn. Now many refuse this procedure, believing that it prevents the child from developing normally. But sometimes this skill can come in handy. For example, to ensure a good rest. Then you have to abandon modern views on education and try the ways of your grandmothers.

Advantages and disadvantages of swaddling

Whether or not a baby should be swaddled is up to the parents to decide. Except when the doctor makes recommendations. For example, if a specialist doubts that the hip joints are developing correctly, he may prescribe a wide loose swaddle. In other cases, you have to weigh the pros and cons on your own.

The main reason swaddling is still used today is that it is often the only way to help mother and baby get enough sleep. After all, as you know, the baby is characterized by involuntary movements of the arms and legs, because of which he wakes up. To prevent the newborn from waking himself up, tight swaddling is used when both the arms and legs do not have freedom of action.

In addition, in such a cocoon, the child is comfortable and calm. For that alone, it's worth wrapping it up. After all, he spent many months in the mother's belly, that is, in a limited space. Especially in recent weeks, when he got too big to move around. Therefore, in a cramped place, he is very comfortable.

But this technique has its drawbacks. Due to the impossibility of free movements, the baby may be slightly behind in development. Too tight swaddling leads to circulatory disorders in children. And in hot weather, overheating is possible, because the baby still has problems with thermoregulation.

Swaddling methods

If parents nevertheless decide that swaddling is necessary for a child, then they should know all the ways.

Full tight. The baby is not just wrapped in fabric, but practically with his head - it is covered by the folded edge of the diaper. Suitable to calm an overexcited baby.
Simple. The body of the child is tightly wrapped in cloth, but the neck and head remain free.
Free. This technique is used when only the lower part of the body, including the legs, is wrapped in children. The handles remain free.

When deciding whether swaddling is necessary, parents usually weigh the pros and cons. One of the reasons why they may refuse this procedure is that many people find it difficult. In fact, learning is not difficult, you just need to remember the algorithm of actions and practice a little. Most likely, a nurse will show you how to swaddle properly in the hospital. Even if this does not happen, it will be possible to succeed on your own. This science is available to both mom and dad, who can also be trusted to wrap children in cloth. So that nothing distracts from the process, it is important to prepare everything in advance - one or two diapers (depending on the season), undershirts, a diaper, and, if necessary, powder. It is important to always remember about the safety of the baby: it should not be left unattended on the changing table even for a minute.

Baby swaddling tight

Tight swaddling of children is not used as often as it used to be. Some doctors do not advise him, since the baby’s posture turns out to be unnatural, blood circulation is disturbed, and body temperature may rise. But still, sometimes it is useful: a similar technique helps to calm a hyperactive child. Therefore, it is worth knowing the algorithm of the method.

If the room is warm, one thin diaper is sufficient. In the cold season, it is better to wrap the baby in two, one of which will be tight. Before the procedure, you need to make sure that the baby is clean, if necessary, it must be washed and allowed to dry. Now you can wear it. Traditionally, a wrap-around vest is used on the chest or back, or even two. You should also wear a diaper. If mom refused disposable diapers, then you can make gauze ones. They are unlikely to completely absorb the discharge, but they will simplify the care of the baby.

After preparing the baby, it's time to figure out how to swaddle your newborn. The fabric must be carefully straightened, and the child should be placed in the center so that the fabric ends at the level of the neck. Then the handle of the crumbs should be pressed against the body - there is no need to forcibly align it - and the edge of the diaper on this side should be tucked obliquely under the baby. Do the same with the second hand and the edge. There should be no wrinkles.

Raise the bottom edge and flatten it into a trapezoid shape. The baby is covered with it, while it should be free enough to cover the child up to the chest or neck. The free end is wrapped around the crumbs and fixed on the tummy. Usually it is simply rolled up, as the use of pins can be unsafe.

Tight swaddling with two diapers

How to properly swaddle a newborn in two diapers? There is a simple technique. The lower diaper is thinner, it replaces the undershirt. The upper one, made of dense material, secures the first one and prevents the child from getting too cold, which is especially valuable in winter. The scheme is quite simple, it only takes a little practice to remember it. You can practice even before the baby appears on a large doll.

Start by laying out both diapers. Thin should be located a few centimeters below the dense (outer). The baby is placed so that the upper part of the canvas ends approximately in the region of his neck. First, the baby is wrapped in an inner diaper. To do this, the upper right corner is brought under the back of the crumbs at the level of the armpits. The lower right is divided by the legs of the baby. This will help prevent chafing on delicate skin, as they won't touch. Then, in mirror image, repeat the procedure for the left side. The remaining part below is collected in a soft lump and placed between the legs.

