Sleep is a precious commodity to most of the human race, so it comes as no surprise to us, that after breastfeeding, sleep is the most common baby subject the SWM team are quizzed on.
We have decided to write a series of blogs with some tricks and advice on settling your new baby more quickly, and for longer. We will be including safety advice (more of which you can find at The Lullaby Trust) and revealing the products we use to make our lives easier.
So we are kicking off the sleep series by looking at swaddling...
Why do we advocate swaddling?
We have all always found that our swaddled babies settle more quickly, and generally sleep better and for longer. A new born baby who has been used to the close confines of the womb seeks comfort in the arms of their parents, or the closeness of feeding at the breast. It is only natural that they would seek the same comfort when drifting off to sleep too. Unfortunately as lovely as it would be, holding your baby close to you all day (and night) is rarely possible and even unsafe, and the most natural time for baby to be put down is when they are asleep. A baby who is put down to sleep without being swaddled not only lacks the comfort in being physically confined, but also is then prone to being woken by their own the startle reflex - the moro reflex.
How do we swaddle safely?
It is important to make sure when you are swaddling your baby that:
- The material of the swaddle being used is suitable for the temperature in baby's room. We tend to use a custom made swaddle (see below for the ones we love!) or a large muslin square, which is light in the summer, and can have blankets tucked in over the top for layered warmth in the winter.
- The baby is swaddled securely over the arms and shoulders, but loosely over the hips - the baby should be able to bring his/her knees up and out if they want to. This is due to some studies showing that babies swaddled tightly over the hips can suffer more readily from hip dysplasia.
- The swaddle does not cover their face, and that loose ends are tucked securely into the wrapped swaddle or the cot.
What do we use to swaddle?
There are a couple of products on the market which we completely adore, but topping the list are the muslin or bamboo swaddles by Aden and Anais. Whilst certainly not the cheapest, they are definitely the most versatile. The light breathable fabric is perfect for swaddling babies all year round, and their size means that they are just as perfect for your 5-6 month old as they are for your newborn. They work wonderfully as a sun visor/sleep shade when clipped to, or draped over the hood of a pram, and are a great cover up for mums who prefer a little more privacy when breast-feeding. (they also make wonderful capes for older siblings!) Most importantly the organic cotton is easily washed and gets softer with use.
Can't Wrap? Won't Wrap? or Baby Houdini...
Easy alternatives which offer the wonderful benefits of swaddling
We LOVE the easy zip up sleeping bags especially designed for newborn babies. With many new companies popping up to fill this market, there are two products we love recommend.
The Love to swaddle UP by Love to Dream - If you have ever watched a baby who is not swaddled fall asleep, they will more often than not, have their arms up beside their head. The love to dream swaddle UP is designed for exactly this. Their unique design enables babies to get their hands to their mouth and face, but doesn't allow them to scratch themselves in their sleep. The stretchy fabric ensures the snug and secure fit that your baby will take comfort from, and helps suppress the moro reflex, whilst still allowing your baby plenty of wiggle room for the legs and hips. The zip up design will also ensure that your little Houdini is secure all night!
The Ergococoon by Ergo Pouch - Whilst this is perfect for use with your newborn, (we wouldn't recommend them if they weren't) we LOVE to use this for babies in the 3-6 month category. These swaddles are perfectly designed to help your baby transition from swaddling to sleeping with their arms free - a natural progression for all babies. beginning with the arms in position, the ergococoon provides a safe, stretchy cocooned feeling for your baby, and they are able to sleep with their hands over their chest or down by their sides. Then you can choose to allow one arm out at a time, or transition completely to both arms out.