How to swaddle your head in a diaper. Three ways to swaddle a newborn in photos. Two basic techniques for swaddling small babies

Swaddling is a very important process, skills in which will be useful to a young mother during the first months of her baby's life.

At first glance, swaddling is not difficult. But not all mothers succeed in swaddling a child so that he is comfortable the first time. There are a number of nuances in swaddling that you should definitely consider: whether you need to swaddle a newborn in hot weather, which swaddling method to choose, and so on.

Do I need to swaddle a newborn?

The need for swaddling was not in doubt several decades ago. But modern mothers are offered different methods of child care, including those that consider swaddling optional. To swaddle the baby or not is up to the parents. But before taking one of the points of view, it is worth considering all the advantages and disadvantages of swaddling.

Pros of swaddling:

1 Getting into the open environment from the womb is stressful for a newborn. In the last month, the walls of the uterus tightly covered the baby, and he was in the same position almost all the time.

Therefore, now that there is much more space, it is difficult for a child to control his movements. Abrupt and spontaneous movements scare the baby.

It is better that during the period of adaptation to the external world the child is in a more familiar position. In the diaper, the baby is warm and comfortable, and this is so necessary for the newborn to feel safe.

2 Newborns sleep much better and more soundly in a diaper.

Babies who are put to bed in sliders often wake up frightened by uncontrolled movements of arms and legs.

3 Saving is also an important aspect for every young family. You will need a lot of diapers, but buying them will cost much less than a large number, sliders and blouses, which, moreover, will constantly turn out to be small for a growing child.

Cons of swaddling:

1 Swaddling is not suitable for children with weakened muscle tone. For such babies, loose clothing or an envelope is the best choice.

2 Newborns are advised to be put to sleep on their tummy, and in a diaper, this position becomes very uncomfortable. Lying on his tummy, the baby tries to pull the knees to the stomach, and pull the arms forward.

3 Swaddling a baby takes longer than just putting on pants or a blouse. If the mother is in a hurry, for example, when collecting to the clinic, then it is better to put clothes on the child than to swaddle him hastily.

Up to what age should a baby be swaddled?

The time when the process of adaptation of the newborn is completed is individual for each baby.

Sometimes swaddling is not required within a few weeks after birth, while in other cases, the baby is uncomfortable without a diaper for six months.

Most often, at the age of 1.5-3 months, it is enough to swaddle only the baby's legs, while leaving his hands free. But there is no clear framework regarding the period of swaddling.

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Parents need to monitor themselves how the baby behaves without a diaper: whether he falls asleep well, whether he wakes up often. If anxiety persists during sleep, it is better to continue to swaddle the baby, and by all means make sure that the baby does not have any diseases or disorders that cause him anxiety.

How to swaddle your baby correctly?

Like all newborn care procedures, swaddling has clear rules.

Failure to comply with the norms of the technique can lead to a violation of the baby's hygiene, the appearance of psychoemotional and physiological abnormalities in him.

A nurse in a maternity hospital should show the correct swaddling technique to a new mother. If a woman attended special courses, then, most likely, she also has an idea of ​​the swaddling technique. But the difficulty arises in the fact that during the courses, mothers train in swaddling on dolls, and in real life, a baby will have to swaddle, which will constantly move.

A few rules of preparation for proper swaddling:

1 The child is washed or bathed, and the excess moisture is gently removed with a soft towel. If necessary, treat the skin with powder or cream.

A disposable diaper or its gauze counterpart must be worn under the diaper.

2 Even new diapers need to be washed and ironed thoroughly. It is better if the iron is equipped with a steam generator, then the fabric will remain soft and the baby will be more comfortable. If the iron does not have this function, you can simply spray water on the diaper when ironing.

3 It is most convenient to swaddle your baby on a special changing table. Its height allows mom not to strain her lower back, constantly bending over to the crib. Some cribs have pull-out tables, or you can purchase this attachment separately. A homemade changing table can be made by re-equipping any table of the optimal height: you just need to cover the tabletop with a small mattress or soft fleece fabric.

4 Before the start of the procedure, the baby is put on a clean undershirt made of thin material, with a fastener on the back, or better - on the chest.

5 The air temperature in the room in which the procedures will be carried out must be at least +23 degrees. It is necessary to ventilate the room, but there should be no drafts.

What types of swaddling methods are there?

There are several methods of swaddling, which have both advantages and disadvantages:

1 Tight swaddling. With this method, the baby is swaddled with handles. Pediatricians advise to resort to tight swaddling only in the case of hyperactive children.

This method has many disadvantages, for example:

• The arms and legs of the baby have to be straightened forcibly;
• A diaper too tight prevents proper blood circulation;
• Psychological aspect - the child develops a habit of obeying;
• The risk of developing hip dysplasia increases.

You need to properly perform tight swaddling like this:

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2

Free. The most acceptable option. This method allows you to calm down the baby without forcing his movements.

With free swaddling, the baby can take the position that seems most comfortable to him.

The principle of free swaddling is as follows:

3

Wide. This method should not be confused with free swaddling: its principle is to leave the baby's legs in a wide-apart position (about 60 degrees).

A diaper and a small pillow are placed between them. Instead of a pillow, covers with Velcro on the hangers or special panties are sometimes used.

This is how a wide swaddle is performed with normal diapers:

• Three diapers are taken, one of them is folded into a triangle. We put the baby on it;
• The second diaper should be folded several times and placed between the legs of the crumbs;
• The diaper between the legs is fixed with the ends of a triangular fabric, wrapped around the hips.
• With the help of the third, the rest of the diapers are fixed on the stomach. The handles remain movable.

The wide swaddling method is optimal for children with disabilities in the development of the musculoskeletal system, a mild form of pelvic dysplasia.

4 Swaddling with the head. The "envelope" method, when the top edge of the fabric is above the baby's head, and not above the shoulders, is necessary for walking.

Do I need to swaddle a newborn in the summer?

If the baby cannot fall asleep without a diaper, it is not worth canceling this procedure even in the heat. In summer, you can use only chintz diapers, no flannel. They are made from pure cotton, a very soft material that can absorb excess moisture and participate in the process of thermoregulation.

Summer nights are not always warm enough to put a baby to sleep in the same diaper. If the weather cannot be called hot, it makes sense to cover the baby with a light flannel blanket.

A person who sees a newborn baby usually has an instinctive desire to wrap it up in something soft. Most moms do that. They learn how to swaddle a baby, and the diaper becomes trueassistant in the first year of life... And sometimes it is more important for mothers to provide the baby with the opportunity to move without restrictions from the very first seconds of life, leaving the baby without diapers. Which is better - swaddling a newborn or freedom? How to swaddle correctly and is it worth doing it at all? How to solve a baby changing issue? Let's try to figure it out.

Secrets of a regular diaper or why and how to swaddle a newborn?

The truth, as always, is somewhere in between. On the one hand, the newborn really needs to be warmed, to help him understand the boundaries of the body, so that he felt relaxed and protected as in the womb. Most babies need soft adaptation to the new conditions of their existence. It is necessary to get used to such a stunning change in external circumstances gradually. And excellent helpers in this, first of all, the skillful mother's hands, the warmth of her body. Mom can take the newborn, warm it, pressing it to the stomach or chest. Provide healing skin-to-skin contact ... Then a diaper is not needed.
But to modern young mothers lack of confidence in handling newborns ... Often, the first newborn that a woman sees is her own baby. In the first minutes and days, theoretical training does not help much. All the subtleties are comprehended in practice. This is where the "grandmother's" diapers come in handy. A swaddled baby is easier to take and easier to carry. And babies very often calm down and sleep soundly in diapers. There is an opinion that babies up to 40 days old do not need clothes at all, only diapers. And this makes a certain sense. After all, for a mother without experience, it is much more difficult for a mother to put on a crying baby a bodysuit and sliders than just wrap it in a diaper .

Pros of swaddling:

• babies feel calmer in a diaper
• swaddled babies sleep longer and stronger
• saving on newborn clothes
• diapers will later come in handy in life with a child

Vit is important not to go too far : do not swaddle tightly and do not keep the baby in diapers all the time. Swaddling tightly, especially when straightening the legs and arms, is unambiguously harmful (see tab with WHO recommendations) .The diaper should create a soft, comfortable shell inside which the baby can freely move the arms and legs ... The baby should be able to pull out the handle, or two at once, or even get out of the diaper when he grows up a little. In this sense, stretch knitted diapers are convenient. And it's easier for an inexperienced mother to swaddle in them. In general, it would be ideal if someone showed the new mother all the intricacies of swaddling and taught how to swaddle correctly. Look at snippet video tutorials "Newborn care" at the bottom of the page, which shows the so-called wide swaddling with free legs.