Then you need to wrap the crumb in the top sheet. The right end is brought under the left arm and further under the back. Do the same for the left edge. The lower part must be straightened and the legs covered, laying an angle under the edge of the diaper.

Envelope swaddling

Swaddling with an envelope is also possible, when a kind of hood is formed that covers the baby's head. Most often, this is done with a blanket when discharged or just for walking. It is worth knowing how to swaddle a newborn in this case.

The baby, already dressed or wrapped in a thin diaper, is laid out on a blanket obliquely. Then the left end is lifted, a fold is made on it, the upper part of which covers the neck, and the lower part reaches approximately to the navel. This design is brought under the back. After that, the lower part is tucked onto the legs, the free edge should fall under the crease.

If swaddling still seems difficult, then you can try the special Swaddleme diaper. Special fasteners greatly simplify the task.

Now fold the right side tightly under the backrest. The top edge also needs to be laid out with a fold. This will give support for a weak neck. In addition, the blanket will not fall on the face. The resulting envelope is tied with a ribbon.

Free swaddling features

More often than traditional swaddling is now used. The main difference from other types is that the handles remain free. The technique is the same as with tight.

Spread the diaper on a flat surface.
They put the baby on it. Only the top edge should not reach the neck, it ends under the armpits.
Wrap one end obliquely around the baby.
Repeat the same with the second edge, passing the free part through the back.
Then cover the bottom of the baby and fix the ends.

The result is a kind of bag in which the baby is comfortable. At the same time, nothing prevents the handles from moving freely, so that the baby touches the world and develops. You can also try Australian free swaddling. This technique makes it possible to swaddle a baby with handles, only they are not pressed tightly against the body, they remain near the face.

If a baby has problems with the hip joints, doctors often recommend combining loose swaddling with wide swaddling. The peculiarity of this method is that the legs are bent and slightly moved apart to the sides, in this position they are fixed. This is a natural pose that the child takes on his own in an undressed state. The handles will remain free, so that the baby can easily move them, and the legs will be in the correct position.

It is up to the parents to decide whether classic or loose swaddling is necessary. But it is not worth abandoning it completely, considering it obsolete. It is possible that this method will help to improve the sleep of the baby. You can learn it at any time. You just have to purchase a sufficient number of diapers, because they will be actively spent.

Good afternoon, my dear readers! Do you know how to swaddle a newborn in a diaper? Probably, in the era of little men and bodysuits, we are less and less reminiscent of outdated diapers and vests. About what is better - to swaddle in swaddling clothes or to dress a newborn in loose clothes, we will talk today.

Whether it is necessary to swaddle a newborn in diapers, it is up to each mother to decide individually. You still have to wear it anyway. Swaddling refers to swaddling with diapers. Dressing crawlers and little men with a blanket is no longer swaddling. If you use reusable cotton diapers, then dressing them is also called swaddling, but already swaddling purely diapers.

Let's look at what diapers exist:

Tight swaddling;
Loose swaddling;
Wide swaddling;
Swaddling in a sleeping bag.

Opinions on whether or not to swaddle a newborn in diapers are divided not only among mothers, but also among pediatricians.

Some consider it necessary, others consider it a relic of the Soviet past. In any case, if we swaddle a newborn, then only in the first 2-3 weeks of life (longer - less often).

This is due to the fact that a newborn, accustomed to the cramped and comfortable mother's tummy, finds himself in a cold and huge world. It makes him feel scared and uncomfortable. To help your baby adjust to a new life, you need to try to provide him with conditions that will resemble his previous cozy nest. Swaddling in warm diapers and blankets makes the newborn feel warm and protected. So he adapts to the world around him faster.

2. Tight swaddling

Tight swaddling was used in maternity hospitals during the Soviet era. It was believed that in this way the baby would not wake himself up with his hands, would not get scratched, and it would be easier for the medical staff to deal with him. This is now considered obsolete. It has already been abandoned in favor of free swaddling.

Still, I will show the algorithm of actions such swaddling in pictures. You may find it useful:

Here you can see that the newborn is swaddled with handles, and the head is left open. The tension of the diaper itself can be different.

Dear mothers, if you decide to swaddle your baby in a column, that is, tight swaddling, try not to do it too “tight”, the blood should circulate freely in the baby's veins, and not stagnate.

In general, I want to say that the meaning of such swaddling itself is that the legs are fixed.

The downside of this method is that it is possible to pinch the baby's fragile body in such a way that it will subsequently provoke physical injury, displacement or damage to the hip joint. And you can get psychological discomfort.

