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Seven options for swaddling babies and the most important rules from a pediatrician. How to swaddle a baby correctly: step-by-step instructions

Some three decades ago, the question of the advisability of swaddling a newborn was not even raised before young parents.

They simply had no other alternative. As a dowry for the baby, they bought a set of diapers and a blanket, and the diapers were made from gauze or from an old sheet.

The modern view of the need to swaddle a baby has changed dramatically. Newborns are dressed in smart suits when they are discharged from the hospital.

Are modern parents right? Do babies need to be swaddled? Let's figure it out.

Basic Requirements

Proper swaddling of a baby has a number of positive aspects:

It facilitates the baby’s adaptation to new living conditions outside the mother’s womb, in which he was warm and comfortable. The diaper, tightly covering the body of the newborn, seems to return him to the cramped conditions of the mother's womb. That is why a baby wrapped in it calms down and falls asleep faster.
A warmed soft diaper, replacing the warmth of the mother’s body, helps the baby’s body adapt to new temperature conditions.
Once born, the little man experiences severe stress. He often shudders in his sleep, flaps his arms and, touching his face, wakes up. This is exactly what happens to newborns whose arms and legs are left free. If you swaddle the baby, this will not happen and his sleep will be more restful.

Full swaddling

Pediatricians are inclined to believe that swaddling is beneficial for newborns during the first four weeks of their life. With the help of diapers, adaptation to the “new” world will be more harmonious and gentle for babies.

Having become somewhat accustomed to the environment, the baby will lose the habit of reflexively throwing up his limbs, and their movements will become more smooth and coordinated. There is no longer any special need for swaddling a one and a half month old baby. There is a point in night swaddling only for those babies who continue to throw up their arms during sleep.

It is impossible to give any categorical recommendations here. In each case, it all depends on the behavior of the baby himself. If it is difficult for him to fall asleep without swaddling or his sleep is interrupted by frequent awakenings, it means that the time to give up diapers has not yet come.

A wrapped baby feels protected (photo)

Babies should only be swaddled while sleeping. During the waking period, it is better to leave them in clothes that do not restrict movement. The best option would be rompers and a vest.
Parents of babies should initially avoid using too tight a method, since in addition to difficulty breathing, it can contribute to hip dislocation.
Diapers must be immaculately clean and ironed. Using an iron with a steamer or sprinkling the surface of the diaper with water while ironing it ensures that the fabric is especially soft and comfortable for the baby. If a baby has urinated on a diaper, it is strictly forbidden to dry it on a radiator - this can lead to the development of diaper rash and irritation of the baby’s delicate skin, even to the development of dermatitis.
Only a washed baby should be wrapped.
If the temperature in the children's room is not higher than twenty degrees, the best option is to swaddle the baby in two diapers: calico and flannel. In a very hot room, gauze is suitable for changing a newborn. This fabric will create optimal conditions for moisture exchange of children's skin.
You can swaddle a newborn on any horizontal surface, but it is most convenient to do this on a changing table: this will prevent unwanted stress on the lower back while caring for the baby. It will also be convenient to carry out the procedure directly in the crib if it has the ability to set it to a second (higher) level.
Before wrapping, put a diaper or diaper on the baby. When using a diaper, you need to make sure that it helps spread the legs. If the diaper is made of thin gauze, a small diaper folded into a rectangle is placed between the baby’s legs.
In addition to the diaper, the baby is put on a fresh thin vest that wraps around the back and a warm one that wraps around the chest.
The room should be warm and draft-free.

Under no circumstances should you leave your baby unattended on the changing table. When leaving the room, even for a few minutes, you should put him in a crib.

The baby needs to learn to control his arms and legs

Swaddling using a swaddle and/or blanket

Swaddling babies can be tight or loose. For many centuries, it was believed that tightly swaddling newborns formed their correct posture and ensured straight legs in the future.

In Rus', for tightly swaddling babies, they used a swaddling cloth - a special strip of dense homespun material (at least twenty centimeters wide). The baby, wrapped in a diaper, was wrapped with this ribbon from head to toe over the diaper. As a result of such swaddling, the baby, deprived of the ability to move his limbs, lay in the crib like a soldier at attention.

Nowadays, too tight swaddling is recognized not only as inappropriate, but also as a harmful procedure that hinders the natural physical development of the child and can cause serious injury to him.

The tradition of wrapping children in swaddling clothes dates back to Ancient Rus'.

What are the harms of traditional tight swaddling?:

A baby whose limbs were forcibly straightened and fixed in this position is forced to spend hours in a completely unnatural position (in a normal position, slightly spread legs should have maximum freedom of movement).
The movements of a baby accustomed to tight swaddling remain uncoordinated for a long time. He is significantly behind in physical development from those of his peers who had the opportunity to move their limbs freely.
Artificial restriction of mobility leads to the fact that six-month-old and even eight-month-old infants practically cannot roll over or crawl normally.
Tight diapers disrupt normal blood circulation in all parts of the small body. The lungs especially suffer from this, since a compressed chest prevents full breathing.
Disruption of normal blood circulation has equally dire consequences for the formation of the immune system. Tightly swaddled babies subsequently get sick much more often than their peers who are not limited in their movements.
Tight swaddling of straightened legs often leads to dysplasia (congenital subluxation or dislocation) of the hip joint.

There is officially confirmed data that after young mothers in Japan abandoned the traditional tight swaddling of their children's legs as part of a national project, the number of cases of hip dysplasia decreased from 3 to 0.3%.

Tight

Tight swaddling is sometimes called full swaddling, because with it the baby is wrapped in a swaddle from the shoulders to the feet. This method is relevant for children from birth to two to three months. There are two main types of it.

Classic version:

Lay out two diapers at once on the table, carefully smoothing them out (the flannel one should be at the bottom).
After placing the baby on the diaper, put a diaper on him.
At the time of swaddling, the baby’s arms, extended along the body, are held with one hand.
The right edge of the diaper, passing over the baby's left shoulder, is tucked under his back.
The child's right shoulder is wrapped in a similar manner.
Since the baby's arms, bound by the fabric, lose the ability to actively move, at this moment the hands of the person performing the swaddling are freed. Further manipulations are performed with both hands.
The lower edge (tail) of the diaper is placed on the baby's chest and, wrapping his body, is tucked into the resulting fabric fold.

The classic method of tight swaddling

Swaddling "with a headscarf":

With this wrapping option, the baby's head receives additional protection in the form of an improvised scarf.

A thin diaper is spread on the changing table so that it is slightly higher than the flannel one (in this option, the insulated diaper is placed on top of the thin one).
The newborn is placed on the table so that his head is wrapped with the upper edge of a thin diaper.
The right edge of the diaper is wrapped around the baby's body and placed under the back.
The same is done with the left edge of the diaper.
The “tail” is fixed as in the embodiment described above.

Stages of swaddling using a headscarf

Free

This method of swaddling, which does not restrict the baby’s movements, is more gentle, since the position with arms crossed and legs pulled up to the tummy is as close as possible to its intrauterine position in the mother’s womb.

The free method gives the baby the opportunity to freely move his legs, suck a fist or finger, and touch his face with his palms.

There are two options for free swaddling newborns: in the first option, only the baby’s hands are free. With the second option, movements are not limited to either arms or legs. The use of an envelope for newborns, which does not restrict the baby’s movements, in this sense can be considered a good alternative to traditional swaddling.

The first option is done like this:

Having spread a cotton diaper over a warm diaper, they place the baby on it, already dressed in two vests and a diaper.
The upper part of the diaper should be located at the level of the infant's armpits.
Having tucked the side edges under the baby's back, the lower part of the diaper is lifted and tucked in.
The result should be something like a bag, inside which the baby can dangle his legs freely.
A warm diaper is folded in the same way.

Stages of free swaddling (photo)

Wide

This type of swaddling is used for babies with deviations in the development of the hip joint, musculoskeletal system and suspected dysplasia. The essence of this method is that the newborn’s legs are spread wide and fixed in this position.