Difficulties in swaddling:

• there is a possibility of overheating if the baby is wrapped up too warmly.

So what to do - to swaddle or not?

A universal rule for parents "Focus on your own child" helps in this matter as well. There are days when the baby falls asleep perfectly anyway, and sometimes the baby cannot fall asleep until he feels "like in a tummy." Be flexible and look at the child. If you notice that the baby is getting out of the diapers, it means that he does not need them now. Some babies quickly grow out of swaddling with handles, but wide free swaddling legs soothes them and helps to sleep better for a while. There is a way of swaddling "under the handles", just for such cases. Or you can replace swaddling with a cute sleeping bag, for example.
There are children who are clearly protesting against diapers happy birthday. In this case, there is no need to insist. You just need to more often, giving an intrauterine position. Take a closer look at your baby, listen to his wishes.

Swaddling	No swaddling
Advantages
many babies feel calmer in a diaper sleep longer and better a ripe baby is easier to hold in the arms of a young mom and dad You can save on your newborn's clothes Diapers will later come in handy in life with a child.	baby moves more hardening you can save on diapers no need to learn to swaddle
Difficulties
you need to practice to swaddle quickly and dexterously there is a possibility of overheating the child	the baby can throw himself up during sleep and wake himself up with the movement of the arms and legs toddler may be more anxious in the first months

At the same time, WHO emphasizes that not all babies need swaddling... Most in need of swaddling: restless and easily excitable, often shuddering, children waking up during sleep; premature (in this case, free swaddling helps to stabilize physiological functions and the development of the neuromuscular system); children with brain damage. Tight swaddling, when the legs and arms of the baby are straightened and firmly pressed to the body, and then fixed with a diaper, according to the WHO, it leads to dysplasia, impaired blood circulation, and delayed development of neuromuscular coordination. In addition, the risk of overheating increases significantly.

What you need for changing

Thin chintz or knitted diapers, about 20pcs. Size 110x110 cm

This is the basic diaper. She is thin, breathable, it is difficult to overheat the baby in her. In the heat, the baby can be swaddled in a thin diaper right naked, and when it is cooler - on the undershirt. We recommend this diaper size for newborns since it is convenient for changing and will last longer. Smaller diapers are likely to be provided at the hospital.

Flannel diapers (flannel)20 pcs. Size 100x100 cm

These nappies will come in handy for the first weeks. The baby is wrapped with a flannel diaper over a thin chintz or knitted fabric. It turns out a tight, good bundle, in which a newborn is comfortable, and which is convenient for a young mother to wear. Moreover, it is additional insulation which some kids need to fall asleep easier. Gradually, as the baby grows, there is no need to swaddle in flannel diapers. But they will serve for a long time as comfortable bedding and bed sheets for all occasions: and a stroller, and in a crib, and to a doctor, and so on.

"Lazy" diapers, diapers with fasteners, envelopesetc.

These modern inventions and gadgets are designed to make life easier for a mom who can't swaddle child. They can be useful and convenient, but they are definitely not essential items. The good old grandmother's diapers work just as well, and are incomparably cheaper. A changing bag can be handy for walking and traveling in a car seat, just make sure it has slots for your seat belts.

Changing area

A baby changing table with many shelves or even a whole changing chest of drawers is of course very convenient, especially for handling a newborn in the first couple of weeks. But if space in the apartment is limited, you can easily do without these pieces of furniture. You don't even have to buy a changing board or a padded changing mattress. It is also convenient to swaddle a child on an adult wide bed or a cot with a removed wall. Breathable natural waterproof will help protect the bed from getting wet. Somewhere nearby, at arm's length, it would be nice to place shelves for all sorts of needs: diaper cream, cotton pads, a supply of diapers and diapers. Watch the video at the bottom of the page on how to do this. This arrangement of the changing area has many advantages:

• more free space in the room,
• no need to buy furniture that will only be needed for a short time
• it is safer than a tall baby changing chest or changing table.

Attention! Never leave your baby alone on the baby changing table, even for a second. When you reach for the diaper with your other hand hold the baby... If you cannot reach something, take the baby in your arms. Even if the baby does not roll over or crawl, there is still a danger that he falls off the changing table.

Swaddling technology - how it's done step by step

There are many ways to swaddle a baby. We offer you the easiest, most convenient, safe and time-tested. You were probably swaddled the same way when you were a newborn baby.

1. Lay your baby across the sheet on the long side, in the middle.
2. Take the upper left corner of the diaper and place it under your baby's right armpit.
3. Take the upper right corner and place it behind the baby's back on the left side.
4. Take both lower corners of the diaper in both hands, pull them slightly towards you and spread them out.
5. Throw the bottom edge of the diaper over the baby's arms, wrap the baby loosely and secure it on the back, tucking the corner under the edge of the diaper.

It is necessary to swaddle freely, but it is more reliable to fix the diaper. We should have a cocoon, inside which the baby moves his arms and legs, while the structure does not fall apart. Practice and you will succeed!

Boil and iron diapers? well, I do not

The good news is that you don't have to boil and iron mountains of diapers every day. Of course, wash and iron all the baby's dowry in preparation for childbirth is not prohibited. This meditative and rewarding activity contributes to the development and tunes mom in the right mood... But after the birth of a baby, you can forget about ironing with a clear conscience if you have an automatic washing machine with a washing program of 90 * and a convenient clothes dryer. On a truly comfortable dryer, you can even hang diapers even with one hand, holding your baby with the other hand or in a sling.
Chances are, you won't often need to wash your diapers at high temperatures. For normal daily washing, the 75 * C program is sufficient. Additional rinsing will not hurt either. Boiling (or doing a 90 wash) and ironing the diapers on both sides can come in handy for severe dermatitis or intestinal and other infections.

Changing FAQ

How to swaddle your baby correctly?

There are quite a few ways to swaddle, you can watch master classes on youtube, try several and choose the most convenient one. The main thing is not to swaddle tightly, not to immobilize the baby, to swaddle so that the baby has the ability to move inside and get out of the diaper when he needs it.

What to wear under the diaper?

Depends on the situation and temperature. If the baby is newborn and the house is warm, then you can swaddle over a thin undershirt or even naked. If you need a diaper to put you to sleep a grown-up baby, we swaddle over the pajamas. If the baby will sleep in a stroller for a walk, swaddle with a blanket over warm clothes. Etc.

Is the baby hot under the diaper?

The baby can be hot regardless of the swaddling. Mom need to control this moment, feel the baby's neck, see if he is sweaty, if his face turns red. Overheating in newborns is considered a greater danger among pediatricians than cold, so do not overdo it when wrapping your baby.

How to swaddle in the heat?

In hot weather, you can swaddle with a thin diaper directly on your naked body. A thin diaper will even help protect your baby from overheating and harmful effects. sun rays. Just check often if your baby is hot. This rule applies regardless of whether you are swaddling a baby or not.

Up to what age to swaddle a baby?

You will see for yourself up to how many months swaddle your baby. Some babies say goodbye to the diaper earlier, some later. There is nothing wrong if baby up to a year will fall asleep slightly covered. Even older children can be wrapped in a blanket or sheet while playing to soothe them before bed.

How to wean from swaddling?

Normally, there is no need to wean a child from swaddling. The child will outgrow this need, like many of his other infant needs: motion sickness, sucking, etc. You certainly won't have to swaddle your son before the army. If you want to stop swaddling as early as possible, we advise you to switch to swaddling under the arms by the age of 3 months, put to sleep in a sling without a diaper, alternate between laying with a diaper and without a diaper.

How to combine swaddling with landing?

Swaddling goes well with. Getting out of diapers is definitely more convenient than out of overalls, bodysuits and romper suit. When planting a child, you just need to free the ass from the diaper and hold it over a basin or sink, and then wrap it back. In order not to get very wet in case of an accident, you need to put a gauze diaper between the baby's legs and use natural

How many diapers do you need?

Usually 20 thin and 20 flannel diapers are enough. You can divide this quantity by size, buy 10 diapers of each type, smaller than 90x100 and larger 110x110. In the first days, it will become clear whether it is necessary to buy additional diapers and how. Newborn diaper it takes more than a grown-up, boys more than girls (they pee more often).

Do I need to swaddle my baby at night?

