Safety

When it comes to your baby, you want to know every safety detail about the products you choose and methods you use. So the big question is.. to swaddle, or not to swaddle? We vote yes!

You may have the initial concern that swaddling will restrict your baby’s movement. As long as the blanket is not too tight or covering the baby’s face, they will be very comfortable. Swaddling feels natural for infants since it reminds them of being in a mother’s womb.

To make swaddling a little easier, here are some Do’s and Don’t’s from OnlyMyHealth.com:

Do

1. For swaddling, just dress your baby in a cotton made short-sleeved bodysuit. Thick and heavy clothing may make it too warm for the baby. Also, use a light-weight cotton sheet slightly larger than baby’s body.
2. Some babies seem more comfortable with their arms free. In this case, swaddle your baby only under its arms. Some babies comfort themselves by sucking their fingers or thumbs. Swaddling under the arms allow a baby to learn self-soothing skills.
3. Once you have swaddled your baby, ensure that your baby can still freely move his legs. Baby’s bottom should be in normal position, flexed and not pressed together.
4. Make sure to place your swaddled baby on his back with his feet at the bottom of the cot. Putting your swaddled baby to sleep on his stomach can be life threatening.
5. If your baby has started kicking the sheet off, it is a sign that now it does not want to be bundled any longer. You can stop wrapping your baby once it turns one month old, as this may interfere with baby’s growth, development and mobility.

Don’t

1. The idea behind swaddling is to make your baby feel secure and safe rather than keeping him warm. Do not wrap him in a thick blanket. A linen sheet may be best when the room is warm. Swaddling the baby in a thick blanket may cause overheating which makes the baby restless and cranky.
2. Don’t cover your baby’s face while swaddling as this can cause difficulty in breathing and may lead to suffocation. Make sure that the sheet is not too loosely wrapped as it may possibly come undone and cover the face of the baby.
3. Too tight a swaddle which makes the baby’s legs straight and compressed together may result in legs’ decreased flexibility and movement, or development of hips dysplasia (abnormal development of hip).
4. Never place a swaddled baby on his stomach. Always place him on his back in bed. If you place a baby on his stomach, he may find breathing in difficult. Being swaddled while sleeping on their stomach increases the chances of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
5. Never swaddle a baby, who is ill or has a fever. This can overheat the baby by further increasing baby’s already elevated body temperature. An overheated baby may fall into a deep sleep and you may find it hard to arouse him.

At Posh, we believe your baby should be swaddled in style and comfort. Check out a few of our organic Petunia Pickle Bottom Swaddling Blankets!

Happy Safe Swaddling!

Tagged as: Baby, infant, petunia pickle bottom, poshtots, swaddle, swaddling, swaddling blanket

{ 0 comments }