How to Swaddle a Baby Safely

Swaddling is wrapping a baby tightly in a blanket. To safely wrap a baby, the blanket must comfortably support the baby's body, but not so tightly that the baby's head needs to be exposed for them to breathe. Swaddling can help babies sleep better because it helps soothe babies by simulating conditions in the womb, helping to stop them waking up when noise or movement triggers the startle reflex. However, there are some potential risks when swaddling is used incorrectly or at the wrong baby age. So how to swaddle a baby safely?

Spread the square blanket out on a flat surface, placing it so that the corners point north and south, like a rhombus. Fold the top corner down to the middle third of the blanket. Lay the baby face up on the blanket so their shoulders are aligned at the top of the blanket. Hold the baby's left arm straight against their body, and wrap the left corner of the blanket around them. Sandwich it between their right arm and the right side of their body. Straighten your right arm against their body, and fold the right corner of the blanket over them. 

Tuck the blanket under their left side. Twist or fold the bottom of the blanket loosely and tuck it under baby's side. Make sure your baby's hips and legs can move. Check that the blanket is not too tight by placing two to three fingers between the baby's chest and the swaddle. If the fingers don't fit properly, the swaddle is too tight. If there's room to spare, it's too loose. Adjust or redo the swaddle until it fits, then put your baby to sleep on their back. Always make sure they are swaddled on their back.

Swaddling is usually safe if a person uses the correct technique. But it's possible to overheat a baby if wrapped in a warm blanket on a hot day, or when the baby is wearing layers of clothing. Or wrapping a baby too tightly may increase the risk of hip dysplasia. Infants who sleep on their side or on their front are at increased risk of SIDS. Loose blankets may also increase the risk of suffocation. Wrapping securely and making sure the baby is on their back can reduce the risk.