If you practice sleeping together, especially if the baby sleeps on your arm (breastfeeding position lying on its side), then swaddling at night is optional... But if the mother needs to put the baby to sleep at night, and she still needs to do something around the house, then the diaper will help the baby sleep better and longer.

Why swaddle during the day?

It depends on the age. The newborn is swaddled so that he adapted better to a new life, was less nervous and developed better. An older baby can be swaddled to soothe and nap.

Features of swaddling with dysplasia?

With dysplasia, a wide swaddle is used, when several diapers are placed between the baby's legs. This is done so that the baby's legs are divorced as much as possible. How to do it correctly, your doctor will tell you. Healthy children this type of swaddling is not needed, even as a preventive measure. But all babies, without exception, can be recommended: the baby's legs in the sling are wide apart, which contributes to the healthy development of the hip joints.

So, let's summarize. Swaddling is an ancient way of caring for a child, it certainly has a deep wisdom that will be useful to modern parents as well. Not all children need swaddling, but for many of them it will bring peace and sound sleep. Now you know how to swaddle a newborn correctly, and why to do it. Try it! If you notice beneficial influence, practice free swaddling for as long as the baby has a need for it. The answer to the question of whether you need to swaddle a baby can only be given by you. Listen to your child, turn on maternal intuition and let the baby grow up healthy and happy!

Some three decades ago, the question of the advisability of swaddling a newborn before young parents did not even stand.

They simply had no other alternative. A set of nappies and a blanket were purchased as a dowry for a baby, and diapers were made from gauze or from an old sheet.

The modern view of the need to swaddle a baby has changed dramatically. Newborns are dressed in smart suits already upon discharge from the hospital.

Are modern parents right? Should babies be swaddled? Let's figure it out.

Swaddling your baby correctly has a number of positives.:

1. It facilitates the adaptation of the baby to new living conditions outside the mother's womb, in which he was warm and comfortable. The diaper, tightly covering the body of the newborn, as it were, returns him to the cramped conditions of the mother's womb. That is why the baby wrapped in it calms down and falls asleep faster.
2. The warmed soft diaper, which replaces the warmth of the mother's body, helps the baby's body to adapt to the new temperature conditions.
3. Having been born, the little man experiences severe stress. He often flinches in his sleep, waves his arms and, touching his face, wakes up. This is exactly what happens to newborns, whose arms and legs are still free. If the baby is swaddled, this does not happen and his sleep will be calmer.

Full swaddling

Pediatricians tend to believe that swaddling is beneficial for newborns during the first four weeks of their life. With the help of diapers, adaptation to the "new" world for babies will be more harmonious and gentle.

Having become somewhat accustomed to the environment, the baby will lose the habit of reflexive raising of the limbs, and their movements will become more smooth and coordinated. There is no special need for swaddling a one and a half month old baby. It makes sense in night swaddling only for those babies who continue to throw up their arms during sleep.

It is impossible to give any categorical recommendations here. In each case, it all depends on the behavior of the baby himself. If it is difficult for him to fall asleep without swaddling or his sleep is interrupted by frequent awakenings, then the time has not come to give up the diapers.

The wrapped baby feels protected (photo)

• Babies should be swaddled only during sleep. During the waking period, it is better to leave them in clothing that does not hinder movement. The best option would be sliders and a vest.
• Parents of babies should initially abandon the too tight method, because in addition to difficulty breathing, it can contribute to a dislocation of the hip.
• Diapers must be spotlessly clean and ironed. Using an iron with a steamer or sprinkling the surface of the napkin with water during ironing ensures a special softness of the fabric and comfort for the baby. If the baby urinated on the diaper, it is absolutely impossible to dry it on the battery - this is fraught with the development of diaper rash and irritation of delicate baby skin, up to the development of dermatitis.
• Only a washed child should be wrapped.
• If the temperature in the nursery is not higher than twenty degrees, the best option is to swaddle the baby in two diapers: chintz and flannel. In an overly hot room, gauze is suitable for swaddling a newborn. This fabric will create optimal conditions for the moisture exchange of baby skin.
• You can swaddle a newborn on any horizontal surface, but it is most convenient to do it on a changing table: this will prevent unwanted stress on the lower back while caring for the baby. It will also be convenient to carry out the procedure directly in the crib, if it provides the ability to set it to a second (higher) level.
• Before wrapping, a diaper or diaper is put on the crumb. When using a diaper, you must make sure that it promotes the spreading of the legs. If the diaper is made of thin gauze, a small diaper folded in a rectangle is placed between the baby's legs.
• In addition to the diaper, the baby is put on a fresh thin undershirt that is wrapped around the back and warm, wrapped around the chest.
  The room should be warm and free of drafts.

Under no circumstances should your baby be left unattended on the changing table. Leaving the room, even for a few minutes, you should put it in a crib.

The baby needs to learn how to control the arms and legs.

Swaddling with a diaper and / or blanket

Swaddling for babies can be tight and loose. For centuries, it has been believed that swaddling tightly in newborns gives them the correct posture and guarantees straight legs in the future.

In Russia, for tight swaddling of babies, they used a swaddle - a special strip of dense homespun cloth (at least twenty centimeters wide). The baby wrapped in a diaper was wrapped from head to toe with this ribbon over the diaper. As a result of this swaddling, the baby, unable to move its limbs, lay in the crib like a soldier in a stand at attention.

Nowadays, swaddling too tightly is recognized not only as inappropriate, but also as a harmful procedure that restrains the natural physical development of the child and can seriously injure him.

The tradition of wrapping children in diapers dates back to ancient Russia

What is the harm of traditional tight swaddling:

• The kid, whose limbs were forcibly straightened and fixed in this position, is forced to spend hours in a completely unnatural position (in a normal position, slightly spread legs should have maximum freedom of movement).
• The movements of an infant accustomed to tight swaddling remain uncoordinated for a long time. He significantly lags behind in physical development from those of his peers who had the opportunity to freely move their limbs.
• Artificial limitation of mobility leads to the fact that six-month-old and even eight-month-old babies practically do not know how to roll over or crawl normally.
• Tightly tightened diapers disrupt normal blood circulation in all parts of the small body. This is especially true for the lungs, since a compressed chest prevents proper breathing.
• Disruption of normal blood circulation has equally dire consequences for the formation of the immune system. Tightly swaddling babies subsequently get sick much more often than their peers who are not limited in movements.
• Tight swaddling of straightened legs often leads to dysplasia (congenital subluxation or dislocation) of the hip joint.

There is officially confirmed data that after, within the framework of a national project, young mothers in Japan abandoned the traditional tight swaddling of their children's legs, the number of cases of hip dysplasia decreased from 3 to 0.3%.

Watch a video from Dr. Komarovsky about swaddling a baby:

Tight

Tight swaddling is sometimes called full swaddling, because with it the baby is wrapped in a swaddle from the shoulders to the feet. This method is relevant for children from the moment of birth to two to three months. There are two main types.

Classic version:

1. On the table, they spread, carefully smoothing, two diapers at once (the flannel should be at the bottom).
2. Putting the baby on the diaper, put a diaper on him.
3. At the time of swaddling, the baby's arms, stretched along the body, are held with one hand.
4. The right edge of the diaper, passing over the left shoulder of the baby, is tucked under his back.
5. The right shoulder of the child is wrapped in the same way.
6. Since the baby's arms, tightened with cloth, lose the ability to actively move, at this moment the hands of the person performing the swaddling are released. Further manipulations are performed with both hands.
7. The bottom edge (tail) of the diaper is placed on the baby's chest and, wrapping his body, tucked into the formed tissue fold.

The classic tight swaddling method

Swaddling "with a headscarf":

With this wrapping option, the baby's head receives additional protection in the form of an impromptu headscarf.

1. A thin diaper is spread on the changing table so that it is slightly higher than the flannel one (with this option, the insulated diaper is placed on top of the thin one).
2. The newborn is placed on a table so that the top edge of a thin diaper is wrapped around its head.
3. The baby's torso is wrapped with the right edge of the diaper and placed under the back.
4. Do the same with the left edge of the diaper.
5. Fixation of the "tail" is carried out as in the above-described embodiment.

Swaddling steps using a headscarf

Free

This method of swaddling, which does not hinder the movements of the baby, is more gentle, since the pose with crossed arms and legs pulled up to the tummy is as close as possible to its intrauterine position in the mother's womb.

The free method gives the baby the opportunity to freely move his legs, suck a fist or finger, touch his face with his palms.

