Swaddling your baby is a technique that is endorsed by such parenting experts as Harvey Karp, M.D., author of "The Happiest Baby on the Block." When your baby is in the womb, she is kept snug and contained, and she often craves that containment when tired or in need of soothing. You can swaddle your baby with nothing more than a couple of receiving blankets. Try it for a better night's sleep or to calm your otherwise fussy baby.
Step 1
Spread the receiving blanket on a flat surface horizontally. Fold down the top right-hand corner of the blanket 5 inches. Rotate the blanket counter-clockwise so that the flat, folded edge is the farthest away from your body and found at the top of the blanket. Receiving blankets are best for newborns, but as your baby ages and grows, you may choose another lightweight, stretchy blanket ideal for swaddling.
Step 2
Fold a second receiving blanket in half horizontally, and place horizontally across the first blanket, with the fold of the second blanket lining up with the down-turned corner of the first so that both blankets lay flush against each other. The corners of the first blanket should extend past the edges of the second folded blanket.
Step 3
Place your baby with her neck against the folds created by the blanket, so that her head is unencumbered by the blanket when you roll her up. The tops of her shoulders should line up with the top folds of both blankets. Blankets obstructing your baby's nose and mouth could cause suffocation, an underlying cause of sudden infant death syndrome, points out the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission.
Step 4
Wrap the horizontally folded blanket around your baby by pulling the right side around and tucking it into the left side, underneath your baby's body, and pulling the left side of the blanket and tucking it into the right side underneath your baby's body to form a burrito-like swaddling. At this point, her feet will still be left unwrapped.
Step 5
Secure the swaddled blanket by taking the left triangle of fabric from the bottom blanket and tucking it into the right side, under your baby's body. Then, flip up the bottom corner of the first blanket and smooth it over your baby's belly. Finally, pull the right triangle of fabric around and tuck it on the left side underneath your baby's body for a snug baby.
Things You'll Need
- 2 receiving blankets
References
- "The Happiest Baby on the Block"; Harvey Karp, M.D.; 2008
- CSPC: CPSC, Gerber, BPHC, BET Launch Campaign to Lower African-American SIDS Rates
- Parents: Swaddling Your Baby: The Quick Wrap