To fix the lower extremities, use a folded diaper or (in special cases) a Freik pillow. In some sources it is called a “feather blanket,” a splint, or a bandage. Thanks to this method, the baby’s legs take on their natural physiological state: half-bent, with a spread of sixty degrees.

To help modern mothers for wide swaddling of babies, special panties and covers are produced, equipped with Velcro in the shoulder area. If these devices are not available, you can use the traditional swaddling method using three diapers.

Folding one of them into a triangle, place the baby on it. The other, folded several times, is placed between the child’s legs. The side edges of the first diaper are wrapped around the children's hips, fixing an improvised pad. The lower edge of the triangle, passing between the baby’s legs, is fixed with the same sides.

The upper corners of the third diaper are wrapped diagonally around the baby's tummy. The lower “tail” is folded up and tucked under an improvised belt. If swaddling is done correctly, the baby's legs should be slightly fixed and tightened.

Wide swaddling can be partial - up to chest level and full - up to chin level.

Wide way

Swaddling with head (corner)

This method of wrapping a mother’s baby is called an “envelope.” In this case, the diapers are laid out in the shape of a diamond, and the baby is laid on top of them so that his head is in the lower part of the upper corner.

The side edges of the diapers are wrapped in the same way as in all the methods described above. The bottom edge is either placed on the baby’s chest and fixed in the traditional way, or it is wrapped behind the back and, going around the baby’s body from the sides, tucked into the resulting fold in the front.

A corner that covers the baby's face allows you to protect him from bright sunlight or exposure to cold during street walks.

In the warm season, the newborn's head should be protected by a light cap, and in winter - by an insulated cap.

When walking on a hot day, it is advisable to limit yourself to only one diaper (if the heat is sweltering, the diaper should be gauze). With the onset of cold weather, the baby is wrapped in a warm blanket over the diapers.

You should not refuse to swaddle a newborn baby in the first weeks of his life. Providing comfort and a sense of security, it facilitates the baby's adaptation to the harsh conditions of life outside the mother's tummy. Proper swaddling should be gentle and provide the baby with the opportunity to move freely.

When we talk about newborns, the image of a cute little bag carefully wrapped in a diaper immediately appears in our heads. Indeed, until quite recently, it was customary to swaddle babies in a set of a diaper and a blanket, or only in a diaper.

How justified this is in our time, when a lot of cute clothes for little ones have appeared, we will discuss below. However, to this day, many mothers and nurses in the maternity hospital are accustomed to wrapping a newborn “the old fashioned way.”

What are the benefits of swaddling for babies and parents?

During his time in the mother's womb, the baby has become accustomed to limited space, and therefore at first he may experience discomfort from the new freedom of movement, and swaddling will help him adapt gradually.

In addition, as practice shows, babies in diapers often fall asleep faster and sleep more peacefully than in diapers.

With sufficient skill, parents can change their baby's diapers to clean ones much faster and easier than changing blouses and pants. At the same time, using a diaper in infancy helps mom and dad save a lot on diapers, which, you see, is a powerful argument in our time.

What is it like?

If our great-grandmothers made do with one type of swaddling - now it is called tight - using a swaddle for this, then modern children are swaddled in different ways: freely, selectively (leaving arms or legs free) and even in a special orthopedic way.

Tight (classic, soldier, column)

Tight swaddling is now used quite rarely; the child needs to be left a little freedom. However, the basic principle remains the same - the diaper completely covers both the baby’s arms and legs. This method is called simple or classic swaddling.

Free

Depending on the mother's need or desire, the baby can be swaddled freely, leaving room for the legs to move, or even leaving the arms free.

With your head

You can swaddle the baby completely, with his head. If the room where the child is is cool, this can be very convenient. Especially if the baby is not very good at putting on a hat.

We offer an algorithm of actions that will help you swaddle your newborn easily and, most importantly, correctly.

What is needed for swaddling?

Diapers (in hot weather, one thin diaper is enough; in cool weather, a warm, soft flannel diaper is also placed under a thin diaper).
Pampers or disposable diaper.
Any product you choose that you use to treat your baby’s skin under the diaper (oil, cream or powder).
Convenient place for changing.

Is a changing table required?

It is convenient to swaddle your baby on a special changing table. As a rule, it is simply a flat table with a shelf for storing care products.

This table, of course, is very convenient because it has sides to protect the baby, and also allows the mother not to bend over the child too much, easing the load on her back.

However, its presence is not at all necessary. It is quite possible to swaddle your baby both on the bed and on the sofa.

An important point when swaddling is to ensure that the baby’s neck and chest are not pulled too tightly.
Never leave a swaddled baby on your stomach, as this can lead to suffocation.
You should not wrap your baby in a diaper after 3 months, let him move more. If desired, you can leave swaddling only for nighttime sleep.

And most importantly: never leave your child on the sofa or table unattended! If you need to leave for something, be sure to transfer the baby to his crib. It's better to be safe than sorry!

How to prepare your baby before swaddling?

You can wrap your baby in a diaper only after following standard hygiene procedures:

The child needs to be washed and dried thoroughly.
Before wrapping the baby in diapers, put on a diaper or gauze diaper.
Having carefully blotted the skin, treat it under the diaper with oil, baby cream or talcum powder to prevent diaper rash from forming.

How to make a diaper from gauze?

In order to save money when swaddling a baby, you can use gauze diapers rather than ready-made disposable diapers. How to build it is clearly demonstrated by the following diagram in pictures:

How to properly disinfect diapers?

After washing, it is highly advisable to iron diapers for a newborn on both sides with a hot iron. If possible, it is better to use a steamer. Then the fabric will not only be disinfected, but will also become softer.

If you don’t have such a device, you can simply spray water on the fabric while ironing.

Let's get down to business: step-by-step instructions

Previously, even kindergarten children, playing at being daughters and mothers, deftly wrapped dolls in rags, copying their mother’s movements. If you didn’t swaddle toys as a child or are not sure that you know how to do it correctly, we will try to tell and show everything.

Full swaddling

Spread the diaper horizontally on a flat surface. We wrap the top part a little.
We put the baby on the diaper in the middle. One handle can be wrapped in the folded part of the diaper. We fold one part of the diaper onto the opposite side of the baby, tucking the edge slightly under the side. The edge of the diaper goes behind the baby's back.
Now we take the second part of the diaper and also fold it under the opposite side of the child.
Now the top of the baby is completely covered, including the hangers.
We bend the lower part of the diaper forward, covering the baby’s legs. We straighten the diaper and wrap its ends under the top edge of the lapel.

For a better understanding, we offer instructions in pictures:

This method of swaddling is shown in as much detail as possible in the following video clip (video from the maternity hospital):

Free

The principle of loose swaddling is the same as tight swaddling. The only difference: it is performed without strong tension on the diaper, as a result, the baby’s legs and arms remain practically free. In addition, you can swaddle only the baby’s arms or just the baby’s legs in this way.

All actions are performed in the same way as with full swaddling - first one edge is folded, then the other, and finally the lower part is raised and wrapped under the armpits.

Swaddling without handles

If desired, the child can be swaddled only the lower part of the body. In this case, they put a vest or blouse on him, and place him on a diaper not at the level of the neck and shoulders, but at the level of the armpits.

With your head

The algorithm for swaddling a baby's head is as follows:

The baby is placed diagonally on a diaper or blanket, so that one of the corners is above the baby's head.
The corner is wrapped around the head, imitating a hat or cap.
Take turns wrapping one side, the bottom corner, and the other side, as in classic swaddling.

This method is demonstrated in even more detail in the following video:

Wide swaddling: why and how?

Wide swaddling is a means of preventing and even treating congenital dislocation and subluxation of the hip, if it is diagnosed early. In newborn babies, the femoral head easily falls into place if the legs are in the correct position.

When treating congenital dislocation of the hip, special panties are used during swaddling or a folded diaper is simply placed between the legs.

This is done to ensure that the legs are constantly in a spread position. The instructions for wide swaddling are quite simple - the main thing is to leave the baby's legs in a free position.

