Swaddling Goes Against My Gut. Why Do It?
Many parents say that the first time they tried swaddling was a disaster. The baby struggled; they sweated; the hospital nurse frowned. Swaddling a frantic baby feels pretty wrong… like you are forcing your poor baby to do something she hates. But I strongly encourage you not to give up. Snug wrapping is the key to peaceful days and restful nights.
Note: the first 10 times you practice swaddling, do it when your baby is calm or asleep, not when she is fussy and thrashing.
Why does wrapping work so well? Here are three ways it reduces fussing:
1. The sweet touch of swaddling.
Skin is the largest organ of the body, and touch is our most ancient, calming sense. We all know how delicious the touch of our baby’s skin feels, but for babies, touch is more than a nice sensation – it’s as lifesaving as milk! In fact, many babies who are given milk but never held or touched may wither and die.
Swaddling is a similar experience to being carried in a sling or cuddled skin to skin, but its big advantage is that it envelops her body with a soft caress that can soother her for hours when she can’t be in your arms.
2. Swaddling prevents spiraling out of control.
Wrapping keeps your baby from accidentally whacking herself and getting even more upset. Before birth, your uterus kept her arms from spinning like a windmill. Without those soft walls stopping her flailing, small upsets can quickly escalate. (Have you noticed how much calmer your little one is when she is “wrapped” in your arms?)
3. Swaddling helps babies pay attention to soothing.
Crying makes babies feel like their heads are filled with loud warning sounds. Each jerk and startle sets off another alarm. All those rapid-fire jolts cause such chaos that your infant may not even notice your attempts at comforting.
Swaddling reduces those distractions and offers a reassuring embrace that says “It’s okay. Mama is taking over now.”