In addition to the shown method of tight swaddling, there is also swaddling with a head, that is, the corner of the diaper is located above the level of the head, in order to get the baby in the envelope at the end. With a head swaddled in a blanket or a warm diaper, going outside in the cool season. The ends of the diaper or blanket are fastened with a pin, or simply tucked up and fixed with tape.

3. Loose swaddling

Free swaddling does not provide for a clear fixation of the legs, on the contrary, the legs under the diaper are in motion.

At the same time, first they put on the baby's undershirt, and then they swaddle the legs. The diaper is wrapped at chest level, under the handles. This is free swaddling of the legs. The baby can move them, while remaining warm.

Plus of such swaddling is that you can save on sliders, from which newborns grow so quickly.

Minus is that in a month the child will already be kicking his legs so much that he will take off these diapers and freeze if his mother is not around. On how to swaddle a baby correctly and safely, you can find a video from the Internet.

4. Sleeping bag

Free swaddling also available with handles. Fortunately, progress does not stand still and the masses have launched the production of special diapers - sleeping bags. Such bags completely cover the child, giving him a feeling of comfort and warmth in a limited space, like that of a mother in her stomach.

Meanwhile, the child has the ability to move, nothing is pinched in him, and he will not be able to open up. Such diaper bags are elastic, the baby can toss and turn and not experience stiffness:

With a sleeping bag, a mother, especially an inexperienced one, will not have to think about how to properly swaddle a newborn, and moreover, so as not to disturb anything.

5. Wide swaddling

Dear mothers, once again I want to remind you that it is up to you how to swaddle your baby, but it must be a safe way.

If swaddled incorrectly, the baby may get dislocated, or joints with bones will not grow properly. Then there will be a high probability of getting hip dysplasia.

If the doctor has already diagnosed a newborn with dysplasia, special medical fixators and wide swaddling will help. That is, in addition to swaddling in a free style, you need to lay a diaper folded several times or a special pillow between the baby's legs. In this method, the legs are fixed in a divorced position.

6. Refusal to swaddle

Many young mothers who live in today's world and cannot tolerate any outdated methods of caring for a child are abandoning swaddling in favor of baby clothes for newborns.

Why, they think, hamper the baby's movements and bother with winding these diapers? Without a doubt, rompers, bodysuits and little men for newborns are more convenient for moms to use.

But we must not forget about the natural need of a newborn for shelter, for the comfort that he feels wrapped in a blanket, curled up in warmth. This helps him to painlessly move from the small world of his mother's tummy to the big world.

The baby in the first weeks of his life should sleep in a confined space. That is, it is better to sleep in a small bed, a cradle, and not on a large bed if there is no mother nearby. Even dressed in a comfortable man, the baby will also be more comfortable wrapping himself in a blanket in winter or a diaper in summer. Let and just take cover, and not drag on. So he's more comfortable.

The well-known doctor Komarovsky also does not agitate modern mothers strictly for swaddling, but he does not dissuade them from it either. It is also necessary to take into account the individual characteristics of the development of a particular child, and this will already help to establish a pediatrician, he believes:

I want to summarize. Dear mothers and grandmothers! If you want to swaddle your baby, then do so following the instructions of the nursing staff and my recommendations. Then the child will not be threatened with dislocation or stress.

If you don't want to swaddle him, then please create a comfortable transition for your baby into the big world. Then you may need sleeping bags or diapers that cover the baby's body and are fastened with clasps.

In any case, diapers should not only be clean and soft, but also ironed before swaddling, so that the baby feels warm. I hope my tips are helpful to you. If you liked the article, share the material on social networks and do not forget to subscribe to updates. See you soon!

Elena Zhabinskaya

A new mother faces many challenges immediately after the birth of a child, and child care is no exception. Questions are caused by many things, one of which is swaddling. The older generation explains its necessity by the physiological need of the crumbs, but is it really so?

In any case, after their advice, a woman begins to wonder how to swaddle a newborn in pictures step by step. The answer to it is obvious: there are several methods and techniques that are actually not difficult to master. It is worth learning about them at least in order to subsequently properly wrap the baby in a blanket before walking. But first things first.

People joke that swaddling is an ancient art accessible to everyone. Interestingly, not only our mothers and grandmothers figured out how to swaddle a newborn baby, but also their parents.

In ancient times, it was believed that such activities protect children from the effects of dark forces. It’s just that the involuntary movements of the limbs of newborns are nothing more than the result of the influence of evil spirits on children. Therefore, if they are swaddled tighter, they will not attract the attention of otherworldly forces.

