Why we swaddle our babies?
Why we swaddle + How to shop for the perfect one
Ever wonder why we actually swaddle our babies? It's one of the fundamentals they teach you in newborn education classes, but it serves a bigger purpose than those adorable baby burrito photos. While it might seem like swaddles should be listed as a bedding accessory on your baby registry, they actually serve a very important role in soothing and sleep. Labor and delivery nurse and Mama Coach, Larissa (@themamacoah.larissa) and I teamed up to give you a bit more information on why we swaddle and how to best shop for these little sleep assistants.
Here's why we use them:
1. Mimics the womb - Swaddling replicates the snug and secure feeling of the womb, which helps soothe a baby to sleep. Newborns also don't have control over their arms, and can wake themselves up if their hands are loose. Swaddling solves this problem!
2. Mutes baby's startle reflex - Babies are born with the Moro reflex, which is an involuntary startle response where their arms and legs extend away from their body. A swaddle will restrict the sudden movements associated with this reflex, and prevent it from interrupting sleep.
3. Can act as a sleep cue - If you swaddle consistently, your baby will come to learn that the next step after swaddling is sleep. It is a great last step in a baby's bedtime and naptime routine.
4. Keeps baby safely warm - Newborns have poor peripheral circulation, so their hands and feet will often feel cold. Loose blankets should not be used in the bassinet or crib for a baby under 12 months. Instead, using a swaddle safely keeps their extremities warm so they stay comfortable throughout the night.
Here's how to register/shop for them:
1. Don't overcommit - there is such a thing as too much of a good thing and swaddles definitely fall into that category. Babies can be picky so keep swaddles on your registry down to a sampling so you don't end up with an overload of types your baby doesn't like and you never end up using.
2. Be aware of dimensions - most of those muslin swaddles that come in adorable packs of three aren't actually going to be big enough for you to wrap an effective swaddle, especially as baby grows. They are great to have, but you probably won't use them to actually wrap your baby burrito. In this case, bigger is better if you intend to do traditional swaddling. At least 45inches will serve you best. I like @copperpearl for this, but other brands make this size. Better yet, take some from the hospital :)
3. Opt for convenient alternatives - it's not super likely you will have the patience to perfect the swaddle (if you do, you're amazing!) and if you have a strong baby it may not serve the purpose, but great alternatives like Swaddleme, Ollie, Miracle Blanket, and Halosleep can be hugely convenient.
4. Get to know baby - swaddles are polarizing products. everyone has a favorite (babies and parents alike) so this is an item I recommend registering for a sampling of. Aim for 1 of a few different types and double down once you know what works. Multiple 4 packs of the same type can get you into an over purchasing and organizing debacle.
Want more baby care and sleep tips from Larissa? Visit her website HERE. Larissa was generous enough to offer Prepping for Peanut readers and clients 10% off her services when you mention PFP.
About my co-author:
Larissa is a Labor & Delivery Nurse and Mama Coach. Her expertise includes pediatric sleep, infant feeding, and childbirth education. Through her private practice, Larissa provides families with individualized sleep coaching, breastfeeding counseling, prenatal classes, and newborn/postpartum support.