How to Swaddle Your Baby Like a Pro
8 minute read
If your baby is having trouble sleeping — swaddling may be just the thing your little one needs to help them drift off into dreamland with ease…
But learning how to swaddle a wiggly baby can be a little tricky at first. With the right swaddling techniques, a little practice, patience (and the right swaddle blanket/ready-made swaddle)…You’ll be bundling your little burrito like a pro in no time!
Whether this is your first or fourth baby…Here’s how to swaddle your baby with ease!
What is Swaddling a Baby
Swaddling a baby is simply wrapping them up tightly in a blanket or specifically designed swaddle — creating a little snug burrito! Many nurses swaddle little ones from day 1 in the hospital for naps, nighttime sleep, or simply to keep the baby warm and comfortable.
Benefits of Swaddling a Baby
After 9(ish) months in the womb, it can be quite an adjustment for babies to get used to their new environment. Swaddling can help ease this transition by resembling the cozy comfort of the womb.
This snuggly sensation can help calm a fussy baby — offering security and helping soothe them to sleep.
And according to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), swaddling also promotes sleep in newborns — and may be just the thing sleep deprived parents need to get a few hours of uninterrupted rest.
One reason for this is that swaddling helps to prevent a newborn’s startle reflex (also known as the Moro reflex). A baby’s own cry can startle them, triggering this reflex, often waking them from sleep.
One study showed that swaddled babies 2 months or younger slept more deeply, startled less often, and fell back asleep more easily than babies who weren’t wrapped.
Is Swaddling a Baby Safe?
Yes! According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is safe to swaddle your baby as long as you keep a few important tips in mind.
Here are a few things to remember so that you can safely swaddle your baby every time:
- Make sure your baby’s swaddle is secure. You don’t want any loose fabric to cover your baby’s nose or mouth.
- Avoid overheating your baby. Use lightweight swaddles and swaddle blankets to avoid overheating your baby. Dress them in warm layers if it’s cold. Feel your little one’s neck to properly gauge their temperature and be aware of signs of sweat either on their hair, chest/back, or clothes.
- Lay your swaddled baby on their back. The AAP recommends placing your baby on their back to sleep for every sleep!
- Keep your baby’s hips and legs loose in the swaddle. Swaddling your little one’s hips too tightly could cause improper development and possibly hip dysplasia.
- Know when to stop swaddling or transition to a sleep sack. Your baby is ready to stop being swaddled when they show signs of rolling over.
That being said — it’s important to learn how to properly swaddle your baby. Let’s take a look at some simple steps to properly swaddle your baby like a pro.
2 Ways to Swaddle a Newborn Baby
There are two easy ways to swaddle a baby:
- Use a swaddling blanket and your favorite swaddling technique. Learning how to swaddle your baby is a great skill for new parents giving you the ability to swaddle your little one anytime, anywhere (as long as you have a blanket of course!).
- Buy an already-made swaddle. This is a great option for busy parents that don’t want to learn a specific swaddling technique. Simply pick out your preferred ready-made swaddle and follow the instructions.
Let’s take a look at each swaddling method in a bit more detail to help you choose what’s right for you and your little one.
How to Swaddle a Baby with a Blanket — Step by Step
We are big fans of Happiest Baby (and often use their 5 S’s method to trigger the calming reflex to soothe our little ones — read more about these amazing techniques HERE).
That’s why we love their simple 4-step swaddling method for swaddling your baby.
Step 1:
Arrange your baby’s swaddling blanket on a flat surface (like your bed) so that one corner is closest to you. The blanket should look like a diamond. Fold the top corner down toward you, bringing it almost to the center of the blanket.
Place your baby in the center of the blanket, with their neck right above the top fold you just created.
Step 2:
While holding your baby’s right arm down by their side, pull down the left side of the blanket over their right shoulder and across their chest. Tuck the blanket under the right side of their bum.
Make sure this first “wrap” is nice and snug so that your little one can’t wiggle out of the swaddle later on!
Pro Tip: Pull the right side of the blanket tight (away from your baby) before moving on to step 3.
Step 3:
Next, hold your baby’s left arm down by their side. Bring the bottom point of the blanket up and tuck it under their left shoulder. (You can also “tuck” this part of the blanket under their left arm to make the swaddle more secure.)
Remember: Your baby’s hips and legs should be able to move easily — only their arms should be tucked close to their body.
Keep the right side of the blanket nice and tight! You’re almost done!
Step 4:
Fold the right side of the blanket halfway down — tucking in your baby’s left shoulder. Grab that right corner one more time — pulling it out away from your baby to remove any slack — and pull it all the way across your baby’s arms (kind of like a belt or a sash!).
You can pull this part of the blanket all the way around your baby — behind their back and again to the front. And then tuck in the blanket under the “belt.”