The essence of this type of swaddling is that the baby is wrapped in a swaddle only halfway and in the usual physiological position - with legs bent and spread apart. That is, the diaper in the hip area is not tightened tightly, but remains in a loose position.

The sequence of wide swaddling is the same as direct swaddling:

The child is placed on a diaper, one edge is bent to the opposite side diagonally, fixing it under the handle.
Fold the second side of the diaper, leaving the lower part wide and free.
The lower part of the diaper is lifted and wrapped around the child’s waist, making sure that the legs are in a completely free position.

Pros and cons of swaddling babies

Curvature of the legs: fact or fiction?

The idea of our ancestors that using tight swaddling can provide a child with slender, even legs is currently untenable. Therefore, pediatricians strongly do not recommend swaddling the baby in this way.

Tight swaddling negatively affects the physiological and emotional development of the child, resulting in problems in the respiratory and nervous systems, the gastrointestinal tract and being one of the causes of rickets.

Simple anxiety or central nervous system problems?

Swaddling “with arms” can provide significant assistance to the baby and parents when going to bed. Indeed, sometimes it happens that children cannot fall asleep, since the chaotic waving of their hands frightens them and wakes them up.

However, sometimes these problems can hide disturbances in the functioning of the child’s nervous system, so it is better not only to swaddle the child for sleep, but also to consult a doctor with the corresponding question.

Simplicity and savings or muscle tone?

As we have already said, after practicing a couple of times, you can swaddle your baby very quickly and deftly. So in some cases this is the easiest and fastest way to dress a child. In addition, let's not forget about saving. Indeed, for the first couple of months the baby is quite comfortable in diapers.

On the other hand, by dressing the baby in pants and a blouse, parents provide him with maximum freedom to move. And we know that any movement improves muscle development and tone.

And, in the end, all these baby clothes are so beautiful! Maybe you shouldn't deny yourself pleasure? By the way, perhaps this is how parents instill good taste in their children from a very early age?

Whether you swaddle your child or dress him in pants and blouses from birth is up to you, the parents, to decide. The main thing is that both you and the baby feel comfortable and comfortable.

How to swaddle a baby correctly? This is perhaps the first question that a mother has when she comes home from the maternity hospital with her baby. It is simply impossible to swaddle a baby evenly, neatly and tightly enough the first time. However, this problem can be solved very easily, the main thing is practice, and you will have enough of it in the near future)

When changing, we use only clean diapers. For a long time there was an opinion that it was necessary to iron it, and this had to be done very carefully, on both sides. However, as pediatricians have proven, ironing diapers is a waste of time and effort. Freshly washed diapers do not contain any pathogenic bacteria that would need to be destroyed using high-temperature treatment.

Where should you swaddle your baby? Yes, wherever it is convenient for you. This could be a changing table, a sofa, or a bed. The main thing is not to leave the baby alone for a minute, in order to avoid an accidental fall. If you need to leave, be sure to put the baby in the crib, where he will be safe while you are away.

How to swaddle a newborn baby

The baby must be clean and in a clean diaper. If you use gauze diapers rather than disposable ones, you need to have at least 20 diapers, since they will get dirty much more often.

If it’s cold outside and cool inside, prepare a couple of films in advance.

The picture clearly shows what the process should look like swaddling bags with handles. This is how all children in maternity hospitals are swaddled.

We spread the diaper and carefully place the baby in the middle of the diaper so that his head is higher than the edge of the diaper. We press the right hand to the body, and wrap the right corner of the diaper diagonally, the edge of the diaper should be wrapped behind the baby’s back. Now we press the left arm to the body in the same way, and wrap the left corner of the diaper, like the right one, diagonally. At the bottom we get a “fish tail”. The edges are tucked under the baby one by one, and then fixed in the side pocket we created.

Everything is ready, the baby was swaddled quickly and not at all difficult. A few training sessions and this process will be brought to automaticity, don’t even doubt it.

Below we show how to properly swaddle a newborn in pictures step by step.

When the house is cool, we swaddle the baby in a second diaper, the only difference being that there is no longer any need to press the arms, since they are already hidden.

How to swaddle a newborn baby in the summer?

In hot weather it is best to use the method free swaddling. With this method, the baby, while swaddling, is positioned on the diaper so that his arms remain above the edge of the diaper. We wrap the diaper in the same way as with simple swaddling. Thus, the newborn baby’s arms remain open. Or, you can use ready-made envelopes in which the baby’s legs are fixed and the arms are free.

If your swaddled baby shows obvious signs of anxiety and cannot calm down even in your arms, check whether you swaddled him too tightly and whether there are folds in the swaddle that are interfering with him. It is very important that the baby feels comfortable. The recommended air temperature in a room with a newborn wrapped in a diaper should be about twenty degrees.

Should I swaddle my baby?

Not long ago, whether to swaddle a baby or not became a subject of debate among pediatricians and parents of babies. Opponents of this method cite the following arguments in their favor:

It is possible for babies wrapped in diapers to overheat, since their thermoregulation mechanism is very different from adults. If the room is too warm, it’s hot outside, and the likelihood of overheating increases;
keeping a baby in a diaper can lead to developmental delays, since he is not able to freely master the movements of his arms and legs;
It is useful for newborn babies to sleep lying on their stomach, but while swaddled it is almost impossible to do this;
tight constriction can have a detrimental effect on the child’s cardiovascular system, as it slows down the blood circulation process;

In addition, common reasons for young mothers to refuse to wrap their baby tightly are the following:

simplifying newborn care;
inability and unwillingness to learn to swaddle;
It’s much easier to put rompers on your baby, and dad can change them if necessary.

At the end of the article we have prepared additional material for you. Download the checklist “How to properly put on and change diapers” and caring for your baby will bring you only joy!

Here's what proponents of the method say in defense of their position:

swaddling keeps the baby's body temperature normal in the first weeks of life;
the baby is calmer and sleeps better when wrapped in a diaper, as it does not disturb itself with uncontrolled movements of its arms and legs;
being in diapers, the baby feels more natural, because in recent weeks, while in the womb, he has become accustomed to the lack of living space, and therefore in diapers he is both more comfortable and calmer. In rompers and blouses, babies may get scared in their sleep and wake up;
Using diapers is much less expensive for a young family’s budget than purchasing new pants, tights, and blouses for a growing child every two to three weeks.

There are several types of swaddling. In addition to those already described, free and swaddling with handles, swaddling with an “envelope” and wide swaddling is practiced.

Swaddling with an "envelope" is done as follows. The corner of the diaper above the baby's head should be left free. We lift the bottom corner of the diaper and place it on the baby’s tummy. We lay the side corners as with normal swaddling. All! A child in such a diaper will feel great while walking outside. If it is cold, we wrap it in a blanket, but if it is hot, we use a gauze diaper.

Wide swaddling A newborn is used if the baby has muscle tone disorders or orthopedic problems. When swaddling wide, the baby's legs are bent, the hips are abducted, the position is very comfortable and familiar for the baby. This type of swaddling does not interfere with the proper development of the baby’s hip joints, it can help in cases of mild dysplasia, and prevent the occurrence of subluxation or dislocation of the hip in babies. This type of swaddling is used from birth to six months.

It is advisable to master all types of swaddling; this will be very useful for your newborn baby and will make your life easier. It is better to alternate different swaddling techniques.

And one more tip on how to swaddle a baby correctly.

Before swaddling, put on your baby a thin vest that wraps around the back, followed by a warm one that wraps around the chest. After this. A diaper is often a gauze square 80 by 80 cm, which is folded into a triangle. We pass a right angle between the baby’s legs, and wrap the sharp corners around the stomach.

Until what age should a baby be swaddled?

There are no specific time standards. Different babies need different times to get used to the new, huge world around them, which has replaced the close comfort of their mother’s tummy. One week may be enough to adapt, or it may take six months. In general, children from one and a half to three months can get by with loose swaddling. And yet, until how many months to swaddle a baby, you have to decide for yourself, and with experience you will definitely understand how to swaddle a newborn in the most convenient way.

