Great Expectations Pregnancy

Answers from Pregnancy and Baby Experts.

  • Articles
    • Trying to Conceive
    • Pregnancy (general)
      • 1st Trimester
      • 2nd Trimester
      • 3rd Trimester
    • Symptoms
    • Labor and Delivery
    • Baby Gear
    • Parenting (general)
      • Toddler
      • Preschooler
  • About Sandy & Marcie
  • Book Titles
  • Contact

Swaddling 101

Sandy & Marcie Jones Leave a Comment

Newborns love the secure feeling of being tucked tight in a baby burrito.

Here are the steps:

From SageDiaper.com

From SageDiaper.com

Newborns arrive easily startled and without a lot of control of their arms and legs, and in the first weeks after birth it comforts and calms them to be wrapped up tight in a baby bundle. But don’t be fooled by how easy postpartum nurses make it look- mastering the swaddle can take practice!

First, you need fabric—a 28” by 28” receiving blanket is a good size. Material that’s a little elastic, like cotton jersey, will help you get a tighter tuck. Put your blanket down in a diamond, and fold the top corner down to make a “collar.” Put your baby in the middle, with the edge of the fold you just made at about chin height.

Pull the left side of the blanket over the right side of your baby’s chest and tuck it under the left side, making sure his right arm is firmly tucked in.

Next, pull the bottom corner up and over his feet, and tuck that under his right side.

Finally (and quickly, before he kicks off his foot cover) take the right corner and pull that around the baby’s front, securing his left arm, and tuck that fabric into the “collar” behind his right shoulder.

If your baby seems to hate swaddling and frees his arms within minutes every time, try a “spa towel” style wrap with his hands free. And if he doesn’t seem to like that, either, or you can’t get the hang of it, don’t despair— babies grow out of swaddling by one month of age, and in the meantime, you can get the same cozy result with a front carrier.

More from my site

  • Got New-Mom Fog? Why Your Mind Plays Tricks on You After BirthGot New-Mom Fog? Why Your Mind Plays Tricks on You After Birth
  • Do’s and Don’ts to Visiting a Baby Over the HolidaysDo’s and Don’ts to Visiting a Baby Over the Holidays
  • Nine Horrifying/Shocking/Weird Things People Don’t Tell You About Having a BabyNine Horrifying/Shocking/Weird Things People Don’t Tell You About Having a Baby
  • 10 Things to Do the Day You Bring Baby Home10 Things to Do the Day You Bring Baby Home
  • Five Ways To Better Sleep For ParentsFive Ways To Better Sleep For Parents
  • How Clean is Clean Enough with a Crawling Baby?How Clean is Clean Enough with a Crawling Baby?

Filed Under: Featured, Baby (General) Tagged With: baby, postpartum, newborns

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

About The Authors

We're mothers and mom experts. As baby experts, we're here to answer your questions and to offer news and advice. Learn More

Follow Us on FacebookFollow Us on TwitterFollow Us on PinterestFollow Us on RSS

Articles by subject

  • Nutrition
  • Trying to Conceive
  • Easy-Not-Queasy Recipes
  • Fitness and Exercise
  • Pregnancy (general)
  • Symptoms
  • 1st Trimester
  • 2nd Trimester
  • 3rd Trimester
  • Labor and Delivery
  • Featured
  • Baby (General)
  • Baby Gear
  • Toddler
  • Preschooler
  • Parenting (general and dads)

Recent Comments

  • JosephCruts on What is ‘Adjusted Cycle Length’?
  • Baliqees on What Does ‘Unstable Lie’ Mean?
  • Monica Treacy on Swollen Ankles! What Can I Do?
  • Marcus Hilderbrand on Why Do Feet Swell During Pregnancy? What Can You Do?
  • M. N. Guptha on What Does ‘Unstable Lie’ Mean?

© 2019 Great Expectations Maternity. All Rights Reserved.

This site is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Visitors to this site should regularly consult a physician for all health-related problems and routine care during pregnancy, after birth, and for their children.