There are two options for free swaddling for newborns: with the first option, only crumbs are free. In the second option, neither arms nor legs are limited in movements. The use of an envelope for newborns, which does not restrain the movements of the child, in this sense can be considered a good alternative to traditional swaddling.

The first option is performed like this:

• Having spread a calico over a warm diaper, they put a baby on them, already dressed in two undershirts and a diaper.
• The upper part of the diaper should be at the level of the infant's armpits.
• Having tucked the side edges under the baby's back, the lower part of the diaper is lifted and tucked in.
• As a result, you should get a kind of a bag, inside which the baby can freely swing his legs.
• A warm diaper is rolled up in the same way.

Stages of free swaddling (photo)

Wide

This type of swaddling is used for babies with disabilities in the development of the hip joint, musculoskeletal system and if dysplasia is suspected. The essence of this method is that the legs of the newborn are widely divorced and fixed in this position.

To fix the lower limbs, use a folded diaper or (in special cases) Frejk's pillow. In some sources it is called "perinka", splint or bandage. Thanks to this method, the baby's legs take on a natural physiological state for them: half-bent, with a dilution of sixty degrees.

To help modern mothers for wide swaddling of babies, special panties and covers equipped with Velcro in the shoulder area are produced. In the absence of these devices, you can use the traditional swaddling method using three diapers.

Having folded one of them into a triangle, they place the baby on it. Another, folded several times, is inserted between the child's legs. The side edges of the first diaper are wrapped around the baby's thighs, fixing an impromptu pad. The lower edge of the triangle, passing between the baby's legs, is fixed with the same sides.

The upper corners of the third diaper are wrapped obliquely around the baby's tummy. The lower “tail” is folded up and tucked under an impromptu belt. If the swaddling is done correctly, the legs of the crumbs should be slightly fixed and tightened.

Wide swaddling can be partial - up to chest level and full - up to chin level.

Wide way

Swaddling with a head (corner)

This way of wrapping up the mother's baby is called an "envelope". In this case, the diapers are laid out in the form of a rhombus, and the baby is laid on top of them so that his head is in the lower part of the upper corner.

The side edges of the diapers are wrapped in the same way as in all the methods described above. The lower edge is either placed on the baby's chest and fixed in the traditional way, or wrapped behind the back and, having rounded the baby's body from the sides, is tucked into the formed fold in front.

The corner covering the baby's face allows you to protect him from bright sunlight or the effects of cold during outdoor walks.

In the warm season, the head of the newborn should be protected by a light cap, in the winter - by a warm cap.

When walking on a hot day, it is advisable to limit yourself to only one diaper (if the heat is exhausting, the diaper should be gauze). With the onset of cold weather, a warm blanket is wrapped over the baby's diapers.

A baby wrapped up with a head does not need a bonnet

Do not give up swaddling a newborn baby in the first weeks of his life. Providing comfort and a sense of security, it makes it easier for the baby to adapt to the harsh conditions of life outside of mom's tummy. Correct swaddling should be gentle and provide the baby with the ability to move freely.

When the baby was born, many inexperienced parents are worried about many questions, first of all - how to care for, and how to swaddle a baby in a diaper? After all, this is undoubtedly important for the health and well-being of the baby.

Ways to swaddle a newborn in a diaper

The methods of swaddling a baby are quite varied and convenient. There are a lot of varieties of swaddling, thanks to generations of grandmothers who knew firsthand how to swaddle a baby in a swaddle. Knowledge has been collected over the years, now it has been improved and made public.

Varieties of swaddling:

• Therapeutic.
• Free, no handles.
• Tight - a soldier.
• Wide therapeutic, as well as swaddling only the legs.
• In a blanket with a head.
• Swaddling without a head.
• Swaddling pens only.

The list does not end there, you can practice several types at the same time. Now any mother can easily find a suitable swaddling option and learn how to wrap her baby without any particular difficulties.

Swaddling a newborn action algorithm

The algorithm for swaddling a newborn baby is very simple, but, like any other field of activity, it has nuances from a theoretical point of view:

• the diaper needs only washed and ironed. There can be 2 diapers in the process of changing at the same time, and for each type of changing the product folds in different ways;
• you should definitely wear a diaper or diaper at the discretion of the mother;
• you can wear sliders, bodysuits or undershirts. The main condition for their use: production of high quality cotton;
• before wrapping in a diaper or blanket, it is important to wash the genitals well under running or just warm water. It is allowed to use baby wipes;
• after washing, it is necessary to treat the folds with powder, ointments, oils.

Mom's procedure before swaddling:

• unfold, remove the old diaper;
• wash the child well - all the folds and organs of the reproductive system. Wash off old hygiene products;
• wipe dry or blot with a towel;
• treat folds and genitals with creams, ointments for diaper rash, powder (1 care product of your choice);
• put on a diaper or diaper;
• spread the washed, ironed diaper.

special instructions

• Washing and thoroughly wiping the genitals is a mandatory procedure before swaddling. With an unhealed umbilical cord wound, the front part of the diaper should be folded back so as not to press.
• Swaddle only in ironed and washed diapers. Repeated swaddling in dirty or washed clothes will irritate the skin.
• Pay attention to room temperature. After that, wrap the baby in a warm or thin diaper. It is better to use cotton diaper material.
• Swaddling tight in extremely rare cases. Pay attention in time to the folds of the fabric under the back, in the sides and immediately get rid of them.

The baby should be swaddled so that the legs and arms are in a natural position. Do not bend them forcibly. The benevolent voice and smile of a loved one will help to calm the baby during the swaddling procedure.

How to swaddle a newborn in a maternity hospital?

On the last days of pregnancy, expectant mothers are worried about the question:

Are children being swaddled in the hospital now?

In the maternity hospital, they not only swaddle, but also teach such a simple matter. For some it is difficult, someone has no idea how to swaddle a baby in a diaper. After giving birth, the body of a woman in labor gets very tired and it is more difficult for an inexperienced mother to invent swaddling.

In the maternity hospital, they practice tight and free swaddling.

Tight swaddling

At first, a dense, and a thin diaper is spread on the table. A baby in a diaper should be placed in the center. The head should be above the diaper. Hands should not be aligned, but swaddled in the most natural position.

The baby is very comfortable to be under the mother's heart for all 9 months. It is surrounded by the tissues of the uterus, which, like a cocoon, envelop the small belly.

When a child is born, he finds himself in a completely different environment. But he also wants to feel warm and protected. For this, swaddling has been invented since ancient times. Many mothers wonder how to swaddle a newborn.

In America, Indian tribes took rabbit skins and dried grass as diaper ingredients. Then the used grass was thrown away and the skin was dried. So the baby was comfortable and dry. In the second century BC, Europe was already starting to swaddle babies in cloth as reusable diapers.

Our article will highlight all the nuances of swaddling and answer the question of up to what age you need to do this simple procedure.

Swaddling is a set of measures aimed at creating a comfortable stay for the baby, retaining the products of his vital activity and preventing diaper rash.

The diapers also create favorable conditions for a restful sleep of the baby.

1. Facilitates infant adaptation to the outside world and brings you closer to the conditions of intrauterine life.
2. Reduces Excessive Anxiety, as the child can involuntarily swing the arms and legs. This can scare him and interfere with restful sleep.
3. Keeps you warm... In children of the first months, thermoregulation processes are not fully developed, and swaddling helps them maintain a normal temperature for them.
4. Prevents diaper rash... The fabric is able to let air through, unlike the diaper. And mom will replace wet diapers right away, rather than a diaper, which will prevent prolonged contact of delicate skin with a wet surface.
5. Development of touch... The soft touch of the diaper will allow your baby to develop this feeling.
6. During the first bathing, you can swaddle your baby in a thin diaper... For him, this will be a kind of protection from the outside world, and so the newborn will not be afraid of the bath and water.

Pediatrician Komarovsky E.O .: “Swaddling a baby is not harmful. It is much cheaper to buy diapers than undershirts and rompers. But it is easier for dads to put on undershirts and sliders. Not a dad who is fluent in swaddling. ”

Varieties of diapers

It is important to examine the fabric requirements.

