The Benefits of Swaddling

Swaddling can make all the difference when it comes to settling newborns to sleep.

Many researchers refer to the newborn stage as the 4th trimester, wherein babies are in an in-between stage from growing in the womb, to growing in the outside world. For that tender stage, swaddling can make the transition smoother and easier on your babies.

It will reduce the crying, and therefore your stress and anxiety, and can save your baby precious energy they can then dedicate to feeding, play, and growth.

The Benefits:

• Immediate calming effect.

• Great for overstimulated nervous systems (especially for premature babies).

• Easier to settle to sleep, especially when tandem settling.

• Prevents limbs flailing which wakes baby up (startle reflex).

• Boosts oxytocin release.

• Once baby can suck on their hand, swaddling with one hand near the mouth will encourage self-soothing.

Important to note:

• Make sure swaddle isn’t done too tight.

• Start swaddling early to avoid over-tiredness (before sleep is due).

• Keep until (at least) 4 months.

• Unswaddling too early (before 4 months) increases cat napping.

• Stop swaddling once baby can roll from tummy to back (around 5-6 months).

• Swaddling is unsafe for bed-sharing and sleeping on sofa.

I have witnessed the effects of swaddling on newborns many times. The immediate calming effects it has combined with how much easier it makes tandem settling - is priceless for twin parents.

If you need help with settling your newborns to sleep, or aren’t sure how settling can be done well with the swaddle, book a free discovery call today.