After nine months in a mother’s womb, it’s normal for a newborn baby to seek out a womb-like haven to sleep in. They crave that warm, affectionate environment where they feel safe and well supported. Now you can actually give your baby this experience by wrapping them in a soft cotton blanket. This process is called swaddling for short. Swaddling is an ancient practice that has been shown to benefit newborn babies. that’s why.
#1 Sleeps tight.
It is recommended that babies get enough sleep, which is 8 hours. But of course, the longer the better. Sleeping more than 8 hours a day ensures maximum physical and mental development for your newborn. Research has shown that swaddled babies experience prolonged and deep sleep. Because of the startle reflex, they have no unnecessary moments of waking up. As you know, newborns are very sensitive to noise and are not used to having a lot of room to play, so you will see them startled for no apparent reason. Swaddling can prevent or reduce a baby’s startle reflex.
#2 Act calm.
Because swaddling gives them a feeling of warmth, safety, and security, babies are less likely to feel anxious and therefore more calm or behave well. They feel the peace and comfort that swaddling brings. They cry less often, so parents, babysitters, or nannies have less pressure to care for them. They will grow into peace-loving people who are better at handling complex situations.
#3 is not very demanding.
Babies can actually be demanding if you do what they want. For example, give them comfort items like pillows and stuffed animals to stop them crying. This in turn makes them ask people to grow up. Instill satisfaction in them through swaddling when they are babies. With swaddling, your baby won’t be looking for those comfort items, so they’ll grow contented and independent.
#4 Avoid self-harm.
Newborns love to touch anything around them. They like to practice different senses such as touching, holding and even chewing, so it is important to keep them in a safe and secure corner of the house. Now, if you just put them in a bassinet, stroller, or crib, obviously their two hands are free to do whatever they want, including scratching their face and eyes or tapping their nose and mouth, which makes them cry loudly or feel irritable. Swaddling can help you avoid all these bad moves.
#5 Great pose.
Your baby’s sleeping position can actually affect their posture. If they sleep on their side, they will develop a hunchback as they grow. This position restricts their breathing, which is very dangerous. To avoid these situations, try using a swaddle. This practice helps your baby sleep on their back so they can breathe normally and grow in good posture. You can also place their hands on their hearts when they are wrapped so they can learn to calm themselves down.