1. Good quality... The diaper should not tear when stretched.
2. Absorbent effect... The most important property. The diaper must absorb moisture well and at the same time maintain a "breathable effect".
3. Correct edge processing... In general, children's things are hemmed with an overlock. This is necessary to avoid tight seams that can chafe the delicate skin of the crumbs.
4. Be soft to the touch, free of foreign odors... Should not shed when washing.
5. Only natural materials- chintz, flannel, kulirka, linen, footer, jersey. Avoid synthetics.
6. Diaper sizes... Very comfortable in the form of a square with a side of 1.2 m. This is enough for you to swaddle your baby calmly.
7. Do not use brightly colored fabric so as not to annoy the child. The composition of the dyes can be harmful to the skin.
8. Diapers need to be washed regularly baby powder and iron on both sides.

Types of diapers and their purpose

Chintz... Must be cotton material. They are usually always the closest to the newborn's body. Also used as a bed sheet.

Flannel... They are swaddled over chintz. They are thicker than chintz and retain heat well. They can be used as a coverlet. In the summer you can not use it.

Knitted... Appeared recently. Stretch well enough, soft, gentle to the touch. They are also swaddled with flannel.

Diapers-cocoon with Velcro... Modern diapers, which can also be made of knitted fabric. Does not create unnecessary folds. It will not be difficult for mom to wrap the baby in such a diaper

Disposable diapers... Not suitable for swaddling. Needed to lay on a diaper or on a bed so that the baby does not stain the surface. Convenient when going to the clinic. Should not contain synthetic materials.

How many diapers should I take?

PERSONAL EXPERIENCE. Mom Elena, 28 years old: “I bought my daughter 10 flannel and 10 cotton and knitted diapers. Enough, even surplus. It was possible to swaddle a couple more babies. A very comfortable diaper - a cocoon, I had it in one copy. My daughter loved to fall asleep in it. "

The required minimum of a baby's dowry for swaddling

• flannel - 5 pieces;
• calico - 5 pieces;
• Velcro diapers - 1-2 pieces;
• disposable diapers.

Classic swaddling with handles. Option number 1

On the changing table we spread a chintz diaper so that there are no folds. We put the baby in the center of the diaper so that the head lies above the edge of the fabric.

We put the left hand on the baby's breast, wrap one end of the diaper under the back of the baby. We do the same with the right handle, and we also wrap the second edge of the diaper under the back.

We straighten the lower corners, cover the baby's chest with the lower edge and put the right corner under the back of the newborn, and the left one over the baby's right shoulder. We stick a small corner behind the fold on the baby's chest.

The diaper should not wrinkle or create unnecessary folds. This will interfere with your baby's sleep.

Swaddling with handles. Option number 2

We spread the diaper. Bend the edge slightly on top. We hide the right handle of the baby in the resulting pocket. Now we put this hand together with the diaper on the stomach and cover the right side of the baby with the diaper.

Then we do the same with the left edge of the diaper. We straighten the bottom edge and bend it under the knees.

Swaddling with handles. Option number 3

We spread the diaper with a diamond. We bend the upper corner. We put the baby in so that the head is higher than the diaper. We hold the baby's right handle and put the corner of the diaper behind the baby’s left flank through the armpit.

And the other bottom corner is over the child's left shoulder. We wrap the left corner of the diaper around the baby's body. The free bottom can simply be folded under the legs.

At high temperatures, you cannot swaddle your baby.

It is used in the treatment of hip dysplasia and for the prevention of congenital dislocations. This swaddling creates a "frog pose" to relieve the joints.

Everything is as usual. We spread the diaper on the changing table. We fold it diagonally to form a triangle.

We put the larger edge of this triangle under the baby's lower back. It is better to put on a gauze diaper even before the diaper.

We put the lower corner of the diaper on the tummy, and fill the side corners from above on the baby's belt. You can put on a vest on top.

Swaddling with the head

Favorite type of swaddling immediately after birth in the hospital. We spread the diaper, put the newborn so that the head is below the edge of the diaper. We wrap the crumb. First, we bring one edge behind the back, while fixing the handle, then the second. The bottom edge can be placed on the breast and locked in place.

In this position, the baby is very comfortable to sleep, it is difficult for him to even move his head, from which unnecessary movements will not wake him up.

Tight swaddling

Back in Soviet times, it was believed that this type of swaddling helps to straighten the legs. But, as it turned out, this was an erroneous version.

Tight swaddling prevents the baby from breathing normally and developing, therefore, recently they refuse him.

Go for a walk

In cool weather, either a blanket or a warm envelope is still needed over the diapers. First, you swaddle your baby in diapers in any convenient way. Then spread the blanket in a diamond shape and wrap the baby up. The upper corner of the blanket can be used to cover your face from strong wind or frost.

Up to what age do we wrap up babies?

In general, a baby should be swaddled up to three months of age. This is the period when the baby is already beginning to roll over on his tummy, and the extra diapers will interfere with his knowledge of the world.

Swaddling with the head can only be the first week of a baby's life.

Pay attention to how your baby sleeps. If he does not wake up from the jerking of his arms or legs, you can swaddle him freely.

Some parents generally wear undershirts and romper suits almost at birth.

A modern take on how to swaddle a newborn baby

1. If the child is calm, then swaddle up to a month.
2. Observe your baby's behavior.
3. The deadline for swaddling is 4 months.
4. Swaddling for a long time is not recommended, delay motor development.

The swaddling process is very important in the life of children. So it allows the baby to feel the mother's hands, warmth, care. And if both parents are engaged in this, then this will free up a few minutes for the mother to rest. Everyone chooses what is convenient for him. And, as it turned out, swaddling is not harmful, but even useful.

Be healthy!

The debate about the benefits of swaddling newborn babies has been going on for decades. If you are a supporter of using diapers and are expecting your first child, then you definitely need to familiarize yourself with the ways in which you can swaddle your baby.

Why swaddle a baby?

Even if mom is going to put on sliders on the baby from the first days, she still needs to master the basics of swaddling. For example, giving a child a medicine or cleaning a nose is much more convenient when the baby's arms are wrapped in a diaper and do not interfere with the mother's carrying out the necessary manipulations.

In the womb in the last weeks of pregnancy, the baby is, as it were, in a cozy cocoon. Once born, any child experiences stress. Swaddling helps the baby to get used to the new habitat.

In addition, the following facts speak in favor of swaddling:

• The baby wrapped in diapers sleeps better and sleeps longer.
• A swaddled baby is physically and mentally comfortable.
• The possibility of fright from involuntary sharp movements of the handles is excluded.
• The diaper retains heat better, so the risk of colds is reduced.

The main types of swaddling for newborns

Today, not all young mothers are familiar with the rules for swaddling newborns, although this skill will certainly come in handy for them in tiny amounts.

Our grandmothers and mothers also used 3 methods of swaddling babies - tight, loose and special wide swaddling for babies who have joint problems.

Whichever method of swaddling you use, you need to carry it out on a flat surface. Today's mothers just need to purchase a special changing table, a wide range of which is presented in any store for newborns.

Today a whole wave of protest has risen against the tight swaddling. More and more specialists in the field of pediatrics are talking about the dangers of this method. But if you think about it, this method of swaddling was used almost with the birth of the first person. If everything were so bad, then humanity would have died out long ago, but everyone who was tightly swaddled in childhood feels great. Therefore, we will nevertheless describe this method of wrapping a baby in diapers.

On the changing table, spread the diaper so that its wide side is perpendicular to the position of the baby. The upper edge of the diaper is slightly bent and the baby is placed so that the head is above the folded edge.

The arms of the crumbs are pulled along the body, take the diaper by the upper left edge and put it on the right side, straightening the excess diaper under the baby's back. Then, in the same way, they take the diaper by the upper right corner and put it behind the back to the left side. The bottom of the diaper is tucked along the length of the legs under the back. The edges of the canvas are folded over to the front side and fixed, leading to each other.

Since the diapers tend to sit down after the very first washings, and babies grow up quickly, so that it is more convenient to swaddle the baby, the diaper is spread on the table with one corner upwards, that is, like a rhombus.

The video shows the tight and loose swaddling of a newborn baby

Free swaddling of babies can be done in two ways:

• Wrap the baby together with the handles, leaving them in a comfortable position for the child.
• Swaddle only the lower part of the body, leaving the arms free.

In the first case the swaddling process is carried out according to the same scheme as the tight one, only the diaper is not pulled tightly to the baby's body, but a small space is left inside the cocoon so that the baby can move its arms and legs.

With the second method the baby is wrapped only up to the waist. Moreover, if you are worried about the slenderness of the baby's legs, the diaper can be wrapped tighter. But since it has already been proven that the swaddling method does not affect the straightness of the legs, it is better to leave the baby room for movement by wrapping the diaper around the waist not too tight.

