Can I leave my babies arms free even though swaddling?

Most swaddling experts encourage tucking both arms in to avoid twitching (moro reflex) and facial scratches from those sharp tiny nails. Even so, leaving one arm free may well make your baby a lot more comfy and most parents try this as they are weaning their newborn off swaddling.

The hand-to-mouth reflex is a natural action that your baby is used to doing and it was probably doing inside the womb. You’ll be able to leave each arms free, but it defeats the purpose and might mean that it truly is time to stop swaddling.

NY Times reviews techniques on helping baby’s cry less

 

I know parents hate when they have to deal with taking their baby’s to the pediatrician for shots because they all the eventual outcome. The outcome being a tearful and fearful baby who is feeling pain and discomfort that he/she does not enjoy.

The good news is parents have some ammunition to soothe a crying baby.  As summarized by NY Times and educated by pediatrician, Dr. Harvey Karp, there are the 5 S’s for the parents to do when trying to calm a crying baby:

The first S is swaddling – wrapping babies in blankets

The second S is side or stomach – hold babies in this position if fussy

The third S is suck – allows babies to soothe themselves

The fourth S is swaying – the motion is soothing & relaxing

The fifth S is shushing – the sound is soothing & relaxing

Parents can try these remedies in any particular order, but should give each a try because the combination of all these 5 S’s will help remind the newborn of their experience in the womb, when everything was peaceful.

Source:

NY Times Article – Making Baby’s Shots less tearful

Why I swaddle my baby !

I started to swaddle my newborn because it helped him sleep for a longer time. After I brought him home from the hospital, we stopped swaddling him because we didn’t have any blankets on us. My son would wake up every hour after each feeding and even that one hour, it was difficult to get him to fall asleep. 

As a sleep deprived mom and dad, we went searching for answers. We immediately found stories of moms and dads using a swaddle blanket to help their newborn sleep. A lot of parents were adamant about swaddling and recommended it without hesitation. We quickly purchase some swaddle blankets and started swaddling our son.

The impact of swaddling wasn’t immediate, but over the course of a week, I found swaddling to be effective as people described. Why swaddling helps? First, I notice how swaddling creates a steady routine for the baby. We un-swaddle my son for feeding, diaper change, or baths. After any of these events, we immediately swaddle him again. In the swaddle state, my son knows its time for sleep and does not create much of a fuss because of it. A routine schedule a practice keeps newborns in sync with what is expected of him.

Secondly, a swaddle baby is inhibited from moving around too much. The restraint reduces the chance a baby will wake himself up when he gets into an uncomfortable position.    Additionally, babies have quick movements when something loud is echo in the background.  These loud noises instigate a quick reflex movement that tends to wake up the newborns.  When swaddle, babies do not startle themselves awake and are able to sleep longer. 

Take advantage of swaddling and find the right swaddle blanket for your newborn!

Reason #2 to swaddle your newborn

Why do I swaddle my baby?

The first reason is swaddling lower SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) because swaddling helps infants sleep in the supine position. But, the benefits don’t stop there. Moms already know another benefit when they first held their swaddle baby.


As I rewind thru the video of my son’s birth, I can see how stunned and distressed he was as he entered into this world.  He was shouting his poor lungs out and did not yield at all as the doctors checked him up. His howling subsided only after he was wrapped in a swaddle blanket.

I'm not happy! - Swaddle me please

Thanks for swaddling me!

 A newborn has hibernated in the mother’s womb for almost 9 months (mine stayed in there for only 34 weeks, 6 days) and has developed a comfort level there. While in the womb, the newborn does not weep or shed any tears because it’s guarded in its very own Eden. Swaddling will aid a newborn to re-create this amazing moment in his life; where he has nothing to fret about. In the womb, he is provided for, kept warm, and shielded by the mom. A swaddle blanket will answer two of those  frustrations.

First, infant are not use to the cold surroundings when they come out. The human body temperature averages 37 degrees Celsius and he comes into a world that averages 23 degrees Celsius. Additionally, a babe do not have much body fat for insulation and this is especially true for premature babies. A tight swaddle around the babe will help protect the baby and keep him comfy as he enters a cold world.

Second, the blanket will work like a shield to assist decrease strange hands from roughing him up. The swaddle blanket will help keep bacteria away from the body.  Now, individuals might come and stop by to see and touch the newly delivered infant and having him wrapped in a clean blanket will help keep bacteria off his skin.  The swaddle blanket is habitually changed out out and clean to lessen the possibility of germs infecting the baby.

Overall, the noticeable advantage for moms and dads is witnessing the newborn yell less when he is swaddle. As the environment of the womb is re-created, the little one will remember the good times and will relax down from their uneasy states.

Reason #1 to swaddle your baby

My son, Aaron, swaddle and sleeping in the supine position

The benefits of swaddling has been time tested and recent studies by Dr. Rachel Moon and etc. at the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington DC, found “parents who routinely used swaddling were more likely to find it effective and to place their infant supine when swaddled.” (1)



What does this mean?
The benefits of supine sleeping position is not much of a debate and has been the recommend by US pediatricians since 1992.  All pediatricians agree, infants who sleep in the supine position will reduce the likelihood of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).  A study by Skadberg, Morild, & Markestad in 1998 (2) supports the recommended supine position and shows the supine position can greatly reduce occurrence of SIDS.  The supine position reduces SIDS by reducing the possibility of blocking the air ways (nose & mouth).

Overall, supine position is the way parents need to put their baby to sleep.  One method to train infants to sleep in this position is by swaddling.  Thus, reason #1 to swaddle is to reduce the occurrence of SIDS by training your infant to sleep in the supine position.

Definitions:
Supine position – baby’s back is against the mattress (sleeps on the back)
Prone position – baby’s back is facing up away from the mattress (sleeps on the belly)

References:
(1) Swaddling: Will It Get Babies Onto Their Backs for Sleep?, R. Moon, etc, 2011
(2) Abandoning prone sleeping: Effect on the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, Skadberg, Morild, & Markestad, 1998

My research into swaddling brought me to Wikipedia and this is the first image that caught my eye.  This is a painting depicting a swaddle Jesus in the arms of  Mary. It shows swaddling has been around for ages and as early as the time of Jesus' birth.  In these days of increase knowledge, technology, savy, newborns are still swaddle in hospitals.  Nurses wrap babies in burrito shape rolls for parents to hold right after delivery. While wrapped up the mom gets to hold their newborn in her arms for the first time.

I know there are people who are concern that swaddling might be harmful for kids and they are right to be concerned because swaddling can be harmful if not done correctly. When babies are swaddle parents typically are not actively being watch because babies are put to sleep and parents go to sleep themselves during this time.  Thus, swaddling newborns correctly is vital for baby safety and I'll list the benefits of swaddling in a later post.

If babies have been swaddle for generations, then your baby can be swaddle too.
My new mantra; Swaddle your baby like Jesus.