I learned how to swaddle a baby from the fabulous nursing staff at the hospital where our son was born. Swaddling is a wonderful tool to have in your new mommy (or daddy) tool belt and you’ll feel so fulfilled once you’ve mastered this task.
Learning how to swaddle a baby can be intimidating and it takes a bit of practice, but I promise if I can learn how to do it you can too.
Follow these step-by-step directions and you’ll have your baby swaddled in no time at all!
Why Swaddle?
Your baby has been nice and snug inside your tummy for the last nine months. When she entered the world it felt like a really big place and swaddling gives her a sense of security. It makes her feel safe and imitates being back inside your belly.
This is how a swaddled baby looks when everything is said and done. (Special thanks to my niece for letting me borrow her doll! It would have been a bit difficult to share this tutorial using a squirmy baby.)
There are tons of swaddle blankets but, hands down, the Aden & Anais swaddle blankets are my favorite.
I love how large these swaddle blankets are. Lets face it, learning how to swaddle an infant can be challenging at first and having the extra room in the blanket helps! (Not to mention the fact that there’s plenty of room as the baby grows.)
I also love that they’re made of muslin (a light cotton fabric). My son, Dalton, likes to sleep with his hands around his face and with these muslin blankets I never once worried about him not being able to breath when he was swaddled.
Disclaimer: I am not a medical professional. Please consult your physician for more information!
Ok, let’s get started…shall we?
Fold the top part of your blanket down until it’s nearly in the shape of a triangle.
Place your baby at the top, middle portion of your blanket. For her safety, and to prevent smothering when she sleeps, you do not want the blanket to be above her shoulders!
Place your baby’s hand and arm under the top layer of the blanket. (Continue following pictures below.)
Once your baby’s hand and arm are snug under the top layer, pull both layers across her body.
Roll your baby onto her side and tuck the blanket you just pulled across her body underneath her.
Now take the point of the blanket and tuck it underneath her back. (Continue following pictures below.)
Tuck your baby’s free arm underneath the top layer of the blanket (just like you did with her other arm).
Pull the blanket across her body.
Wrap the blanket around her body. You can do this by either rolling her onto her side (as shown in the picture) or by picking her up and wrapping the blanket around her.
And voila! You’ve just swaddled your baby! Way to go momma (or daddy)!
Top Photo Credit: Lars Plougmann CC
Leave A Comment