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All About Swaddling Babies

Swaddling in some form has been around since ancient times, although historically it was done rather more vehemently than nowadays! Babies used to be tied into very tight wrappings which made it very difficult for them to move, and did nothing to help their development. Swaddling continued for months - not weeks as nowadays - so children were unable to explore their environment or build up their muscles.

Modern swaddling of babies is completely different. We now use a lightweight swaddling blanket or receiving blanket to carefully and gently wrap very young babies (up to about 4 weeks old with their arms enclosed then another 4-6 weeks with their arms left out of the wrap). Young babies find the swaddling to be very comforting - like a gentle transition from the constant snuggling they received in the womb.

Benefits of Swaddling Babies

A study made in 2005 at the Pediatric Sleep Unit in Brussels compared how well babies slept when swaddled and unswaddled. They found that swaddled babies slept better when they were swaddled, and cried less, but when awake were more alert. They tended to wake more easily to outside stimuli but this is probably due to a general better alertness due to the fact that they are resting better - which is good for overall development. Certainly babies who sleep better are generally happier when awake, and have much more calm parents!

However more recent research has shown that frequent waking actually has a protective effect against SIDS. ISPID provides the following guidelines:

• Parents should be aware of the potential risks of swaddling their infant, particularly of the use of heavy materials for swaddling.
• Infants must NEVER be placed prone (on their stomach) when swaddled.
• Current research suggests that it is safest to swaddle infants from birth and not to change infant care practices by beginning to swaddle their infant at 3 months of age when SIDS risk is greatest.
• Secondary caregivers should be made aware of their infant's usual sleeping environment and practices.

Hip Safe Swaddling?