- To swaddle a baby in a muslin cloth, lay it flat with one corner folded down, place your baby on the cloth on their back in the centre, wrap the left side of the cloth snug around your baby’s arm and torso, but ensure it isn’t too tight. Then, fold the bottom up over your baby’s feet, tucking the fabric under their chin, before securing the other side by wrapping it around your baby’s arms and torso. Finally, tuck the excess fabric under their back.
- You can swaddle your baby until they begin rolling over. If they roll onto their front while swaddled, they won’t be able to roll back over.
- When swaddling your baby, you should make sure your baby’s legs can move freely so that they’re not at risk of hip dysplasia. A great way to ensure this is by putting your baby’s legs in a frog position while you swaddle them.
Bringing your newborn home from the hospital can be daunting, especially if you're a new parent. One of the biggest challenges you'll face is getting your baby to sleep soundly and safely. That's where swaddling comes in.
According to NCT, one in five babies in the UK are swaddled within the first few weeks of their life, but if you're new to swaddling, it can be a bit intimidating.
That's why we've put together this comprehensive guide to walk you through everything you need to know about swaddling your newborn.
From the benefits of swaddling to step-by-step instructions on how to swaddle your baby, we've got you covered.
What is swaddling?
Swaddling is simply wrapping a baby up gently so they can’t move their arms. It has been used in variations all over the world since 4000 BC.
Why should you swaddle infants?
To a baby, being swaddled can replicate the feeling they had of being in the womb. It gives babies a sense of comfort and security and has been proven to improve the quality of sleep in young babies. It also helps to reduce the startle or Moro reflex that can disturb your baby’s sleep.
What can be used to swaddle a newborn?
Let's look at the different things you can use to swaddle a baby.
- Swaddle blanket: You can use a light cotton material such as a swaddle blanket, muslin cloth or a cot sheet to swaddle your baby.
- Swaddle bag: You can use a specially designed swaddle bag. Our swaddle bags are specially designed for safe swaddling and are acknowledged as 'hip healthy' by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) when used as directed. Their design helps to ensure that the baby's legs are in a natural froggy-legged position when sleeping.
How to swaddle an infant safely
The safest way to swaddle a baby is to do it from birth rather than suddenly introducing swaddling at the vulnerable age of three months and over when the SIDS risk is highest.
If you do decide to give swaddling a go, you should follow these guidelines to keep your newborn safe:
- Make sure that the swaddling finishes at shoulder height. When swaddling, you should only wrap the baby's body and not their neck or head.
- Never place your baby on their tummy to sleep – especially when they’re swaddled.
- Use hip-healthy swaddling techniques that let your baby's hips and knees move freely to reduce the risk of hip dysplasia. Your baby's legs should be able to fall into a natural position (like frog legs).
- Check your baby’s temperature with a thermometer regularly to make sure they don’t get too hot or overheat in their swaddle. Make sure they’re wearing suitable clothes for the weather too.
If you don’t have a specially designed swaddle bag, here’s the safest way to wrap a newborn in a muslin cloth or breathable blanket.
Look for a lightweight, breathable muslin that's specifically designed for swaddling. Avoid heavy blankets as they can cause your baby to overheat.