For healthy babies who do not have problems with the development of joints, this method of swaddling is not used. Wide swaddling is used for medicinal purposes when.

In this case, a soft spacer made of a diaper or tightly folded fabric 20 cm wide is placed between the baby's legs, and only then swaddling is carried out.

The video tells in detail about the methods of treating hip dysplasia and wide swaddling.

Up to what age can a baby be swaddled?

Even pediatricians do not give an unequivocal answer to what age it is worth swaddling a child. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the baby himself.

All experts agree on only one thing - after 3 months, swaddling must be abandoned.

Until that time, how long the baby is in diapers, use them only for sleep or when the baby is awake, each mother decides individually. Many young parents give up diapers altogether immediately after leaving the hospital.

In any case, while the baby is awake, it is better to use a free swaddle with open arms. The sooner the baby gets used to calmly reacting to involuntary hand movements, the better. Gradually, at the time of sleep, you need to leave the baby's hands free, so that by 2-3 months to completely abandon the diapers.

Swaddling babies depending on the season

For a long time, children have been swaddling with warm flannel and light chintz fabrics.

During the cold season babies are first wrapped in a chintz, and then also in a warm diaper. In summer, in warm weather, they mainly use only light fabric.

In any case, you need to pay attention to the child's behavior.

If the room is cool and the baby is freezing, in order to prevent hypothermia, he is swaddled in 2 warm diapers, and, if necessary, covered with a blanket. At the same time, a warm cap should be worn on the baby's head.

You need to monitor the baby just as closely in hot weather. ... To avoid overheating, do not use tight swaddling. Try to hold the baby with free handles as much as possible. While the baby is awake, it is possible not to use diapers at all, so that sweatshirts are also allowed.

Every little one can handle cold or hot weather differently. Carefully monitor the baby's condition in order to prevent hypothermia or overheating of the little man.

Swaddling a baby is not as easy as it sounds. It is better to learn how to do this even before his birth, read literature, go to lessons at the antenatal clinic. Do I need to swaddle a newborn? Until what age should you do this? How to swaddle a baby correctly - what is the sequence of actions? Does it make sense to wrap a newborn in a diaper during the hot season? We will talk about all this.

The art of swaddling can be learned quickly, but making the decision to swaddle is difficult.

The need to swaddle a newborn

Why wrap a baby? During pregnancy, the baby is under the reliable protection of the mother's body. Birth is a physically and mentally difficult job not only for the mother, but also for the newborn: he is born and deprived of his usual habitat. If you wrap a baby in a diaper, it will seem to him that he is back in his mother’s tummy, he will feel protected.

Another important factor is the innate protective reflexes of the baby, in particular, the Moro reflex: the baby may be afraid of something in a dream, involuntarily throw up his hands, wake himself up and cry. To ensure the baby has a restful sleep, he is swaddled, fixing the upper body. In general, swaddling a newborn is useful, only you need to learn this process, follow the technology and not violate hygiene.

Ways to swaddle a small baby

Before swaddling a baby, they must wash and wipe him, then put a disposable diaper on the baby. A step-by-step diagram of use is shown on the package. You can make the diaper yourself. To do this, 2 pieces of gauze 50 x 50 cm are sewn together on 3 sides, turned inside out with seams and sewn up with the edges inside on the 4th side. Then another line is made around the perimeter of the diaper, stepping back 5 mm from the edges.

The diaper also needs to be washed, dried and ironed with an iron. An insufficiently clean or wet diaper will cause trouble for a newborn in the form of diaper rash or dermatitis.

Where to swaddle a newborn baby?

The baby is wrapped on any surface - it can be a sofa or a dining table. Many parents buy a special changing table, chest of drawers or board. The main thing is not to leave the baby unattended while changing clothes! It is better that the changing surface on 3 sides is surrounded by restraints (furniture), which will prevent the baby from falling, and on the 4th side there is a mother.

The changing table is a real godsend for mom, because changing diapers, changing or changing clothes becomes simple and convenient on it

Tight swaddling

This method assumes that the baby will be wrapped in a diaper completely, with handles:

1. The diaper is spread on the table in full width, the baby is placed on top in the middle. The upper edge of the diaper is at the level of the newborn's neck, the head is not on the tissue.
2. First, wrap the baby's arms, wrapping the diaper over the sides of the baby, across the belly to the back.
3. Then wrap the bottom edge of the diaper over the legs to the baby's shoulders, straighten and wrap it around his little body, plugging one edge of the fabric after the other.

Tight swaddling of a small child is often practiced before bedtime so that the baby does not wave his arms and does not hit his face with his palms, which would prevent him from sleeping peacefully. A video of swaddling a newborn can be viewed below.

Swaddling with the head

Swaddling methods for a newborn depend on the weather and time of day. You can wrap the baby up with his head - this method is used before a walk in a cool time. The diaper and blanket are placed on top of each other with one corner up. Slightly retreating from the end, the baby is laid with its head towards the corner. Then the handles are wrapped with the other two ends. The bottom corner of the blanket is wrapped up on the baby's legs, then tied with a ribbon to prevent the blanket from opening. The upper end of the blanket is thrown over the baby's head if it's cold outside.

During wakefulness, you can apply such an algorithm for wrapping a newborn, in which its arms will not be swaddled, and the legs will be able to move inside the tissue bag:

1. A chintz diaper is spread (in the cold season, you can use a warm flannel). It should be at the level of the armpits in the child.
2. The diaper is wrapped around the baby's little body, leaving the arms free.
3. The lower edge of the diaper is lifted along the legs and tummy upward, straightened and also wrapped around, plugging one end of the diaper over the other.

Below is a video on free swaddling.

Should I swaddle my baby in hot weather and how to do it?

In the heat, it makes sense to use chintz diapers - they are soft to the touch and thin enough, the baby will not be hot. Swaddling of a newborn baby is carried out according to the free (open) method described above. For use on summer days, diapers made of knitted fabric are suitable. In them, the newborn will be comfortable, as they stretch, repeating all the lines of the baby's body.

It is only necessary to take into account that the material should contain exclusively natural ingredients - from synthetic fabrics, a baby may experience irritation on the skin.

Does it make sense to wrap your baby up at night? This is a purely individual matter. Some babies sleep well without swaddling, while others are wrapped in diapers until almost 3 years old, although at this age it would be good to do with other measures. If the child does not wake up from the involuntary movements of his arms, he need not be wrapped in a tight way. The free method of wrapping is still necessary in the first weeks of life.

Additional photo instructions

The classic version of swaddling: first, the left corner of the diaper is wrapped under the right handle of the baby, then the lower corner to the top, at the end - the crumbs are wrapped in the right remaining corner, securing the back
This option is very similar to the previous one, the only small difference is that the bottom edge of the diaper is wrapped around the right handle. This is suitable for more active kids.

It is very convenient to swaddle your baby in a special diaper envelope. The technique is simple: the baby's legs are “packed” in a bag, then they alternately press the handles and fix the edges with special Velcro

Pros and cons of swaddling

Our mothers and grandmothers did not ask whether it was necessary to swaddle the child - they swaddled everyone, without exception, because there were no disposable diapers, no transformer diapers, or slip-ons. Today this issue is very relevant. Many young mothers adhere to the old views that tight swaddling of the baby is the most correct thing. Others think it makes sense to use the free method. Still others do not wrap their children at all, considering it unnecessary. Who is right? Swaddling has its pros and cons.

For swaddling

1. The risk of stress for the baby after birth is reduced. In a diaper, he feels protected, as in the womb, sleeps more peacefully.
2. A warm diaper is used for thermoregulation purposes. After birth, the baby does not immediately get used to the ambient temperature, because in the stomach he was at a temperature of 36.6 degrees Celsius. The first time it is necessary to provide him with the usual temperature.
3. The kid is still poorly coordinating his movements. During sleep, his hands can move, he can scratch himself and, frightened, wake up. If it is wrapped correctly, this will not happen.

Against swaddling

1. Swaddling the baby tightly leads to fixing the limbs in an extended state. This can lead to various diseases. Unveiled toddler keeps arms and legs in a more natural state.
2. In warm summer weather, tight swaddling of the baby can lead to overheating, disrupting heat transfer.
3. When tightly wrapped, the baby may experience unnecessary pressure on the chest, making it difficult for him to breathe.
4. Hip dislocation can be the result of tight, inept swaddling - this is a clear argument against.
5. Some psychologists believe that swaddling after 2 months has a bad effect on the psycho-emotional development of the baby.