Watching how your newborn baby falls asleep and sleeps, you will understand when the time comes to say goodbye to diapers.

Read our next article.

Download the checklist "How to properly put on and change diapers"

Do you think that gauze diapers are safer for your baby? By downloading the checklist, you will learn how to properly put on and change diapers. Let caring for your baby bring you only joy!

A person who sees a newborn baby usually has an instinctive desire to wrap it in something soft. Most mothers do this. They learn how to swaddle a baby, and the diaper becomes trueassistant in the first year of life. And sometimes it is more important for mothers to provide the baby with the opportunity to move without restrictions from the very first seconds of life, leaving the baby without diapers. What is better - swaddling a newborn or freedom? How to swaddle correctly and is it worth doing it at all? How to solve the baby changing issue? Let's try to figure it out.

The secrets of an ordinary diaper or why and how to swaddle a newborn?

The truth, as always, is somewhere in the middle. On the one hand, a newborn really needs to be warmed up, helped to understand the boundaries of the body, so that he felt relaxed and protected , as in the womb. Most babies need gentle adaptation to the new conditions of their existence. You need to get used to such a stunning change in external circumstances gradually. And wonderful helpers in this, first of all, are mother’s skillful hands, the warmth of her body. The mother can take the newborn and warm him by holding him to her stomach or chest. Provide healing skin-to-skin contact . Then you won't need a diaper.
But to modern young mothers Lack of confidence in handling newborns . Often the first newborn a woman sees is her own baby. In the first minutes and days, theoretical training helps little. All subtleties are learned in practice. This is where “grandmother’s” diapers come in handy. A swaddled baby is easier to hold and easier to carry. And babies very often calm down and sleep soundly in diapers. There is an opinion that babies under 40 days old do not need clothes at all, only diapers. And this makes a certain sense. After all, it is much more difficult for a mother without experience to put a bodysuit and rompers on a crying baby than just wrap him in a diaper .

Pros of swaddling:

babies feel calmer in a diaper
swaddled babies sleep longer and sounder
saving on newborn clothes
diapers will later come in handy in life with a child

INIt’s important not to go too far : do not swaddle tightly and do not keep your baby in diapers all the time. Tight swaddling, especially with straightening the legs and arms, is definitely harmful (see the tab with WHO recommendations). The diaper should create a soft, comfortable shell, inside which The baby can move his arms and legs freely . The baby should be able to pull out a hand, or two at once, or even get out of the diapers when he grows up a little. In this sense, stretchy knitted diapers are convenient. And it’s easier for an inexperienced mother to swaddle in them. In general, it would be ideal if someone showed the new mother all the intricacies of swaddling and taught how to swaddle correctly. Watch the fragment video tutorial “Caring for a newborn” at the bottom of the page, which shows the so-called wide swaddle with loose legs.

Difficulties of swaddling:

There is a risk of overheating if you wrap your baby too warmly.

So what should you do - swaddle or not??

Universal rule for parents "Focus on your own child" helps in this matter too. There are days when the child falls asleep just fine as is, and sometimes the baby cannot fall asleep until he feels “like in his tummy.” Be flexible and look at the child. If you notice that the baby is getting out of the diapers, it means that he does not need them now. Some babies grow out of swaddling with arms quite quickly, but the wide open swaddling your feet calms them down and helps you sleep better for some time. There is a method of swaddling “under the arms”, just for such cases. Or you can replace swaddling with a cute sleeping bag, for example.
There are children who are clearly protesting against diapers from the day of birth. In this case, there is no need to insist. You just need to do it more often, giving it an intrauterine position. Take a closer look at your baby, listen to his wishes.

*Swaddling*	*No swaddling*
Advantages
many babies feel calmer in a diaper sleep longer and sounder a swaddled baby is easier to hold in the arms of a young mother and father You can save money on newborn clothes Diapers will later come in handy in life with a child	baby moves more hardening you can save on diapers no need to learn to swaddle
Difficulties
you need to practice to swaddle quickly and deftly there is a possibility of overheating the child	the baby can jump up during sleep and wake himself up with the movement of his arms and legs baby may be more anxious in the first months

At the same time, the WHO emphasizes that Not all babies need swaddling. Most in need of swaddling:

restless and easily excitable children who often startle and wake up during sleep;
premature babies (in this case, free swaddling helps to stabilize physiological functions and develop the neuromuscular system);
children with brain damage.

Tight swaddling, when the baby’s legs and arms are straightened and pressed tightly to the body, and then fixed with a diaper, according to WHO, leads to dysplasia, impaired blood circulation, and delayed development of neuromuscular coordination. In addition, the risk of overheating increases significantly.

What you need for swaddling

Thin calico or knitted diapers, about 20pcs. Size 110x110 cm

This is a basic diaper. It is thin, breathable, and it is difficult to overheat a baby in it. In hot weather, the baby can be swaddled naked in a thin diaper, and when it is cooler - in a vest. We recommend this one newborn diaper size, because it is convenient for changing and will last longer. You will most likely be given smaller diapers at the maternity hospital.

Flannel diapers (flannelette)20 pcs. Size 100x100 cm

These diapers will come in handy for the first weeks. The baby is wrapped in a flannel diaper over a thin cotton or knitted one. The result is a tight, good package that is comfortable for a newborn and comfortable for a young mother to carry. Moreover, this additional insulation, which some children need to fall asleep easier. Gradually, as the baby grows, the need to swaddle in flannel diapers disappears. But they will last for a long time comfortable bedding and sheets for all occasions: a stroller, a crib, a doctor’s appointment, and so on.

"Lazy" diapers, diapers with fasteners, envelopesand the like.

These modern inventions and devices are designed to make life easier for mothers who doesn't know how to swaddle child. They may be useful and convenient, but they are definitely not essential items. Grandma's good old diapers work just as well, but are incomparably cheaper. A changing bag can be convenient for walks and trips in a car seat, just make sure it has slots for seat belts.

Changing place

A baby changing table with many shelves or even a whole chest of drawers for changing is, of course, very convenient, especially for handling a newborn in the first couple of weeks. But if space in the apartment is limited, you can easily do without these pieces of furniture. You don’t even need to buy a changing board or a changing mattress with sides. It is also convenient to swaddle a child on an adult wide bed or a crib with a removed wall. Breathable natural waterproof beds will help protect beds from getting wet. Somewhere nearby, at arm's length, it would be nice to place shelves for all sorts of needs: diaper cream, cotton pads, a supply of diapers and diapers. Watch the video at the bottom of the page to see how this can be done. This arrangement of a changing area has many advantages:

more free space in the room,
no need to buy furniture that will only be needed for a short period of time
it is safer than a tall baby changing chest or changing table.

Attention! Never leave your baby alone on the baby changing table, even for a second. When you reach for the diaper, use your other hand hold the baby. If you cannot reach something, take the baby in your arms. Even if the baby does not roll over or crawl, there is still a danger that he falls off the changing table.

Swaddling technology - how it's done step by step

There are many ways to swaddle a baby. We offer you the simplest, most convenient, safe and time-tested. You were probably swaddled the same way when you were a newborn baby

Place the baby across the sheet along the long side, in the middle.
Take the top left corner of the diaper and place it under your baby's right armpit.
Take the upper right corner and place it behind the baby's back on the left side.
Take both lower corners of the diaper in both hands, slightly pull them towards you and straighten them.
Throw the bottom edge of the diaper over the baby's arms, wrap it loosely around the baby and secure it to the back, tucking a corner under the edge of the diaper.

You need to swaddle freely, but secure the diaper more securely. We should get a cocoon, inside which the baby moves his arms and legs, without the structure falling apart. Practice and you will succeed!

Boil and iron diapers? Well, no way

Good news: you don't have to boil and iron mountains of diapers every day. Of course, wash and iron all the baby’s dowry in in preparation for childbirth not forbidden. This meditative and useful activity contributes to the formation and puts mom in the right mood. But after the birth of your baby, you can forget about ironing with a clear conscience if you have an automatic washing machine with a 90* wash program and a convenient clothes dryer. On a truly convenient drying rack, you can hang diapers evenly even with one hand, while holding the baby with the other hand or in a sling.
Most likely, you will not need to wash diapers at high temperatures often. For normal everyday washing, a program of 75*C is sufficient. An extra rinse won't hurt either. Boiling (or washing at 90) and ironing diapers on both sides can be useful in case of serious dermatitis or intestinal and other infections.