And that’s it! You did it! (Here’s a helpful video that demonstrates each step!)
Our Top Tips for Swaddling Your Newborn With Ease
Swaddling your baby may seem a little intimidating at first. But here are a few helpful tips to get you on the right track to swaddling your little one like a pro.
Swaddling Tip #1: Swaddle a happy baby (if you can!). Babies are already pretty wiggly — but swaddling a fussy or unhappy baby can be downright challenging (especially if you’re just learning how to swaddle).
Feed your baby, give them a big snuggle or a pacifier, make sure they have a clean diaper, and are comfortable temperature-wise. Essentially — try to take care of all their other needs first. It’ll be much easier to swaddle a happy, content baby!
Swaddling Tip #2: Practice, practice, practice! It may take a few times to get the hang of swaddling your baby. And that’s ok! Don’t be too hard on yourself if you don’t get it the first time. Keep practicing and you’ll get the hang of it before you know it.
Swaddling Tip #3: Use the right swaddling blanket! You want a light-weight, square blanket to swaddle your little one. Look for blankets that are 47 inches x 47 inches — not too big, not too small. We like swaddling blankets made out of soft muslin fabric that are super breathable and have a nice stretch to them.
Our Favorite Swaddling Blankets
Photo of Mushie Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets
Soft, breathable, and super cute… It can be difficult to choose just one swaddling blanket for your baby! These are some of the very best swaddling blankets that will help your baby feel comfy, cozy, and safe while they drift off into dreamland.
We love that these swaddle blankets are so versatile — they can also be used as a blanket, nursing cover, portable crib sheet, a change mat, a stroller cover and more!
- Mushie Organic Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets — $19
- Copper Pearl Knit Swaddle Blankets — $26.95
- Lulujo Baby — Classic Muslin Cotton Swaddle — $19.99
- Little Unicorn Swaddle Blanket Sets — $45
- Angel Dear Swaddle Blankets — $14
- Sweet Bamboo Oversized Swaddle — $20
- Modal Swaddle Blanket — $28
Pro Tip: Add your swaddling blankets to your baby registry! People LOVE to give baby blankets (trust us, you’ll get a ton of them!). By adding the ones you want to your registry, you’ll let your loved ones know exactly which swaddling blankets you prefer.
Swaddle Blanket vs. Swaddle
Many parents are happy and content with the traditional burrito wrap method of using a swaddle blanket. But when you’re in the throes of the newborn phase, you may want an easier way to swaddle your baby.
That’s where ready-made swaddles save the day!
Swaddles make it super easy to wrap your baby — without the headache of remembering a ton of steps or navigating the trial-and-error process of swaddling a wiggly baby.
All you have to do is follow a few simple steps to velcro or zip your little one into place!
Our Favorite Baby Swaddles
There are so many great swaddles out there. But after many sleepless nights and much trial and error, we’ve picked out the best swaddles on the market.
Here are our top baby swaddles:
Embe 2-Way Swaddles — $35.99
If your little one runs warm — or you live in a hot climate — the Embe 2-Way Swaddle is for you! We love that this swaddle gives you the option to swaddle your baby with their legs in…or out! Perfect for keeping your baby nice and cool when they need it.
The Embe also has 3 adjustable swaddle lengths — so that your baby always has just the right length of fabric they need to stay cozy and safe. Plus, the fabric designs are super cute!
Itzy Ritzy Cutie Cocoon & Matching Hat Sets — $20
We love the simplicity of Itzy Ritzy Cutie Cocoon Swaddle! This is a perfect first swaddle for your newborn. The jersey fabric is super soft and stretchy making it a breeze to snuggly wrap your little burrito baby with ease. And it comes with an adorable matching hat!
When to Stop Swaddling a Baby
It’s best to stop swaddling your baby when they show signs of rolling over. That way your little one will have their hands free if they roll from their back to their tummy. This will give your baby the ability to roll themselves back over onto their back… Or safely keep snoozing away on their tummy!
Final Thoughts on Swaddling Your Baby
Swaddling has been around for centuries. And it may be just the thing to help your little one to sleep independently with ease. Whether it’s a swaddle blanket or a ready-made swaddle, both are great options for swaddling your newborn. The right option totally depends on you and your baby’s unique needs.
If you’re nervous about swaddling your baby for the first time… You’re not alone! We have been there ourselves and talk to many parents that feel anxious about swaddling their baby correctly.
Follow the tips in this post and stop by the Babies in Bloom Boutique to chat with one of our representatives if you have any questions. We can also help you practice swaddling your little one — or even a baby doll! — to make sure you feel comfortable and confident bundling your little burrito.
Boutique Website: https://babies-in-bloom.myshopify.com/
Boutique Address: 127 Main Street, Vista, CA 92081
Boutique Hours: Monday – Saturday: 9 am – 4 pm (We are closed on Sunday!)
