How to Swaddle a Baby

For thousands of years, parents have swaddled their babies as a way to help them feel safe and secure. Swaddling helps protect your baby against his/her natural startle reflex, and this can help everyone sleep better. If you’re desperate for some sleep yourself, or you’re an expectant parent looking for all the tips and tricks, then you’re in the right place. Swaddling may seem like an art form now, but we’ll tell you everything you need to know to swaddle like a pro.

Why swaddle?

Before we get into the swaddling process, we’ll go over the benefits of swaddling. Many parents don’t realize how much it can help, so they don’t bother to do it.

• Swaddling helps calm a colicky baby
• Swaddling helps prevent scratching
• Swaddling prevents SIDS by keeping unnecessary items like pillows, blankets, and stuffed animals out of your baby’s crib
• Swaddling keeps your baby on his/her back while he/she sleeps
• Swaddling allows your baby to sleep longer and better
• Swaddling helps eliminate anxiety by imitating touch

Step-by-Step Swaddling

1. Spread out your swaddling blanket

Always swaddle on a soft, flat surface. Start by arranging the blanket in a diamond shape with the bottom of the diamond pointing toward you.

2. Fold down the top edge of the blanket

With the top edge of your diamond now folded down, you should have created a loose triangle shape. Place your baby in his/her shoulders just below with the flat edge of the triangle and his/her feet pointing down toward you.

3. Position your baby

Next, you’ll position your baby’s arms. His/her right arm should be placed next to his/her body with his/her arm slightly bent. Then, pull that same side of the blanket up and over your baby’s right arm and body. Tuck it underneath of your baby, leaving his/her left arm free.

4. Fold the bottom of the blanket

Fold the bottom of the swaddle up and over your babies’ feet and tuck it into the top of your swaddle so everything remains snug.

5. Finish off strong

Finish off your swaddle by replicating the right side’s actions for the left side. Place your baby’s left arm along the side of his/her body (slightly bending it). Then, take the remaining swaddle and wrap it over their arm and chest. Tuck the remaining fabric under your baby to secure the swaddle

There you have it! While it may take a little bit of practice, you’ve got the basics. The real key is to keep everything as snug as possible, so your baby appears like a little baby burrito.

Final thoughts

Swaddling can be a lifesaver for parents looking for a way to soothe their crying baby. And although not every baby loves to be swaddled, every baby loves Minky blankets. So, invest in a few of those, and you’ll be safe either way. Visit here to shop all of our baby blanket designs.