Changing FAQ

How to swaddle a baby correctly?

There are quite a few ways of swaddling, you can watch master classes on YouTube, try several and choose the most convenient one. The main thing is not to swaddle tightly, not to immobilize the baby, to swaddle so that the baby has the ability to move inside and get out of the diaper when he needs to.

What to wear under a diaper?

Depends on the situation and temperature. If the baby is a newborn and the house is warm, then you can swaddle it over a thin vest or nothing at all. If you need a diaper to put you to sleep a grown up baby, swaddle over pajamas. If the baby sleeps while walking in a stroller, swaddle him with a blanket over warm clothes. And so on.

Is the baby hot under the diaper?

The baby may be hot regardless of swaddling. To mom need to be controlled this moment, feel the baby’s neck, see if he is sweaty, if his face is red. Overheating in newborns is considered by pediatricians to be a greater danger than cold, so do not overdo it when wrapping your child.

How to swaddle in hot weather?

In hot weather, you can swaddle a thin diaper directly on your naked body. A thin diaper will even help protect your baby from overheating and harmful effects. sun rays. Just check often to see if your baby is hot. This rule applies regardless of whether you swaddle your baby or not.

Until what age should a baby be swaddled?

You will see for yourself until how many months swaddle your baby. Some babies say goodbye to the diaper earlier, some later. There's nothing wrong if baby up to one year old will fall asleep slightly swaddled. Even older children can be playfully wrapped in a blanket or sheet to calm them down before bed.

How to wean yourself from swaddling?

Normally, there is no need to wean your baby off swaddling. The child will outgrow this need, like many of their other infant needs: rocking, sucking, etc. You certainly won’t have to swaddle your son before the army. If you want to stop swaddling as early as possible, we recommend that by 3 months you switch to swaddling under your arms, put you to sleep in a sling without a diaper, and alternate between being put to sleep with a diaper and without a diaper.

How to combine swaddling with planting?

Swaddling goes great with. It is definitely more convenient to disembark from diapers than from onesies, bodysuits and rompers. When dropping your baby off, you just need to free his butt from the diaper and hold him over a basin or sink, and then wrap him back. In order not to get too wet in case of an accident, you need to put a gauze diaper between the baby's legs and use natural

How many diapers do you need?

Usually 20 thin and 20 flannel diapers are enough. You can divide this quantity by size and buy 10 diapers of each type, smaller in size 90x100 and larger in size 110x110. In the first days it will become clear whether you need to buy more diapers and How many. Newborn diaper Boys need more than older boys than girls (they pee more often).

Should I swaddle my baby at night?

If you practice co-sleeping, especially if your baby sleeps in your arm (side-lying breastfeeding position), then swaddling at night is not necessary. But if the mother needs to put the baby to sleep at night, and still do something around the house, then the diaper will help the baby sleep soundly and longer.

Why swaddle during the day?

It depends on age. The newborn is swaddled so that he adapted better to a new life, was less nervous and developed better. An older baby can be swaddled to soothe him and put him to sleep.

Features of swaddling for dysplasia?

For dysplasia, wide swaddling is used, when several diapers are placed between the baby’s legs. This is done to ensure that the baby’s legs are separated as much as possible. Your doctor will tell you how to do this correctly. Healthy children This type of swaddling is not necessary, even as a preventive measure. But we can recommend it to all babies without exception: the baby’s legs in a sling are spread wide apart, which promotes the healthy development of the hip joints.

So, let's summarize. Swaddling is ancient way of caring for a child, it certainly contains deep wisdom that will also be useful to modern parents. Not all babies need swaddling, but for many of them it will bring peace and sound sleep. Now you know how to properly swaddle a newborn, and why to do it. Try it! If you notice beneficial influence, practice loose swaddling as long as your baby needs it. The answer to the question of whether it is necessary to swaddle a child can only be given by you. Listen to your child, turn on maternal intuition and let the baby grow up healthy and happy!

Some three decades ago, the question of the advisability of swaddling a newborn was not even raised before young parents.

They simply had no other alternative. As a dowry for the baby, they bought a set of diapers and a blanket, and the diapers were made from gauze or from an old sheet.

The modern view of the need to swaddle a baby has changed dramatically. Newborns are dressed in smart suits when they are discharged from the hospital.

Are modern parents right? Do babies need to be swaddled? Let's figure it out.

Proper swaddling of a baby has a number of positive aspects:

It facilitates the baby’s adaptation to new living conditions outside the mother’s womb, in which he was warm and comfortable. The diaper, tightly covering the body of the newborn, seems to return him to the cramped conditions of the mother's womb. That is why a baby wrapped in it calms down and falls asleep faster.
A warmed soft diaper, replacing the warmth of the mother’s body, helps the baby’s body adapt to new temperature conditions.
Once born, the little man experiences severe stress. He often shudders in his sleep, flaps his arms and, touching his face, wakes up. This is exactly what happens to newborns whose arms and legs are left free. If you swaddle the baby, this will not happen and his sleep will be more restful.

Full swaddling

Pediatricians are inclined to believe that swaddling is beneficial for newborns during the first four weeks of their life. With the help of diapers, adaptation to the “new” world will be more harmonious and gentle for babies.

A wrapped baby feels protected (photo)

Babies should only be swaddled while sleeping. During the waking period, it is better to leave them in clothes that do not restrict movement. The best option would be rompers and a vest.
Parents of babies should initially avoid using too tight a method, since in addition to difficulty breathing, it can contribute to hip dislocation.
Diapers must be immaculately clean and ironed. Using an iron with a steamer or sprinkling the surface of the diaper with water while ironing it ensures that the fabric is especially soft and comfortable for the baby. If a baby has urinated on a diaper, it is strictly forbidden to dry it on a radiator - this can lead to the development of diaper rash and irritation of the baby’s delicate skin, even to the development of dermatitis.
Only a washed baby should be wrapped.
If the temperature in the children's room is not higher than twenty degrees, the best option is to swaddle the baby in two diapers: calico and flannel. In a very hot room, gauze is suitable for changing a newborn. This fabric will create optimal conditions for moisture exchange of children's skin.
You can swaddle a newborn on any horizontal surface, but it is most convenient to do this on a changing table: this will prevent unwanted stress on the lower back while caring for the baby. It will also be convenient to carry out the procedure directly in the crib if it has the ability to set it to a second (higher) level.
Before wrapping, put a diaper or diaper on the baby. When using a diaper, you need to make sure that it helps spread the legs. If the diaper is made of thin gauze, a small diaper folded into a rectangle is placed between the baby’s legs.
In addition to the diaper, the baby is put on a fresh thin vest that wraps around the back and a warm one that wraps around the chest.
The room should be warm and draft-free.

Under no circumstances should you leave your baby unattended on the changing table. When leaving the room, even for a few minutes, you should put him in a crib.

The baby needs to learn to control his arms and legs

Swaddling using a swaddle and/or blanket

Swaddling babies can be tight or loose. For many centuries, it was believed that tightly swaddling newborns formed their correct posture and ensured straight legs in the future.

Nowadays, too tight swaddling is recognized not only as inappropriate, but also as a harmful procedure that hinders the natural physical development of the child and can cause serious injury to him.

The tradition of wrapping children in swaddling clothes dates back to Ancient Rus'.