Over time, the opinion on this matter has changed. In the last century, the idea has successfully taken root that if you swaddle a child at night, he will sleep soundly. Firstly, because those very involuntary movements of the limbs will not wake him up. And, secondly, because in this way he will be able to feel calm and peaceful, as in his mother's tummy, where it was just as crowded.

Looking back at all these rules and principles today, one involuntarily becomes convinced that no matter what goals swaddling pursues, in fact it justifies the shortage of clothes for babies, which was felt in Soviet times. Therefore, the answer to the question of whether to swaddle a newborn baby today is: no, if you can afford it. Simply because it is a relic of the past, and any non-compliance with the rules in this matter is fraught with serious health problems for the crumbs.

Types of swaddling

In the young years of our great-grandmothers, only one swaddling was popular - tight swaddling. This is when, with the help of a sling, the children were wrapped up together with their arms and legs, literally preventing them from moving. There was no question of any freedom for them then. This type of swaddling went down in history under other names: classic, simple, column, soldier.

For a long time they were the only ones used, because there were no clothes for children then, as well as disposable diapers. Therefore, they were wrapped in diapers even in the maternity hospital and used until the baby reached 6-8 months of age, when he himself could already sit on his own. Moreover, it was very convenient for nurses, because the children then lay separately from their mothers and could demand attention, but thanks to the tight swaddling, they simply slept peacefully.

By the way, some maternity hospitals don't allow you to bring your baby's clothes from home, offering to use local diapers. Let's leave open the question of whether hospitals have the right to tell you what to dress your own child in. In this case, I recommend that in order not to waste unnecessary nerves, find out in advance how to properly swaddle a newborn in the hospital. We will discuss the most gentle ways below.

Tight swaddling is dangerous

If you are still in doubt about whether or not to swaddle your baby, you should definitely read this section. So, tight swaddling. It immobilizes the baby, depriving it of the ability to move its limbs. On the one hand, this situation promises a good night, and on the other hand, it is fraught with serious health problems.

Judge for yourself: in Japan before 1975, a huge number of cases of hip dysplasia were recorded. After the situation has changed. What caused it? Hitherto conservative views on tight swaddling have been rejected, as well as itself. Not the last role in this was played by doctors and the media, after which the disease receded.

But this is far from the worst. Tight thoughtless wrapping of a child:

Looking back at all of the above, one involuntarily asks the question: why swaddle a child? Moreover, not only pediatricians are against this, but also psychologists. They say that such restraint of movements brings up a submissive, ready to obey personality, whose character will be dominated by passivity and a desire to feel like a victim. Do you want this for your child?

Permissible swaddling methods

If, due to lack of finances or the opportunity to purchase comfortable and loose clothes for a baby, a young mother decides to swaddle, she needs to study the features of this process so as not to harm. Below we will look at how to swaddle a newborn in pictures step by step.

Closed swaddling.

Open.

Wide.

It deserves attention, as it allows the baby to take the usual physiological pose - "frogs", when the legs are bent at the knees and spread out to the sides.

How to properly swaddle a newborn with a “frog” - the swaddle is placed in a triangle, in the center of which the baby is placed.

One corner is wound between the legs, and the other two - it is wrapped around the waist.

"Diaper".

Wrap the free ends of the triangle around his waist. In this case, it does not matter whether a boy or a girl is swaddled - the execution technique is the same for babies of both sexes.

Envelope.

For those families from the outback who do not have free access not only to diapers, but also to children's clothing for the cold season, there is a way out of a difficult situation - it is enough to learn how to properly swaddle a newborn in a blanket for a walk on the street. We will help you with this by providing the whole process in pictures with photos step by step.

In the cold season, two are taken: thick and thin. The dressed child is placed on the last and wrapped up according to the principle of closed swaddling with the head. Then they are transferred to an unfolded thick blanket.

The bottom side covers the baby's legs, and the sides wrap the child himself. It is tied with a ribbon at the waist. Needless to say, the fourth upper corner serves as a kind of hood for the envelope. You can see this in more detail on the video, as well as a little sympathy for the baby, who is clearly unhappy with everything that is happening.

Swaddling with head. The same warming way how to properly swaddle a newborn with his head. To implement it, the diaper is spread out, and the child is laid across, making sure that his head is below the top edge. Then the free edge is wrapped around the little one, leading by the hand behind the second side. A similar manipulation is carried out with the free edge on the other side. In general, the technique resembles closed swaddling.

It is worth noting that it is important to understand not only how to properly swaddle a child, but also what diapers to use for this. In the warm season, you need to choose light, and in the cold - insulated.

