Few newborn care practices are as universal and timeless as swaddling. For thousands of years, mothers all across the world have tightly wrapped their babies in blankets or cloths. This helps to soothe babies because it closely resembles the feelings of the womb. An anti-swaddling movement has recently taken wing, especially among advocates of natural parenting. Mothering magazine, for example, claims that swaddling causes babies to "shut down" rather than to feel comforted, and that it is an inherently dangerous practice. Attachment parenting moms, who were once the biggest proponents of swaddling, are now largely opposing the practice.
It's hard to say what's real and what's not in an era of conflicting parenting advice. The media has long delivered contradictory information, with topics like cosleeping, extended breastfeeding, and discipline among the hottest sources of debate. In situations like these, I think it's best to look not just to magazines and mother-in-laws, but to credible scientific sources. Here's an evidence-based look at the benefits and risks of swaddling your baby, based on a systematic review by the American Academy of Pediatrics.
1. Swaddling does reduce stress and crying in newborns. Countless studies have confirmed that babies who are swaddled cry less, feel less pain, and are more easily comforted.
2. Babies who are swaddled breastfeed just as consistently and effectively as their unswaddled peers.
3. Parents who swaddle their babies are less likely to "need" to place their babies on their bellies to sleep-- a known risk factor for SIDS-- because the babies will sleep peacefully on their backs.
4. Preterm babies who are swaddled grow more and experience better development than preterm babies who are not swaddled. Swaddling is extremely beneficial to babies who left the womb too early.
5. Swaddling should not be used as a substitute for parental care. Swaddling a baby and then leaving it alone, in a swing with white noise, might cause the baby to appear calm and happy, but he still needs to be held and interacted with.
6. Improper swaddling can cause hip dysplasia. Parents should know how to swaddle their babies correctly to prevent this common problem. A correct swaddle should not be too tight around the baby's hips or legs.
7. Swaddling can increase the risks of overheating. Parents should not swaddle babies in excessively thick blankets and should watch for signs of overheating. A swaddled baby should be kept in a moderately cool room without any additional blankets or pillows nearby.
8. A swaddled baby should never be placed on his belly to sleep. In both swaddled and unswaddled babies, belly-sleeping dramatically increases the risk of SIDS. A swaddled baby is less likely to be able to turn himself over in his sleep, making the risk even more significant.
9. No baby should be swaddled all the time. Excessive swaddling, especially when used as a substitute for parental care, can hinder a baby's proper development. Even a very young newborn should have a minimum of several hours per day without swaddling.
10. Babies shouldn't be swaddled long-term. Experts vary in their opinions about how long a baby should be swaddled. Some believe that babies should no longer be swaddled after one month of age, while others think they can be safely swaddled until three months. Long-term routine swaddling might impair a baby's gross motor development, so it's important to end the practice after a few months.
Swaddling can't be, and shouldn't be, used as a substitute for parenting, and improper swaddling can be dangerous in several ways. However, the appropriate, conscientious, and healthy use of this time-honored technique can improve a child's health while making life much easier for both the parents and the baby.
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