What are the harms of traditional tight swaddling?:

A baby whose limbs were forcibly straightened and fixed in this position is forced to spend hours in a completely unnatural position (in a normal position, slightly spread legs should have maximum freedom of movement).
The movements of a baby accustomed to tight swaddling remain uncoordinated for a long time. He is significantly behind in physical development from those of his peers who had the opportunity to move their limbs freely.
Artificial restriction of mobility leads to the fact that six-month-old and even eight-month-old infants practically cannot roll over or crawl normally.
Tight diapers disrupt normal blood circulation in all parts of the small body. The lungs especially suffer from this, since a compressed chest prevents full breathing.
Disruption of normal blood circulation has equally dire consequences for the formation of the immune system. Tightly swaddled babies subsequently get sick much more often than their peers who are not limited in their movements.
Tight swaddling of straightened legs often leads to dysplasia (congenital subluxation or dislocation) of the hip joint.

There is officially confirmed data that after young mothers in Japan abandoned the traditional tight swaddling of their children's legs as part of a national project, the number of cases of hip dysplasia decreased from 3 to 0.3%.

Watch a video from Dr. Komarovsky about swaddling a baby:

Tight

Classic version:

Lay out two diapers at once on the table, carefully smoothing them out (the flannel one should be at the bottom).
After placing the baby on the diaper, put a diaper on him.
At the time of swaddling, the baby’s arms, extended along the body, are held with one hand.
The right edge of the diaper, passing over the baby's left shoulder, is tucked under his back.
The child's right shoulder is wrapped in a similar manner.
Since the baby's arms, bound by the fabric, lose the ability to actively move, at this moment the hands of the person performing the swaddling are freed. Further manipulations are performed with both hands.
The lower edge (tail) of the diaper is placed on the baby's chest and, wrapping his body, is tucked into the resulting fabric fold.

The classic method of tight swaddling

Swaddling "with a headscarf":

With this wrapping option, the baby's head receives additional protection in the form of an improvised scarf.

A thin diaper is spread on the changing table so that it is slightly higher than the flannel one (in this option, the insulated diaper is placed on top of the thin one).
The newborn is placed on the table so that his head is wrapped with the upper edge of a thin diaper.
The right edge of the diaper is wrapped around the baby's body and placed under the back.
The same is done with the left edge of the diaper.
The “tail” is fixed as in the embodiment described above.

Stages of swaddling using a headscarf

Free

The free method gives the baby the opportunity to freely move his legs, suck a fist or finger, and touch his face with his palms.

The first option is done like this:

Having spread a cotton diaper over a warm diaper, they place the baby on it, already dressed in two vests and a diaper.
The upper part of the diaper should be located at the level of the infant's armpits.
Having tucked the side edges under the baby's back, the lower part of the diaper is lifted and tucked in.
The result should be something like a bag, inside which the baby can dangle his legs freely.
A warm diaper is folded in the same way.

Stages of free swaddling (photo)

Wide

Wide swaddling can be partial - up to chest level and full - up to chin level.

Wide way

Swaddling with head (corner)

A corner that covers the baby's face allows you to protect him from bright sunlight or exposure to cold during street walks.

In the warm season, the newborn's head should be protected by a light cap, and in winter - by an insulated cap.

A baby who is bundled up will not need a cap

When a baby is born, many inexperienced parents are worried about many questions, first of all - how to care for and how to swaddle the baby? After all, this is undoubtedly important for the health and well-being of the baby.

Methods of swaddling a newborn in a diaper

The methods of swaddling a baby are quite varied and convenient. There are quite a lot of types of swaddling, thanks to generations of grandmothers who knew firsthand how to swaddle a baby. The knowledge has been collected over the years and has now been refined and made public.

Types of swaddling:

Medicinal.
Free, no handles.
Tight - like a soldier.
Wide therapeutic, as well as swaddling only the legs.
In a blanket with his head.
Headless swaddling.
Swaddling of arms only.

The list doesn’t end there; you can practice several types at the same time. Now any mother can easily find a suitable swaddling option and learn how to wrap her baby without much difficulty.

Swaddling a newborn algorithm of actions

The algorithm for swaddling a newborn baby is very simple, but, like any other field of activity, it has nuances from a theoretical point of view:

The diaper only needs to be washed and ironed. There can be 2 diapers at the same time during the swaddling process, and for each type of swaddling the product is folded differently;
You should definitely wear a diaper or diaper at the mother’s discretion;
You can wear rompers, bodysuits or vests. The main condition for their use: made from high-quality cotton;
Before wrapping in a diaper or blanket, it is important to wash the genitals well under running or just warm water. Baby wipes are allowed;
After washing, it is necessary to treat the folds with powder, ointments, and oils.

The mother's procedure before swaddling:

unfold, remove the old diaper;
Wash the child well - all the folds and organs of the reproductive system. Wash off old hygiene products;
wipe dry or blot with a towel;
treat folds and genitals with creams, ointments against diaper rash, powder (1 care product to choose from);
put on a diaper or diaper;
spread out a washed and ironed diaper.

Special instructions

Washing and thoroughly drying the genitals is a mandatory procedure before swaddling. If the umbilical cord wound has not healed, the front part of the diaper should be folded back so that it does not put pressure.
Swaddle only in ironed and washed diapers. Repeated swaddling in dirty or unwashed clothing results in skin irritation.
Pay attention to the room temperature. After this, decide to wrap the baby in a warm or thin diaper. It is better to use cotton material for diapers.
Swaddle tightly in extremely rare cases. Pay attention in time to folds of fabric under the back and on the sides and get rid of them immediately.

The baby should be swaddled so that the legs and arms are in a natural position. Don't force them to bend. A friendly voice and a smile from a loved one will help calm the baby during the swaddling procedure.

How to swaddle a newborn in the maternity hospital?

In the last days of pregnancy, expectant mothers are concerned about the following question:

Are babies now swaddled in the maternity hospital?

In the maternity hospital they not only swaddle, but also teach such a simple task. For some, this is difficult; others have no idea how to swaddle a baby. After giving birth, the mother's body becomes very tired and it is more difficult for an inexperienced mother to think about swaddling.

In the maternity hospital, tight and loose swaddling is practiced.

Tight swaddling

At first, a thick diaper is spread on the table, and then a thin diaper on top. A baby in a diaper should be placed in the center. The head should be above the diaper. Do not straighten your arms, but swaddle them in the most natural position.

It is very comfortable for the baby to be under his mother’s heart for all 9 months. It is surrounded by uterine tissue, which envelops the little belly like a cocoon.

When a child is born, he finds himself in a completely different environment. But he also wants to feel warm and protected. For this purpose, swaddling has been invented since ancient times. Many mothers wonder how to swaddle a newborn.

In America, Indian tribes used rabbit skins and dry grass as ingredients for diapers. The used grass was then thrown away and the skins were dried. So the baby was comfortable and dry. In the second century BC, Europe was already beginning to swaddle babies in cloth as reusable diapers.

Our article will highlight all the nuances of swaddling and answer the question up to what age this simple procedure should be done.

Swaddling is a set of measures aimed at creating a comfortable stay for the baby, retaining waste products and preventing diaper rash.

With the help of diapers, favorable conditions are also created for the baby to sleep peacefully.

Facilitates the baby's adaptation to the outside world and brings it closer to the conditions of intrauterine life.
Reduces excessive excitability, since the child may involuntarily wave his arms and legs. This can frighten him and interfere with restful sleep.
Keeps you warm. In children of the first months, thermoregulation processes are not fully developed, and swaddling helps them maintain their normal temperature.
Prevents diaper rash. The fabric is breathable, unlike diapers. And mom will replace wet diapers immediately rather than a diaper, which will prevent prolonged contact of delicate skin with a wet surface.
Development of touch. The soft touch of the diaper will allow the baby to develop this feeling.
During the first baths, you can swaddle your baby in a thin diaper. For him, this will be a kind of protection from the outside world, and so the newborn will not be afraid of the bath and water.

Pediatrician Komarovsky E.O.: “Swaddling a child is not harmful. Buying diapers is much cheaper than baby onesies and rompers. But it’s easier for dads to put on baby vests and rompers. Not the kind of dad who is fluent in the art of swaddling.”

Types of diapers

It is important to study the fabric requirements.

