Should you swaddle your baby?
This decision is up to you and your baby. Some babies love to be swaddled, while other will fuss more when they feel confined. As your baby gets older, they will outgrow the need or desire to be swaddled. As babies get older, they like to stretch out or move into different positions as they sleep.
How to swaddle a newborn baby: your easy guide
The following is a step-by-step guide for swaddling a baby.
Step 1
Take a thin, soft blanket and fold it in half, corner to corner, to form a triangle. Cotton receiving blankets are great for this.
Step 2
Place your baby on the blanket with the long side at the top of their shoulders and the pointed end at their feet.
Step 3
Fold the top right side of the blanket across your baby's body and tuck the corner point under them near their waist or bottom. Keep their left arm slightly bent and tucked in the blanket at their side.
Step 4
Fold the bottom edge of the blanket up over your baby's feet and chest. Tuck the point into the top of the bundle that you made with the first fold.
Step 5
The last step is to take the other top corner across your baby's chest. Place their arm slightly bent at their side and wrap the remaining blanket behind your baby's body to hold it in place.
Baby swaddling safety tips
When swaddling a baby, always use a lightweight blanket that can be secured snugly enough to give your baby a sense of security. A blanket that is too thick will not fold correctly. Don't swaddle your baby too tightly or cover their face.
