As in the UK, swaddling is suddenly popular and fashionable again here in Spain with more and more midwives, hospitals and mums realising and recommending the benefits of swaddling. But what exactly is Swaddling and how do first time mums learn to swaddle?
What is Swaddling?
Swaddling has been used for thousands of years to help newborns adjust to life outside the womb. The idea is basically to ‘swaddle’ or wrap your baby so that they feel warm, secure and comfortable when sleeping. Many midwives throughout the world are fans of swaddling and often teach new mums to swaddle in the hospital.
The popularity of swaddling has risen again in recent years due to research that has suggested swaddling aids more peaceful sleep in babies as swaddling recreates the secure environment felt in the womb and prevents babies waking themselves with reflex movements.
Studies have also suggested that swaddling can help to enhance development in low birth weight babies, reduce the risk of cot death, sooth over stimulated babies and also help to reduce symptoms of colic by applying gentle pressure to their abdominal area.
Swaddling - A mums experience of Swaddling
One of my good friends who now runs the website http://www.kidsinmarbella.com/ swaddled her son until he was 5 months old. Here she shares her experience of swaddling ...
"I hadn't really thought of swaddling before. My son was wrapped up tight by the hospital staff after he was born, but I thought nothing of it, but looking back it made sense considering where he had been for the last 9 months!
I started the swaddling in earnest when I was running out of ideas and family members magic rocking knees, to try and stop my son crying with what we think was a touch of colic.
I read somewhere that swaddling babies with colic can help, so it was well worth a try. It comforts them, reminding them of the safety of the womb, all wrapped up, warm and safe and this definately helps to calm them down
I swaddled my son till he was 5 months which is slightly longer than recommended but he loved it, in fact he couldn't sleep without it and it guaranteed me some time off.
I would definately recommend trying it to anyone whos baby has colic or has problems sleeping, there is something primative about swaddling, that gave both me and my son a feeling of comfort."
How to Swaddle?
You can swaddle with a normal sheet or blanket, but many new mums find 'ready made' swaddling blankets or robes easier to use as they are designed to 'swaddle' your baby in just a few easy movements ... particularly handy if your baby is resisting, overtired or irritable.
The JoJo Maman Bebe swaddling robe is pre-folded and easy to use with Velcro™ fastening. It helps babies feel snug and secure.
Suitable from birth.
100% Organic Cotton.
Useful Swaddling Tips
Always ensure your baby’s swaddling is not too tight by checking you can slip your fingers down the top of the sheet.
Additional sheets and blankets are not normally required on top of swaddling, unless in very cold temperatures. You may however want to adjust the clothing your baby is wearing beneath the swaddling robe to the time of year.
If your baby resists swaddling you can try swaddling from the chest down so the baby's hands and arms are free to move around.
