Wrapping your baby in a receiving blanket, or swaddling, can help him feel warm, settled and secure during his first few weeks of life. Swaddling can also prevent your baby from being wakened repeatedly by his startle reflex. While swaddling may appear complicated to first-time parents, the technique is actually very simple and takes only seconds to complete. You can use most baby blankets for swaddling, but receiving blankets generally work the best due to their thickness and size.
Step 1
Lay a receiving blanket on a flat service, such as on a bed or the floor. The blanket should be in the shape of a diamond, with the bottom corner nearest your body.
Step 2
Fold the top corner of the blanket down about three inches. Make sure the folded corner is flat by smoothing out any wrinkles or creases with your hand.
Step 3
Place your baby down on the receiving blanket, with the top of his head just above the top edge of the folded corner and his feet nearest your body.
Step 4
Grab the left corner of the blanket and pull the blanket across your baby's chest. His left arm should be flat against his left side. Tuck the edge of the blanket under the right side of your baby's back, under his arm.
Step 5
Pull the bottom corner up toward your baby's chin. Fold the corner down so that it rests below his chin and does not touch his face. Make certain his feet are snug without being cramped.
Step 6
Rest your baby's right arm against the right side of his body, and then pull the right corner of the blanket across his chest. The blanket should be snug but should remain loose enough across his chest to allow for easy breathing.
Step 7
Pick your baby up, holding the blanket in place, or place him in his crib to sleep. If he seems uncomfortable or attempts to move his arms, you can remove his arms from the blanket and swaddle only his body and legs. Some babies prefer to keep their arms free.
Tips and Warnings
- You can start the swaddling process on either side of your baby's body. The direction of swaddling does not matter. Do whatever feels most comfortable.
- It is not safe to swaddle your baby once he begins to roll over. Doing so may cause him to become trapped on his stomach, increasing the risk of suffocation and SIDS.