Experts agree on a compromise version of free swaddling, which is devoid of the disadvantages of tight, but has the same advantages. It does not hinder the movement of the baby, and gives him the impression that he is safe.

Free swaddling is a compromise between opponents and supporters of swaddling. It leaves the arms and upper half of the torso open, forming a free cocoon for the legs.

How many months have babies been swaddled?

If the baby is healthy and calm, sleeps well, it makes sense to continue fiddling with diapers no more than 3 weeks after birth. Up to what age it is necessary to swaddle a particular baby, parents decide, but you should not do it for more than 3 months.

If the baby does not sleep well, you can use special nappies-cocoons or a light sleeping bag (we recommend reading :).

Dr. Komarovsky believes that swaddling is an individual process. Some children do not sleep well, are restless, suffer from heat transfer disorders. They need to be swaddled strictly according to the instructions, taking into account the weather and the well-being of the child. Better to practice free swaddling. Other children are calm, feel great without diapers - they do not need to be swaddled.

There are several myths that the famous pediatrician refutes:

1. Wrapping a baby in a diaper corrects the shape of the legs - this is not true. The curvature of the legs can only be corrected by movement; for this, physiotherapy exercises and massage are prescribed.
2. Swaddling protects the baby from hypothermia and the risk of catching a cold - another dubious conclusion. In cold weather, a warm diaper will help warm up, and in warm weather, on the contrary, it will contribute to overheating of the baby and his poor health.
3. Tight swaddling has a bad effect on both the mental and physical development of the baby - no, if it is used correctly. The child is wrapped tightly at night when he should sleep. In the daytime, the baby can not be swaddled at all or use a free method that does not restrict movement. Then the development of the baby will go on schedule.

this question arises before new parents in a maternity hospital when a child is given to them. After the first feeding, the baby's diapers become wet. As a rule, in the maternity hospital, doctors themselves tell you how to swaddle a child correctly. But it will still be better if a young mother herself learns this process when she is still pregnant. ... Master wrapping it is possible on dolls or soft toys at home.

What is swaddling for?

Now in stores you can find many hygiene products that will help a young mother do without diapers. In the markets you can find a large selection of disposable diapers and clothes for the youngest children. Many parents are ordinary cotton diapers considered a relic, but still they are necessary in the following situations:

By swaddling baby will lie calmly and all the above procedures can be safely carried out.

When medical procedures are carried out, a linen is needed. If a heating pad needs to be put on the baby's tummy, then when he is in a diaper, this is much easier to do. Doctors have found that a child who was swaddled in childhood has a developed sense of touch. When tissue touches the baby's body, it develops a sense of touch faster. If the baby was born prematurely, then in this case the canvas will imitate the mother's womb. And this will have a very beneficial effect on the child.

How to swaddle correctly

How to swaddle a newborn correctly: all swaddling can be divided step by step into several types.

Tight full wrap... With this type of swaddling, the baby is wrapped up from head to toe. If the baby is swaddled very tightly, then he will not be able to turn his head and will be completely immobilized. With this look, the legs can be completely straight or slightly bent.

How to swaddle a newborn: classic wrapping. The baby in this form is wrapped in a diaper from neck to heels. At the same time, his shoulders are closed, and his arms are very tightly pressed to the body. At the same time, the head can move to the right and to the left..

1. Thus, the child can react to any sound stimuli or drink mom's milk.
2. Free wrapping. With this wrapping, a kind of nest is built out of fabric, in which the child can move his arms, legs, and head.
3. But his movement is limited. With this type of swaddling, the baby's coordination abilities are developed. At the same time, the baby gets to know his body and capabilities.

Lower body wrapping. Very comfortable when the baby gets used to her hands and is not afraid of them. With this wrapping, disposable diapers can be omitted. In addition, the legs will be in constant motion, the skin will breathe. And a new beautiful blouse will not get dirty if the baby goes to the toilet.

To what age should a baby be swaddled

To answer this question, you need to take a closer look at the behavior of the crumb. You cannot rely on the advice of doctors and grandmothers, because every child is individual and unique. When the baby has just been brought from the hospital, it is recommended to swaddle him with his head, because he will not be cold and comfortable. Then you need to look at the reaction of the crumb when mom washes him away. Or when a child changes clothes.

What are the types of diapers

Diapers vary in size and fabric quality... As a rule, chintz fabric is laid to the body of the crumbs, and flannel fabric is placed on top. Large flannel sheets are not needed, they are usually purchased 100 x 100 cm. How exactly do you buy diapers? It is necessary to take into account some points: if the fabric is sewn on its own, then their width must be made on a roll of fabric. If the diapers are made from a sheet, then they must be cut so that there are fewer residues.

Types and sizes of diapers

From 70 to 95 cm. This size of the canvas is not the most convenient... It is recommended to use them as a napkin or sheet.

From 95 to 100 centimeters. This type of cloth is suitable for wrapping newborn crumbs. When the child grows out of them, such a fabric can be used as a bed mat or on a changing table.

From 110 to 125 cm. These canvases are very comfortable, they can be used up to three months of age. It is very convenient to wrap the crumb in this diaper size in several layers.

From 120 x70 to 135 X 95 cm. These fabrics are especially convenient for use. Because they allow the crumb to be wrapped completely with the head or just wrap its legs.

Cloth with Velcro. In another way, it is called a "newborn envelope". Available in the following sizes: 53, 68, 72 cm. As a rule, Velcro envelopes are very convenient. They are made of cotton, jersey, fleece. Usually the product is beautifully decorated with lace and decorative embroidery is done on them. Using a Velcro diaper makes changing your baby very easy. Such a canvas is more convenient to use when walking or when visiting a pediatrician.

How to swaddle a newborn in pictures step by step

When using a Velcro diaper, wrapping the baby is carried out in three steps: the first step. It is necessary to put the crumb on the diaper and put his feet in a specially designated envelope.

The second step is to wrap the crumb on the right side and fastening the fabric with Velcro.

The third step is to wrap the crumb on the left side and the fabric is also fastened with Velcro. Thus, the child from heels to shoulders is wrapped in a diaper. As a rule, this type of wrapping is referred to as tight.

What are the ways to swaddle a baby

The first method is to wrap with your hands. To do this, you need to lay the child on a table or bed. The child must be placed on the fabric in such a way that his neck is on the surface of the edge of the canvas.

1. The baby's left hand must be placed on the tummy or chest. Then you need to take the upper corner of the fabric and bring it behind the back through the barrel.
2. Then the baby's handle should be put next to the left, and the other hand should be held with your own hand.
3. Then you need to take the edge of the canvas and bring the newborn behind the back through his left side. In the lower part of the corner, the fabric must be parted to the side with both hands. Then the lower border of the fabric must be fixed on the baby's chest above the arms.

If at the same time the web is too tight, then the edge must be folded. The remaining free edge must be tucked under the baby's back. And the freed left corner must be passed over the back and brought out over the right shoulder. Following this, the corner is tucked behind the fold on the child's chest, or the wrapping can be fixed with a tape for enhanced fixation.

Swaddling a baby with handles

How to properly wrap a newborn will be described below. How to wrap a newborn is shown in the pictures.

Then you need to take the bottom corner of the fabric and bring it behind the baby's back through the left shoulder. Wrap the rest of the free left corner around the baby from left to right, and remove the edge behind the back. Wrapping a newborn is a very simple process.

Next, you need to unfold the fabric, tuck the upper edge by 25 cm.Then the baby's right hand must be put under the fold. Then you need to put the child's hand on the tummy. And at the same time, move the remaining edge of the sheet behind the baby's left side. Do the same with the left edge of the fabric. Thus, the wrapping of the newborn is half finished. It remains only to swaddle the legs. To do this, the lower side must be bent under the knees of the newborn.

Method two

For this method, unfold the sheet and tuck the top edge 25 cm. Place the newborn's right handle under the fold. Another baby's handle need to be brought on the tummy. And at the same time, move the right edge of the diaper over the left side of the baby. Further, the process of how to swaddle a baby continues with the left edge of the canvas.

To do this, the left hand must be placed under the edge of the diaper and bend the left corner behind the right side of the newborn. Tuck the bottom corner under the baby's knee. With such wrapping, special attention should be paid so that the fabric does not overtighten the child. The baby should be completely wrapped up, but at the same time he should be able to move a little.

How to swaddle a baby so that his hands remain without a diaper

The baby must be put on the sheet so that its upper corner is higher than its armpits.