Good quality. The diaper should not tear when stretched.
Absorbent effect. The most important property. The diaper should absorb moisture well and at the same time maintain a “breathable” effect.
Correct edge processing. In general, children's clothes are hemmed using an overlocker. This is necessary to avoid tight seams that can rub the baby’s delicate skin.
Be soft to the touch, without foreign odors. It should not fade when washed.
Only natural materials– chintz, flannel, kulirka, linen, footer, knitwear. Avoid synthetics.
Diaper sizes. Very comfortable in the form of a square with a side of 1.2 m. This is enough for you to easily swaddle your baby.
Do not choose fabric with bright colors so as not to irritate the child. The composition of dyes can be harmful to the skin.
Diapers need to be washed regularly baby powder and iron on both sides.

Types of diapers and their purpose

Calico. Must be made of cotton material. They are usually always closest to the newborn's body. Also used as crib sheets.

Flannel. They are swaddled over calico. They are thicker than chintz and retain heat well. They can be used as a bedspread. In summer you can not use it.

Knitted. Appeared recently. They stretch quite well, soft, gentle to the touch. They are also swaddled under flannel.

Cocoon diapers with Velcro. Modern diapers, which can also be made of knitted fabric. They do not create unnecessary folds. It won’t be difficult for a mother to wrap her baby in such a diaper

Disposable diapers. Not intended for swaddling. Necessary for laying on the changing pad or on the bed so that the baby does not stain the surface. Convenient when going to the clinic. Must not contain synthetic materials.

How many diapers should I take?

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Mom Elena, 28 years old: “I bought 10 flannel and 10 cotton and knitted diapers for my daughter. It was enough, even a little too much. We could have swaddled a couple more babies. A very comfortable diaper - a cocoon, I had only one copy of it. My daughter loved to fall asleep in it.”

Required minimum baby dowry for swaddling

flannel - 5 pieces;
calico - 5 pieces;
Velcro diapers - 1-2 pieces;
disposable diapers.

Classic swaddling with handles. Option #1

We spread a cotton diaper on the changing table so that there are no wrinkles. We place the baby in the center of the diaper so that the head lies above the edge of the fabric.

We place our left hand on the baby's chest, and wrap one end of the diaper under the baby's back. We do the same with the right handle, and also wrap the second edge of the diaper under the back.

We straighten the lower corners, cover the baby's chest with the lower edge and place the right corner under the newborn's back, and the left corner over the baby's right shoulder. We tuck a small corner into the fold on the baby’s chest.

The diaper should not crumple or create unnecessary folds. This will interfere with the baby's sleep.

Swaddling with handles. Option No. 2

We spread the diaper. We bend the edge a little at the top. We hide the baby’s right hand in the resulting pocket. Now we place this hand together with the diaper on the stomach and cover the baby’s right side with the diaper.

Then we do the same with the left edge of the diaper. We straighten the bottom edge and bend it under the knees.

Swaddling with handles. Option No. 3

We spread the diaper into a diamond shape. Fold the top corner. We lay the baby down so that his head is above the diaper. We hold the baby's right hand and place the corner of the diaper behind the baby's left side through the armpit.

And the other lower corner is over the child’s left shoulder. We wrap the left corner of the diaper around the baby's body. The free bottom can simply be folded under the legs.

When the temperature is high, you cannot swaddle your baby.

Used in the treatment of hip dysplasia and for the prevention of congenital dislocations. This swaddling creates a “frog pose” to unload the joints.

Everything is as usual. We spread the diaper on the changing table. Fold it diagonally to make a triangle.

We place the larger edge of this triangle under the baby’s lower back. It is better to put on a gauze diaper even before the diaper.

We place the bottom corner of the diaper on the tummy, and place the side corners on top on the baby’s belt. You can wear a vest on top.

Swaddling with head

Favorite type of swaddling immediately after birth in the hospital. We spread the diaper and place the newborn so that the head is below the edge of the diaper. We wrap the baby. First, we bring one edge behind the back, while fixing the handle, then the second. The bottom edge can be placed on the breast and secured.

In this position, the baby sleeps very comfortably; it is difficult for him to even move his head, so unnecessary movements will not wake him up.

Tight swaddling

Back in Soviet times, it was believed that this type of swaddling helped straighten the legs. But, as it turned out, this was an erroneous version.

Tight swaddling prevents the baby from breathing and developing normally, so it has been abandoned lately.

Let's go for a walk

In cool weather, you still need either a blanket or a warm envelope over the diapers. First, you swaddle your baby in any convenient way. Then spread out the blanket in a diamond pattern and wrap the baby up. The upper corner of the blanket can cover your face from strong winds or frost.

Until what age do we wrap babies?

In general, a child should be swaddled until he is three months old. This is the period when the baby is already starting to roll over onto his tummy, and extra diapers will interfere with his ability to explore the world.

You can swaddle your head only for the first week of your baby’s life.

Pay attention to how your baby sleeps. If he doesn't wake up from shaking his arms or legs, you can swaddle him freely.

Some parents even put on baby vests and rompers almost at birth.

A modern take on how to swaddle a newborn baby

If the baby is calm, then swaddle for up to a month.
Observe your baby's behavior.
The maximum age for swaddling is 4 months.
It is not recommended to swaddle for a long time; it will delay motor development.

The process of swaddling is very important in the life of children. This way it allows the baby to feel his mother’s hands, warmth, and care. And if both parents are doing this, then this will free up a few minutes for mom to relax. Everyone chooses what is convenient for them. And, as it turned out, swaddling is not harmful, but even useful.

Be healthy!

Debates about the benefits of swaddling newborn babies have continued for decades. If you are a supporter of using diapers and are expecting your first child, then you definitely need to familiarize yourself with the ways in which you can swaddle your baby.

Why do you need to swaddle your baby?

Even if the mother plans to put rompers on her baby from the first days, she still needs to master the basics of swaddling. For example, giving a child medicine or cleaning his nose is much more convenient when the baby’s hands are wrapped in a diaper and do not interfere with the mother’s necessary manipulations.

In the womb in the last weeks of pregnancy, the baby is as if in a cozy cocoon. Every child experiences stress when they are born. Swaddling helps the baby get used to its new environment.

In addition, the following facts speak in favor of swaddling:

A baby wrapped in swaddles sleeps sounder and longer.
A swaddled baby experiences physical and psychological comfort.
The possibility of fright from involuntary sudden movements of the handles is excluded.
The diaper retains heat better, therefore reducing the risk of colds.

Main types of swaddling of newborns

Today, not all young mothers are familiar with the rules of swaddling newborns, although this skill will definitely be useful to them when they are babies.

Our grandmothers and mothers also used 3 methods of swaddling babies - tight, loose and special wide swaddling for babies who have joint problems.

Whatever method of swaddling you use, it must be done on a flat surface. Today's mothers just need to purchase a special changing table, a wide range of which is available in any baby store.

Today there has been a whole wave of protest against tight swaddling. More and more specialists in the field of pediatrics are talking about the dangers of this method. But if you think about it, this method of swaddling has been used almost since the birth of the first person. If everything were so bad, then humanity would have died out long ago, but everyone who was tightly swaddled in childhood feels great. Therefore, we will still describe this method of wrapping a baby in diapers.

A diaper is spread on the changing table so that its wide side is perpendicular to the baby’s position. The upper edge of the diaper is folded slightly and the baby is laid so that the head is located above the folded edge.

The baby's arms are stretched along the body, they take the diaper by the upper left edge and move it to the right side, straightening the excess diaper under the baby's back. Then, in the same way, take the diaper by the upper right corner and wrap it behind the back to the left. The bottom of the diaper is tucked along the length of the legs under the back. The edges of the canvas are folded over to the front side and secured, wrapping around each other.

Since diapers tend to shrink after the first wash, and babies grow up quickly, to make it more convenient to swaddle a child, the diaper is spread on the table with one angle up, that is, like a diamond.

The video shows tight and loose swaddling of a newborn baby

Free swaddling of babies can be done in two ways:

Wrap the baby together with the arms, leaving them in a position comfortable for the child.
Swaddle only the lower part of the body, leaving the arms free.

