Swaddling Your Newborn Baby

In a sleep-deprived and vicodin-induced haze, the last thing I felt like learning to do was swaddling my newborn son in our hospital room several hours after seventeen hours of labor. Luckily in those woozy hours, a savior arrived in the form of my no-nonsense pediatrician. He double-swaddled my son and handed me a tiny, peaceful, content burrito.

Not only was the floppy, alien-like quiet and calm—he sturdy and safe and much easier to hold and pass around. (As any new parent knows, handing a newborn around is like a high-stakes version of an egg toss. Stressful.)

These days, I cannot advise new parents enough to practice swaddling before the arrival of their child or children. Swaddling is good for your sanity, and great for your baby's safety. Pediatricians recommend the practice until infants are big enough to consistently squirm their way out of their trappings. (You'll know, babies have a keen way of letting you know that they're highly uncomfortable—and it's right about then that swaddling ceases to be safe and a blanket becomes more of a hazard in the crib.)

Swaddling helps quell an infant's startle reflex, and the gentle embrace keeps them feeling secure in their big new world. What does this mean for you? Less crying, less fussing, and more sleep. And let's face it—within days of the arrival of your bundle of joy, you'll be willing to sell major limbs for a few hours of sleep.

Remember to think big and stretchy if you're swaddling with a receiving blanket. Waffle-style fabric works great—it has just enough give to ensure a tight but gentle swaddle. For those—like myself—who can barely wrap a birthday gift, modern society now offers a variety of swaddling devices involving stitched on instructions, special shapes, and even Velcro.

(I must admit, Velcro-ing my son into submission felt a little inhumane until I saw how much happier he was when the slightest shiver didn't send my swaddling-job cascading off his tiny squirmy body.)

Consider this—during the warmer months and indoors, your infant will likely need to wear nothing more than a light cotton onesie and swaddle. In fact, pediatricians advise against overheating infants, as this can be a risk factor for SIDS. This translates to less laundry. Between poop-splosions and forgetting to change your pajamas for days at a time, laundry is the last thing you need more of.

1. Remember, your baby knows best. While most babies respond very well to swaddling, some won't. Pay attention to your child's cues and respect your own instincts.
2. Think outside the burrito! Some babies prefer having their arms free of a swaddle. Others prefer a traditional full swaddle. Be flexible.
3. It is usually more effective to wrap the torso of your baby more tightly than her legs and hips. As your baby grows, she'll want to kick and squirm her feet.
4. Try swaddling your newborn on your lap. Cradle the baby with your legs while you wrap him.
5. Don't stress about executing a textbook swaddle every time. It'll come to you!