How to Properly Swaddle a Baby: Complete Guide Plus Safety Tips

Swaddling a baby is a kind act on behalf of a caregiver to provide their baby with genuine comfort and soothing sleep.

Firstly, choose a soft blanket. It will wrap snugly around the baby’s body so it can’t be too bulky.

As the baby will be fully wrapped and not able to get out, ensure the blanket is not too warm as babies cannot unwrap the cover nor regulate their body temperature.

However, you can get blankets in muslin or thinner cotton for warmer places or times of year, so do not think you cannot swaddle unless it is ice and snow outside!

Place the blanket in a diamond shape so that one of the corners is by you and fold over the corner opposite to you on top to make a flat edge; the baby lies on this piece of cloth and their shoulders lie just below the flat edge of the blanket.

Place the baby with their toes nearest to you. Take the left corner of the blanket and tuck it under the baby’s bottom on your right side, smoothing out the fabric.

You can find a fantastic range at www.cuterascals.com in many colors, weights, and styles.

Take the bottom corner, by you, and fold it over the baby’s shoulder on your right side again, smoothing out the fabric. Then take the right corner and place it across the baby’s front and around their back, smoothing out the fabric for the final time.

Swaddling should be close (not tight) on the upper body, but must give the legs freedom of movement for baby to vary between straighter legs and the natural ‘frog’ leg position by keeping the lower swaddle loose.

You should swaddle the baby for the first two months as once they can begin to move and turn it can become unsafe.

After this time, a sleep sack is a perfect alternative with lots of room for leg movement and safe shoulder clips to avoid any lose fabric around their face.

Check our Top 5 Uses for Baby Receiving Blankets. Learn the 5 different practical uses of a receiving blanket to make the most out of it.

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Liliana

Liliana is a Licensed Montessori teacher known for her passion and dedication to education. She's been a teacher in the United States for many years, and she truly believes that education is the key to making the world a better place because today's students are tomorrow's leaders. Her experience with Toddlers, Beginners, VPK with Montessori methodology approach; Kindergarten, and first grade made her an authority and trusted resource. Liliana's family taught her important qualities like love, a positive attitude, strong motivation, and leadership. These values have guided her on her journey to becoming a professional and expert teacher. Her mission is to help children grow and contribute to a brighter future for the country.