If the baby does not want to wear a vest or sliders, then you can use two diapers, the lower one should be made of cotton, and the upper one made of flannel fabric. When asked whether it is worth swaddling a baby, you need to answer that it depends on the individual character of the baby. If the child is hyperactive and afraid of his movements, then he needs to be swaddled. And if the baby feels good in sliders and a blouse, then there is no need to apply wrapping.

The issue of swaddling a baby has recently become a matter of much controversy. Most specialists, pediatricians and parents themselves believe that after the birth of a baby, it should be swaddled. In order not to harm the baby, you need to know how to swaddle a newborn.

Young parents themselves decide all issues of caring for the baby. Before making a choice, it is necessary to correctly assess all the positive and negative aspects of swaddling and rejection of it.

During 9 months of intrauterine development, the baby got used to the constraint of movement, to the warmth of the mother's body. Being born is stressful for a baby who has been pulled out of a comfortable, safe environment.

The feeling of loss of protection, unusual freedom of movement - all this scares the baby. Wrapping up in a warm diaper helps to cope with such stress, which recreates a cozy and comfortable cocoon for the baby.

Scientists have found that a tightly wrapped baby sleeps better and is not capricious. The child suffers from colic less. Experts recommend swaddling without fail for children with increased nervous excitability.

Pros and cons of swaddling

Proponents of swaddling a baby have many reasons to support their theory:

• The infant's adaptation to the new external environment occurs with less stress on the psyche. Swaddling psychologically connects the outside world with the conditions of intrauterine development.
• A newborn child will not be able to control his own body, movements. The arising spontaneous flapping of the arms and legs can injure the baby, as well as scare him. Due to sudden movements, the baby does not sleep well, is capricious. A properly swaddled baby cannot injure itself, it sleeps better and soundly.
• A baby who is tightly swaddled has almost no colic. Regular tight swaddling reduces flatulence and is a preventative procedure to eliminate colic.
• Keeps warm well in cold weather. The fact is that a newborn baby has not yet developed a system of thermoregulation, the processes of which are in the stage of formation.
• The touch of the fabric of the diaper to the baby's skin through tactile sensations creates a feeling of coziness and comfort. The sense of touch develops.
• The diaper prevents diaper rash as the fabric is breathable. The diapers are changed more often, the baby's skin is much less in contact with the wet surface.
• So that the baby is not afraid of the first bath, doctors recommend wrapping the baby in a thin diaper, which will give a feeling of security.
• For young parents, the use of diapers helps to reduce the financial costs of buying baby clothes, from which babies grow very quickly.

Opponents of this procedure give the following reasons:

• Overheating of the body after swaddling is possible if the baby was born in the summer.
• Stiffness in an infant's movements can lead to poor muscle tone.
• If a baby is swaddled tightly, then the blood circulation process will slow down, which in turn has a bad effect on the nervous system.
• The kid will not learn to move the arms and legs in time, which will lead to developmental delays.

Answering opponents of swaddling, the following can be noted: the procedure itself is carried out up to 2 - 3 months from the date of birth, when most of the time the children sleep. Already after several weeks, during the procedure, the handles remain free, and the swaddling itself becomes looser. In summer, diapers made of thin cotton fabric are used, which prevents overheating.

Choosing diapers

Before purchasing diapers, you need to familiarize yourself with the requirements that the fabric must meet.

• No synthetics, only natural materials: chintz, flannel, knitwear. These fabrics are highly breathable and absorb moisture, thus avoiding diaper rash.
• Colors should be calm tones. If the fabric is dyed in too bright colors, then the chemical composition of the dye may be harmful to the baby. The paint must be resistant so that it does not shed during washing.
• The fabric should be pleasant and soft to the touch. If the fabric has a strong, unpleasant odor, you should not buy such a diaper.
• The fabric should stretch well. Overlocked edges. Thick seams can chafe the delicate skin.

• Chintz are natural fabric diapers that fit directly to the baby's body.
• Flannel. They are used in cool weather as a second layer over chintz diapers. Often used as light blankets.
• Bike or woolen. Used in severe frosts or as a blanket. A woolen blanket can also be used for proper wrapping.
• Knitted. This type of diaper has appeared recently. Can be used instead of flannel or swaddled under them. The great advantage of this type is that they stretch well, do not roll and do not create additional folds.
• Disposable. Not used for swaddling. They can be used to cover the changing table and take it to the clinic.
• Diapers - a cocoon with Velcro. Dad can easily cope with such a diaper.
• Velcro envelope. Very comfortable for walking.

Except for disposable diapers, all others are washed with baby soap or baby powder. Rinse thoroughly after washing. The diapers are ironed on both sides. It is better to iron hard, dry fabrics with a steamer.

For the process itself, it is better to allocate a special place. You can use a crib, sofa, or changing table. Don't leave your toddler alone on a sofa or table.

Cover the place where you will swaddle the child with a disposable diaper. Place some powder and water next to it to wash your baby. Remove the dirty diaper, rinse off all dirt thoroughly. Treat problem areas such as cervical folds, armpits, groin area with powder.

The ways

Even in the maternity hospital, mommy has a question about how to swaddle a newborn baby correctly? A doctor or nurse can suggest common ways and show in practice how exactly swaddling in the hospital. There are several known methods of swaddling. It is desirable to alternate all of them. Parents choose how to swaddle the baby, but the temperament of the baby should be taken into account.

1. Tight swaddling.

This species was widespread in the past. Now doctors advise to give up tight swaddling or alternate it with other types. Often leads to compression of the limbs and diaphragm. On the contrary, this view is shown to some children. These are hyperactive children. Tight swaddling is also recommended for babies with restless sleep.

• Place the diaper diagonally. Bend the top corner. The child should lie so that the fold line is parallel to the shoulders.
• Press the handle against your body. Tuck the edge on the side of the handle from the opposite side under the barrel.
• The bottom edge rises and locks in place at the back.
• The second edge presses the free hand and also rolls up on the opposite side.

This method is considered a classic, most likely, it is he who will be advised to a young mother in the hospital when she asks to show how to swaddle a baby. For a walk in winter, the upper corner does not hide inside, it is left open: during the walk, it will protect the baby from drafts.

This type is used most often for the first 2 weeks of a baby's life. As soon as the baby begins to pull out the handles and move, it is worth moving on to free swaddling. When loosely wrapped, you can use a diaper.

1. Free swaddling.

Most popular among mums and dads. You can use different options: leave the handles free or wrap your hands and free the legs. This view provides the baby with the opportunity to position himself as it is convenient for him and to move his limbs. You can swaddle your baby in two ways.

The technique of this method is very similar to tight swaddling. The difference is that the arms and legs do not straighten, but remain in a natural position. The diaper is not wrapped very tightly.

• The diaper is straight.
• Place the baby with the head above the edge.
• The bottom edge is folded inward.
• Make a scent free to the sides.
• Raise the bottom edge.
• Wrap the free corners around the legs and secure at the front.

To keep the handles free, pass the diaper around the armpits. Be sure to use mittens or a jersey with sewn-on sleeves so that the baby does not scratch itself.

If a child is diagnosed with hip dysplasia, a wide swaddling method is used. How to properly swaddle a newborn baby with such a disease, the pediatrician and orthopedist will tell you. The legs are fixed in the frog pose.

Take 2 diapers. Fold one in several layers. Place between your toddler's legs. With the help of the second, free swaddling is done.

You can also learn how to swaddle children in special literature, where step by step and step by step with the help of illustrations they show how to swaddle a baby correctly.

• Change the way you swaddle. At night, so that the baby sleeps better, a tight wrap is suitable. During the day, in order for the baby to move, it is better to use free species.
• After being discharged from the maternity hospital, the favorite type of swaddling for an infant is head wrapping. But after a night's sleep, let the baby lie in a more relaxed position. This will help develop gross motor skills.
• How to swaddle a baby correctly and quickly, grandmother can tell. Do not turn away from the help of the older generation.
• When using diapers, choose ones that are suitable for the anatomical features of boys and girls.
• Make sure that diapers - panties do not press on the tummy. The belt should be elastic and keep its shape well. Observe the dimensions. Swaddling can be combined with wearing diapers.

How to swaddle your baby, you will be prompted by observing your baby. If the baby does not sleep well, hands suddenly twitch, use a tight swaddling method. When a child starts to pull out his pens, whimper, then it's time for a free method.

Karina is a permanent expert of the PupsFull portal. She writes articles on play, pregnancy, parenting and education, childcare, and mom and child health.

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