Swaddling has a number of key benefits—for babies and their parents: Many babies who are swaddled experience less anxiety, and sleep longer and more soundly.
See below for how to swaddle your baby safely:
- The neck must be fitted to avoid a baby’s head slipping down into the swaddle. To check for the correct fit, you should be able to fit two fingers in the neck hole when being worn.
- Swaddles should allow for full chest expansion when breathing
- The hips and legs need to be able to flop outwards into a natural position while the baby sleeps. Tight swaddling across the hips that hold the legs together is thought to contribute and increase developmental dysplasia of the hip (DDH).
- Babies don’t regulate their body heat very well and rely on their coverings to keep them warm but not hot. Do not overdress a baby underneath their swaddle and never cover their head at sleep time (e.g. with a hat or beanie).
- Swaddling needs to be secure, without any chance of fabric draping over the baby’s face.