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One of the most challenging things to do for new moms is to put their newborns to sleep. You will need a lot of practice and experience to know what your baby’s sleep pattern is. Swaddling babies in blankets have been a practice for decades. This helps keep the baby warm and in place while sleeping.
To make sure that your baby grows up fast and healthy, their quality of sleep must be good—swaddling helps with this!
What to Remember When Swaddling a Baby
Many mothers use muslin blankets to wrap their babies to sleep. Swaddling babies is not that hard once you’re used to it. All it takes is a couple of practice tries, and your baby will be all snuggled and comfortable inside the blanket.
Pick the Right Clothes
You can go for anything from warm clothes to just a diaper. It’s a personal preference as most swaddle blankets are breathable and wick moisture to prevent overheating.
If you feel like your baby has too many layers, you can lessen it until your baby feels comfortable.
Just like anything, we usually based it on the current weather. If it was colder, they might be wearing feeties, but if it was hot, it might just be a onesie and socks.
Make Sure the Baby’s Head Has No Cover
Stay away from beanies and hats. This is because babies release heat from the top of their heads and faces. When you keep a hat on them, they could overheat.
Also, consider the weather around you; there’s no need for a hat when your baby is indoors. These head coverings can also be choking hazards.
Never Use Loose Blankets in the Crib
This goes for all babies, not just swaddled ones. Blankets are a suffocation risk and should never be placed with an infant. They could roll over, and this could cause big issues.
We also used a bed wedge to help them be more upright and breathe better too.
Your baby will be perfectly warm if they are swaddled, so there’s no need to worry about that.
Wrap Your Baby in the Correct and Safe Way
It can take practice, but once you have found the technique to wrap your baby, things get easier. Wrapping can help make your baby stay in place. This means he or she doesn’t roll away into something harmful.
Also, make sure that there’s enough room for stretching. Your baby should be able to move their legs and chest beneath the blanket.
One of our sons preferred his arms to be swaddled down while the other preferred his arms to be free. Over time you will learn what your little one likes.
Lightweight cotton blankets are the best option. Make sure the wraps aren’t too tight around the baby. Let your baby breathe and do not cover his or her head, chin, or ears. You can wrap your baby from birth until they can roll unto their tummies. Sweet dreams!
Krystle Cook – the creator of Home Jobs by MOM – put her psychology degree on a shelf and dived into a pile of diapers and dishes instead. She is a wife and mother to two rambunctious boys, sweating it out in her Texas hometown. She loves cooking, DIY home projects, and family fun activities.
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I remember swaddling as the thing that helped me the most! I was following Susan Urban’s sleep training guide. And she was talking a lot about routine and swaddling. At first, I wanted a sack but I decided to trust her and it was a good call! My mamy loves it tight!
We used a combination of receiving blankets and swaddle sacks with our kiddos