When we brought our daughter home from the hospital, we were scared of so many, many things. But perhaps weighing most heavily on our minds at that moment was the question every parent asks: how do I swaddle this baby? Can I possibly do it the way the nurses showed me?
Because let me tell you, there is nothing like swaddling to calm down a screaming infant. It's more magical than anything in this world. Even unicorns.
So what is this glittery bit of mysticism?
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Basically you're using a blanket to give a newborn that comfy "still cocooned in the womb" feel. The blanket constricts their arms and legs, so they're not flailing around, and it is one of the best ways to get a newborn back to sleep.
As complicated as it looks (actually, my husband always insisted it made our daughter look like a burrito), the good news is swaddle is actually pretty easy. No, really, it takes all of four steps to get you there, and we've got 'em all laid out for you!
Just follow the steps, and you'll have a napping newborn on your hands in no time (well, here's hoping anyway).
Do you swaddle your baby? Does it help soothe them?
Image by Jeanne Sager
Step 1
Lay your swaddling blanket — something thin works best, nothing too bulky — out on a flat surface. Slightly fold down one corner, and lay baby face up on the folded down corner, making sure you keep their head above the blanket's edge.
Step 2
Hold your baby in place and pull one edge of the blanket across their chest. It will look like you've made a triangle. Then tuck that edge underneath baby's torso.
Step 3
Fold the bottom of the blanket up toward baby's face. Make sure you leave room for baby's feet to move slightly. The key is to make it hard for them to flail, but not wrap them so tightly that they overheat.
The Swaddle's Complete
For the last step, pick up the remaining corner of the blanket and wrap it across baby's chest, tucking the edge behind the torso. Only baby's head and neck will be exposed, and they'll be wrapped up like a baby burrito! The swaddle is complete!
