Hip Dysplasia and swaddling

The occurrence of Hip Dysplasia is making the headlines news.  Parents should be concern if they are not familiar with swaddling because improper swaddling can trigger Hip Dysplasia.  Here are some things parents need to pay attention to when swaddling.

1. Swaddle with enough room for hip to move
2. Do not straighten the newborn's leg from the frog position
3. If you are still unsure about swaddle, then I recommend getting some swaddle sacks. These sacks will create a nice swaddle for the chest and arms, while leaving enough room for the legs and hip to move without much restriction.

Source:
http://www.abc2news.com/dpp/news/swaddle-your-baby-but-do-it-safely

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

Best Swaddle Blanket: ABC news reports on the benefits of swaddling. Wat...

Best Swaddle Blanket: ABC news reports on the benefits of swaddling. Wat...: ABC news reports on the benefits of swaddling. Watch the video as nurses and doctors continue to support swaddling.  Go purchase some swaddl...

ABC news reports on the benefits of swaddling. Watch the video as nurses and doctors continue to support swaddling.  Go purchase some swaddling blankets! and give swaddling a try on your newborn.



Source:
http://abclocal.go.com/kabc/story?section=news/health/your_health&id=8634799

Pediatrican Medical Journal outlines some benefits

A systematic review article of swaddling was published in the medical journal: Pediatrics.
The journal reviewed the studies that monitored the impact of swaddling newborns and it's effect on temperature.

It summarizes that...

there is evidence that swaddling can be favorable for temperature control, but there is a risk for hyperthermia when misapplied. 

Source:
http://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/120/4/e1097.long

Parents need to know these facts about SIDS

A lot of the articles talks about how swaddling reduce the occurrence of SIDS.  Well, what is SIDS exactly?  SIDS is an acronym for Sudden Infant Death Syndrome and it is the abrupt and unexplained death of a baby under the age of 1 year.  Many babies who fall victim to SIDS are found in their cribs and that is why people may refer to SIDS as “crib death.”  But cribs are no the culprit and cause for SIDS.

Here are some facts that you need to know about SIDS:

1.       SIDS is the leading cause of death for babies age 1 to 12 months

2.       Most SIDS death happen in babies under six months old

3.       Babies placed to sleep on their stomachs are much more likely to die of SIDS than babies placed on their backs to sleep

4.       Babies are more likely to succumb to SIDS if they are placed to sleep on top of a soft bedding or if they are covered by soft bedding

Here are some ways you can help to lower the risk of SIDS:

1.       Always place baby on his or her back to sleep (even for naps)

2.       Place your baby on a firm mattress & safety approved crib

3.       Remove soft, fluffy, stuffed toys, and loose bedding from your baby’s sleep area

4.       Remove anything that is covering your baby’s face and head during sleep

5.       Do not allow smoking around the baby

6.       Don’t let your baby get too warm during sleep

7.       Use a clean & dry pacifier when placing your baby to sleep

Let everyone who cares for your baby know that they must follow all these

Another study printed in the Turkish journal of Pediatrics found swaddling to be helpful in keeping babies asleep for longer periods.  

Daytime sleep and wake periods of ten swaddled infants were periodically recorded by their mothers. The babies were swaddled above the waist for the first four days of the second, third and fourth months of life. During the next four days of the same months, the same infants were monitored with no swaddling. Comparison of the two sleep situations (swaddled and unswaddled) demonstrated that the increase in the total daytime sleep was statistically significant when the baby was loosely swaddled above the waist.

Give swaddling a try and see if it will benefit your newborn!