Why swaddle baby in blanket

And if the fabric used to swaddle a baby comes loose, it can increase the risk of suffocation. Another warning about swaddling comes from a study published in the journal Pediatrics , which found that when swaddled babies were put on their sides or bellies, their risk of SIDS went up a lot.

For those put on their bellies, especially babies more than 6 months old, the risk doubled. This is what I meant before about common sense. Wedges, positioners, special mattresses and specialized sleep surfaces have not been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS, according to the AAP.

Swaddling can increase the chance your baby will overheat, so avoid letting your baby get too hot. The baby could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, and rapid breathing.

Consider using a pacifier for naps and bedtime. Place the crib in an area that is always smoke-free. Babies who are swaddled too tightly may develop a problem with their hips. Straighten her left arm, and wrap the left corner of the blanket over her body and tuck it between her right arm and the right side of her body. Then tuck the right arm down, and fold the right corner of the blanket over her body and under her left side. Make sure her hips can move and that the blanket is not too tight.

Moon explains. Some child care centers may have a policy against swaddling infants in their care. This is because of the increased risks of SIDS or suffocation if the baby rolls over while swaddled, in addition to the other risks of overheating and hip dysplasia.

As a result, some child care centers, and the states where they are located, are implementing more forceful recommendations against swaddling in child care settings. Glassy says. You may be trying to access this site from a secured browser on the server. Please enable scripts and reload this page. Turn on more accessible mode. Turn off more accessible mode. Swaddling can be beneficial for your baby in her early months.

Learn more about this soothing technique used for newborns, and get answers to some of the most frequently asked questions about swaddling, including how to swaddle your baby step by step, what the benefits of swaddling are, and how long you can safely swaddle your baby. Swaddling is a simple technique in which you wrap your baby up in a swaddle blanket in order to soothe him. You might even think of your swaddled little one as a baby burrito! Limiting the startle reflex , which can wake your baby during sleep.

Providing her with a sense of safety and security by mimicking the snug environment of the womb. Helping keep your baby calm, possibly even when your baby has colic. Comforting your baby during something that can be a little uncomfortable, like a vaccination, for example. Spread the blanket out flat on a changing table, bed, or the floor, and fold over one of the corners.

Lay your baby face-up on the blanket positioned with his head at the folded corner.