In the first case The swaddling process is carried out in the same way as tight swaddling, only the diaper is not pulled tightly to the baby’s body, but a small space is left inside the cocoon so that the baby can move his arms and legs.

With the second method The baby is wrapped only to the waist. Moreover, if you are worried about the slenderness of the baby’s legs, you can wrap the diaper tighter. But since it has already been proven that the method of swaddling does not affect the straightness of the legs, it is better to leave the baby space for movement by wrapping the diaper around the waist not too tightly.

For healthy babies who do not have problems with the development of joints, this method of swaddling is not used. Wide swaddling is used for medicinal purposes.

In this case, a soft spacer made of a diaper or tightly folded fabric 20 cm wide is placed between the baby’s legs, and only then swaddling is carried out.

The video explains in detail the methods of treating hip dysplasia and wide swaddling.

Until what age can a baby be swaddled?

Even pediatricians do not give a definite answer to what age a child should be swaddled. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the baby himself.

All experts agree on only one thing - after 3 months, swaddling must be abandoned.

Until this time, each mother decides individually how long the baby should be in diapers, whether to use them only while sleeping or when the baby is awake. Many young parents refuse diapers altogether immediately after leaving the hospital.

In any case, while the baby is not sleeping, it is better to use loose swaddling with open arms. The faster the baby gets used to calmly reacting to involuntary hand movements, the better. Gradually, during sleep, you need to leave the child’s hands free, so that by 2-3 months you will completely abandon diapers.

Swaddling babies depending on the season

For a long time, warm flannel and light cotton fabrics have been used for swaddling children.

During the cold season babies are first wrapped in a cotton diaper, and then also in a warm diaper. In summer, in warm weather, they mainly use only light fabric.

In any case, you need to pay attention to the child’s behavior.

If the room is cool and the baby is freezing, in order to prevent hypothermia, he is swaddled in 2 warm diapers, and, if necessary, covered with a blanket. In this case, the baby should wear a warm cap on his head.

You need to monitor your baby no less carefully in hot weather. . To avoid overheating, do not use tight swaddling. Try to hold your baby with his arms free as much as possible. While the baby is awake, you don’t have to use diapers at all to avoid sweat rashes.

Every baby handles cold or hot weather differently. Carefully monitor the baby's condition to prevent hypothermia or overheating of the little man.

Good afternoon, my dear readers! Do you know how to swaddle a newborn? Probably, in the era of little men and bodysuits, we think less and less about outdated diapers and undershirts. Today we will talk about what is better - swaddling in diapers or dressing a newborn in loose clothes.

Whether it is necessary to swaddle a newborn in diapers is up to each mother to decide individually. You still have to wear it. Swaddling refers specifically to swaddling with diapers. Dressing rompers and blanket men is no longer swaddling. If you use reusable cotton diapers, then putting them on is also called swaddling, but only swaddling diapers.

Let's look at what diapers exist:

Tight swaddling;
Free swaddling;
Wide swaddling;
Swaddling in a sleeping diaper bag.

The opinion on whether or not to swaddle a newborn is divided not only among mothers, but also among pediatricians.

Some consider this necessary, others consider it a relic of the Soviet past. In any case, if you swaddle a newborn, then only in the first 2-3 weeks of life (longer - less often).

This is explained by the fact that a newborn, accustomed to the tight and comfortable mother’s tummy, finds himself in a cold and vast world. He feels scared and uncomfortable in it. To help your baby adapt to a new life, you need to try to provide him with conditions that will resemble his previous cozy nest. Swaddling in warm swaddles and blankets gives the newborn a feeling of warmth and security. This way he adapts to the world around him faster.

2. Tight swaddling

Tight swaddling was used in maternity hospitals during Soviet times. It was believed that this way the baby would not wake himself up with his hands, would not get scratched, and it would be easier for the medical staff to deal with him. This is now considered an outdated method. They have already abandoned it in favor of free swaddling.

Still, I'll show you the algorithm of actions such swaddling in pictures. You might find this useful:

Here you can see that the newborn is swaddled with arms, and the head is left open. The tension of the diaper itself may vary.

Dear mothers, if you decide to swaddle your baby in a column, that is, tight swaddling, try not to do it too “tight”; blood should circulate freely in the baby’s veins and not stagnate.

In general, I want to say that the point of such swaddling itself is to ensure that the legs are fixed.

The downside of this method is that you can squeeze the baby’s fragile body in such a way that it can subsequently cause physical injury, displacement or damage to the hip joint. You can also get psychological discomfort.

In addition to the shown method of tight swaddling, there is also swaddling with a head, that is, the corner of the diaper is located above the level of the head in order to receive the baby in an envelope upon completion. The head is swaddled in a blanket or warm diaper when going outside in the cool season. The ends of the diaper or blanket are pinned, or simply tucked under and secured with tape.

3. Free swaddling

Free swaddling does not provide for clear fixation of the legs; on the contrary, the legs under the swaddle are in motion.

At the same time, first they put a vest on the baby, and then swaddle the legs. The diaper is wrapped at chest level, under the arms. This is a free swaddling of the legs. The baby can move them while remaining warm.

Plus This type of swaddling is that you can save on onesies, from which newborns outgrow so quickly.

Minus the fact is that in a month the child will be kicking his legs so much that he will take off these diapers and freeze if his mother is not nearby. You can find videos on the Internet on how to swaddle a baby correctly and safely.

4. Sleeping bag

Free swaddling can also be done with handles. Fortunately, progress does not stand still and the masses have launched the production of special diapers - sleeping bags. Such bags completely cover the child, giving him a feeling of comfort and warmth in a limited space, like in a mother’s stomach.

Meanwhile, the child has the opportunity to move, nothing is pinched, and he won’t be able to open up. These diaper bags are elastic, the baby can toss and turn without feeling stiff:

With a sleeping bag, a mother, especially an inexperienced one, will not have to think about how to properly swaddle her newborn, and also so as not to disturb anything.

5. Wide swaddling

Dear mothers, once again I want to remind you that it is up to you to decide how to swaddle your baby, but it must be a safe way.

If the baby is swaddled incorrectly, the baby may get dislocated, or the joints and bones will grow incorrectly. Then there will be a high probability of developing hip dysplasia.

If the doctor has already diagnosed dysplasia in the newborn, special medical restraints and wide swaddling will help. That is, in addition to free-style swaddling, you need to place a diaper folded several times or a special pad between the baby’s legs. In this method, the legs are fixed in an extended position.

6. Avoid swaddling

Many young mothers who live in the modern world and do not tolerate any outdated methods in caring for their children, refuse swaddling in favor of baby clothes for newborns.

Why, they think, should they restrict the baby’s movements and bother with winding these diapers? Without a doubt, rompers, bodysuits and people for newborns are more convenient for mom to use.

But we must not forget about the natural need of a newborn for shelter, for the comfort that he feels, wrapped in a blanket, curled up in a ball of warmth. This helps him painlessly move from the small world of his mother’s tummy to the big world.

In the first weeks of his life, the baby must sleep in a limited space. That is, it is better to sleep in a small crib or cradle, and not on a large bed, if your mother is not nearby. Even after dressing in a comfortable little person, the baby will also be more comfortable wrapped in a blanket in winter or a diaper in summer. Let it just take cover, and not drag on. It’s more pleasant for him that way.

The famous doctor Komarovsky also does not encourage modern mothers to strictly adhere to swaddling, but does not dissuade them from it either. It is also necessary to take into account the individual developmental characteristics of a particular child, and the pediatrician will help determine this, he believes:

I want to summarize. Dear mothers and grandmothers! If you want to swaddle your baby, then do it according to the instructions of the medical staff and my recommendations. Then the child will not be at risk of dislocation or stress.

If you don’t want to swaddle him, then please create a comfortable transition for your baby into the big world. Then you may need sleeping bags or swaddles that cover the baby's body and are secured with clasps.

In any case, the diapers should not only be clean and soft, but also ironed before swaddling so that the baby feels their warmth. I hope that my tips are useful to you. If you liked the article, share the material on social networks and do not forget to subscribe for updates. See you soon!

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