Benefits Of Swaddling Your Baby - Page 2 |
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Benefits of Swaddling
Although there are many ways to swaddle babies, the reason the technique works so well is that, by wrapping the infant's arms tightly around his or her body, it's possible to recreate a womb-like environment. Swaddling is the cornerstone of Dr. Karp's "5 S's" calming technique. "Swaddling is the first step to calming a baby," Dr. Karp says. "Many babies struggle against swaddling and it oftentimes makes them cry more initially. Parents can lose confidence here, but it's kind of like making a cake -- if you stop at cracking the eggs, then say 'Oh my God, this is disgusting,' and give up, you'll end up with a mess. But if you carry the process through to the end, and do it correctly, you'll end up with a great result."
With effective swaddling, Dr. Karp says, the result is a calm baby who will sleep for longer periods at a time (meaning you, too, get to sleep longer). "Crying babies and exhausted parents are a serious public health risk," Dr. Karp says. "These two factors are a main trigger for marital stress, post-natal depression, breast feeding failure, SIDS, excessive visits to the doctor, overtreatment of babies with medication, dysfunctional bonding, maternal and paternal obesity, and even infant obesity. It turns out there are a lot of reasons for swaddling babies."
The number one result of incorrect swaddling is that your baby will become more upset and lose sleep, but there's also the possibility of more serious consequences. A baby swaddled too loosely may get tangled up in the loose blanket, causing overheating or even suffocation, and is more likely to roll over on his or her stomach, increasing the possibility of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome). A baby whose hips are swaddled too tightly, on the other hand, is susceptible to developmental ailments like hip dysplasia.
Correct Swaddling Technique
Swaddling isn't rocket science, Dr. Karp says, but there are several different ways to swaddle a baby. He recommends using a simple blanket, at least 43 inches long, and following his four-step process. To learn this process ("It's a very specific technique that allows the blanket to be snugger and less likely to pop open," he explains), go to www.thehappiestbaby.org and click on "Find a Happiest Baby Class." These classes, offered throughout the NYC area and the country, are taught by trained experts in Dr. Karp's "5 S's" calming technique.
Some popular products make swaddling easier from the get-go, as well. The traditional square-shaped swaddle from Swaddle Designs is large enough to use effectively, the fabrics are all organic and breathable, and a mini-cheat sheet of graphic directions is sewn right onto the corner of the swaddle blanket. The Halo SleepSack product line, which is endorsed by IHDI, offers another "hip-healthy" way to swaddle and is one of the easiest to use -- foolproof in terms of allowing someone with no practice to put on a baby with ease, and always allowing your baby's hips and legs to move freely.
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