Swaddling

Information about swaddling:

• 

  Swaddling instructions - both arms in
• Swaddling instructions - one arm in
• Weaning your baby off swaddling
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Choosing the right wrap for your baby
• What medical experts say about swaddling

The benefits of swaddling your baby:

• Swaddling enables you to quickly soothe uncontrollable crying from colic.
• Swaddled babies generally sleep an extra hour to two per sleep.
• Swaddled babies stop crying quickly and settle down to sleep easily.
• Swaddled babies often learn to sleep through the night earlier, from as early as six weeks.
• Other settling and sleep techniques, such as rocking, hammocks and pacifiers, are far more effective when combined with swaddling

Why is swaddling so effective?

• Swaddling prevents babies waking themself up (from their startle reflex)
• Swaddling reminds babies of the warm, snug environment they enjoyed for nine months.
• Swaddling gets your baby ready for other calming techniques to work, such as rocking, ssssshing and sucking.

But my baby doesn't like being wrapped!

• If your baby is crying or wriggling, this doesn't usually mean she doesn't like to be swaddled.
• Your newborn baby is used to be wrapped tight inside your womb!
• She may just be protesting that you are likely to be taking too long or aren't doing it firm enough.
• Often by the time a baby is being wrapped she is over-tired, and it is this which is causing the crying.

And if you can't keep their arms and legs contained, then you won't experience the great benefits of swaddling.

How to start swaddling effectively:

• View our Swaddling instructions & choose the right wrap for your baby
• Buy an easy-wrap to keep baby secure.
• Watch Dr Harvey Karp demonstrate effective swaddling and answer questions about why swaddling is so effective.

Need more information?

• To read more information about settling and sleep, please click here