How to Swaddle

Watch as Lynette Damir, RN, CEO and Founder of SwaddleDesigns, demonstrates that swaddling a baby is as easy as 1-2-3.  

Natural Position

Experts recommend swaddling baby in a natural position with elbows, knees and hips flexed for proper joint development, and with baby’s hands within reach of mouth so baby can suck on his or her fingers to self-console.

You may also choose to wrap baby with one or both hands down inside the swaddle with baby's elbows in a flexed position and offer baby a pacifier once breastfeeding is established.

Wrap Snugly

A loose swaddle is ineffective, so wrap baby snugly, but not so tightly as to impede baby’s breathing. You should be able to slide your hand between the blanket and your baby’s chest. It should feel snug, not loose.

Custom Fit

SwaddleDesigns large square blankets allow for a custom fit swaddle whether your baby is small, medium or large. 

Easy as 1-2-3 Swaddle®!

Swaddle Designs blankets are the only swaddling blankets with instructions sewn to the edge of the blanket (patent pending).

Place blanket on a flat surface in a diamond position in front of you with the 123 Swaddle Tip Tag visible on your upper right hand side.

Fold the top corner down about 6 inches, and place baby in the center of the blanket with their neck at the fold.

Follow the steps on the 123 Swaddle Tip Tag

1. Starting on your left, bring the 1st corner over and tuck snugly behind baby.

2. The bottom corner goes over baby’s left shoulder and behind baby’s back. The weight of the baby on the tucked under corners will help to keep the swaddle secure.

3. Take the 3rd corner across and all the way around behind baby, tucking the tail of the blanket into the fold in the front.

Avoid having the blanket touch baby's cheek, this can stimulate baby's rooting response and wake baby.

Our swaddling blankets are designed with good stretch when they are in the diamond position for swaddling.

Every baby is unique. Ask your baby’s pediatrician about swaddling your baby.

Always Place Baby on Back to Sleep

Always place baby on his or her back for sleep. The side and tummy positions are unsafe.

The back sleeping position reduces risk of SIDS. Baby should sleep on a firm sleep surface, in a bassinet, cradle or crib near the mother’s bed, without any soft toys, pillows or loose bedding.

Baby's Sleep Environment

Room Temperature

Medical experts recommend a sleep environment of 65-70°F (18-21°C)

It is an important responsibility of the caregiver to dress baby appropriately for sleep based on the temperature of their environment. Parents should not overdress or underdress baby for sleep. As a general guide, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends dressing baby in no more than one layer more than an adult would use to be comfortable in the same environment.

Cool hands and feet are considered okay due to baby’s immature circulatory system, but tummy and chest should be warm and dry. A sweaty neck and back is a sign of overheating and a layer of baby’s clothing should be removed.

Babies are not good at regulating their own temperatures. No blanket can naturally regulate baby’s temperature for them, so parents need to touch and feel their baby to ensure baby is not too warm or too cold.

Smoke-Free Environment

Always keep baby's environment smoke-free by not smoking when pregnant, near your baby, or in an area where your baby spends time or sleeps.

Ventilation

Be sure air can circulate freely around baby's face. A fan in baby's room can increase ventilation, but should not be blowing air directly on baby.

Allow Baby to Suck on Fingers or a Pacifier

Infant researchers state it’s in baby’s best interest to have baby’s hands within reach of mouth, so baby may self-soothe by sucking on his or her fingers. Sucking is the most organizing behavior of the newborn – it helps baby with sleep/wake control. Sucking is an early form of communication - by vigorously sucking, a baby communicates that he or she is hungry.

As your baby grows stronger or if you have a very active baby, you may tuck one or both hands down into the swaddle with their elbows flexed and offer baby a pacifier. Babies who suck on pacifiers have reduced incidence of SIDS.

As you learn more about your baby, you will find which hand position works best for your baby.

Breastfeeding

Breastfeeding is encouraged. Breastfeed, if you can.

Swaddling Blankets

Doctors, nurses, childbirth educators, doulas, parents, and medical experts recommend SwaddleDesigns blankets because they are large, square, lightweight and breathable. Cotton is a natural and breathable fabric which reduces the risk of overheating.

Cotton Flannel is the #1 Choice in US Hospitals for Swaddling

Hospitals trust and use cotton flannel blankets to wrap babies soon after birth to keep them warm and comfortable. Your baby will quickly outgrow the hospital-size blanket and you will need a larger receiving blanket to swaddle your baby as he or she grows.

Ultimate Receiving Blanket

SwaddleDesigns Ultimate Receiving Blanket is large, square, lightweight and breathable. It’s made from super soft premium preshrunk cotton flannel, and features our exclusive 123 Swaddle illustrated instructions sewn to the edge of the blanket.

42” x 42” Made in USA

Organic Ultimate Receiving Blanket 

SwaddleDesigns Organic Ultimate Receiving Blanket is made from preshrunk GOTS certified organic cotton flannel. A large, square, lightweight, breathable, buttery-soft blanket, features our exclusive 123 Swaddle instructional tag sewn to the edge of blanket.

42” x 42” Made in USA

Marquisette Swaddling Blanket

SwaddleDesigns Marquisette Swaddling Blanket is an ultra soft, very lightweight open weave blanket made from 100% cotton. Appropriate for warmer environments, cotton marquisette is similar to muslin but much softer due to finer threads and higher thread count. Our exclusive 123 Swaddle instructional tag is sewn to the edge of each blanket.

47” x 47” Imported

 

SwaddleDesigns flannel and marquisette are
Oeko Tex Standard 100 compliant

 

Benefits of Swaddling

Medical studies have shown there are many benefits to swaddling.

Swaddling Decreases the Risk of SIDS

• Swaddled back sleeping infants have a lower incidence of SIDS than unswaddled back sleeping infants

• When babies sleeps better on their back, parents are less likely to use the unsafe tummy position for sleep

• Swaddling helps sleeping infants remain on their backs

Swaddled Babies Sleep Better

• Swaddling decreases occurrence of the startle reflex which frequently wakes unswaddled babies

• Infants sleep with fewer awakenings when swaddled and have twice as much REM sleep

• REM sleep is believed to be important for brain development

• When babies sleep better and longer, parents get more sleep, too

Reduces Colic and Fussiness

• Snug swaddling soothes babies by reminding baby of the snugness of the womb

• Swaddling helps prevent overstimulation

• Babies are inefficient at regulating their temperature. Swaddling helps keep baby warm

Helpful When Breastfeeding

• Tucking baby’s hands into the swaddle will keep baby’s hands from impairing latch-on

• Baby’s extra movements are nicely contained when swaddled which can help baby focus and latch on

The information contained on this website is intended to complement, not substitute for, the advice of your child's pediatrician. Consult with your child's pediatrician, who can discuss your child's individual needs and counsel you.