Is it possible to swaddle in the heat

It is strictly forbidden to swaddle a baby in hot weather. This can lead to overheating and even dehydration. At temperatures up to 25 degrees Celsius, you can choose light cotton diapers. At temperatures above 25 degrees, the baby should be in one diaper, and above 28 degrees - without it at all.

If the child has a congenital muscle tone, it is not possible to swaddle him in the summer for health reasons. Swaddling is also not recommended for colic, as it only aggravates the situation. In this case, it is worth alleviating the condition of the child by simply laying him on his stomach or taking him in his arms with his tummy towards him.

Up to what age

For many mothers, the question of how many months to swaddle a baby remains open. According to doctors, it is reasonable to do this up to 3 months, later the risk of inhibition of development increases, because stiffness prevents the muscles from strengthening, and the child himself to explore the world.

Some pediatricians, when asked until what age to swaddle, give a figure of 6 months, that is, the time when the baby learns to crawl, walk, sit.

Is it necessary to swaddle

Grandmothers will convince you that yes. They will give a lot of arguments in their favor, which for the most part will not have scientific confirmation. There is an opinion that tight swaddling allows the child to "get" beautiful, even long legs. Do you know what the paradox is? The fact is that these processes are not interconnected in any way. Moreover, such contraction and constraint of movements is fraught with the development of hip dysplasia, hip dislocation and serious problems with internal organs.

It doesn't matter how many months you swaddle your baby. Like it or not, diapers are harmful. The only case when their use can be justified is the inability to purchase ordinary children's clothing. Needless to say, then one should competently approach the choice of the diapers themselves (take only those that are sewn from natural materials, not synthetics and only according to the weather), as well as the techniques of swaddling itself.

No matter how good your intentions, the child should be given a chance to move.

It is much more reasonable, in my opinion, to find inexpensive high-quality clothes for the baby in the largest Russian online store MyToys . I assure you, this will not hit your wallet, because the crumbs do not need a lot of clothes - it practically does not get dirty (provided that disposable diapers are used, of course) and grows quickly. Therefore, 4-5 T-shirts and 3-4 cotton overalls for a cool room are enough!

Recently there has been a lot of controversy, even among doctors, how to swaddle a newborn in the maternity hospital. Experienced mothers try not to abandon this procedure in the first months, choosing one of the techniques they like.

In a maternity hospital

In a modern maternity hospital, a baby is in the same room with his mother, she will feed him, wash him, change his clothes. If this is not the first baby in the family, then the mother will cope without problems by wrapping her baby like a doll.

Are newborn babies swaddled in the maternity hospital now? In modern maternity hospitals, they try to adhere to the old traditions, and the baby that has just been born is wrapped up. Proceed in this case from the standpoint of psychological. It is this approach that provides a sense of security that the child felt even in the womb. Therefore, midwives already in the delivery room teach young mothers several methods of wrapping.

Swaddling methods:

tight - with straight arms and legs;
free - with open arms and able to move legs;
wide - with legs spread at 60°.

How to swaddle a newborn baby in the hospital? Initially, wrapping is carried out at birth, using the method of tight fixation of the limbs. This is a good opportunity to quickly soothe the baby. This procedure is carried out first by a midwife.

In the future, when the baby is transferred to her mother's ward, she will have to master the procedure, having studied several techniques at once (for the future).

How to swaddle a baby at home, each mother will determine for herself. Perhaps she will use the tight method for the night, and during the day she will carry out free wrapping. If the room is warm, then he will also use the wide method, which the little one will like, as this is a more natural pose.

Stages

Procedure in the maternity hospital:

after carefully laying out the sheet on the table, the baby is placed in its middle so that the neck touches the edge of this sheet;
we apply the straightened left handle to the body, grab the lateral edge and wrap it tightly around the body (obliquely), bringing the end under the back on the right;
we do the same with the right hand and the side end of the fabric;
the bottom edge is a bit like a fishtail. It is tucked up on the body. In this case, the legs must be connected and straightened;
wrapping the body tightly with the lower ends of the sheet, they are fixed either with a safety pin, or a bow is used.

The "envelope" method with the head is carried out in the same way, only the fabric is laid diagonally so that the upper corner further covers the baby's face. The lower corner is laid on the legs and stomach, and the body is wrapped around the sides.

What the child is swaddled in when discharged from the maternity hospital depends on the season: a blanket or a light envelope. If mom is an ardent supporter of sliders, you can use them, but you need to master the described technique. Swaddling helps to calm the naughty baby.

Special methods

For the first month it is better to use two diapers. First, the baby is wrapped in one, then in the second. Thus, he finds himself hidden in a dense cocoon that holds his movements.

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