Swaddling a baby requires special skill from moms, since both the health and safety of the baby depend on how it was performed. In many Western countries today, swaddling the baby has sunk into oblivion. But in most eastern countries, as well as in countries with a cold climate, this procedure is still in demand, as it was several decades ago.
Among scholars and medical workers at the present stage of the development of society, a debate about whether swaddling is harmful or useful is very common. To answer this question clearly is not possible, since this question has both its pros and cons.
So, swaddling a child can be divided into two main types: tight and free. The first species was distributed several decades ago. Women giving birth in the 70s and 80s of the 20th century firmly believed that tight swaddling made it possible to straighten the legs and arms of babies. But by the end of the 20th century, this statement was completely refuted, and the arguments cited for the harm of tightly wrapping a child made him completely abandon it. Doctors concluded that tight swaddling of a child interferes with the breathing of a person who has just been born, thereby complicating its development and causing harm to health. In addition, the child’s stay in an uncomfortable and pinched condition limits his freedom of movement, which contributes to slow physical growth.
Free swaddling of the child allows him to carry out any movement. During sleep, the child can calmly spread or bend its legs in the knees, curl up, change the pose of the arms, etc. But at the same time, he will not be able, for example, to fall from the crib, since his movements are limited by the space inside the diaper. Despite the fact that the free form of wrapping has a lot of advantages, there were also opponents. They argue that the confined space harms the formation of the child’s personality, and also violates the natural course of development of tactile functions, because the baby does not feel other materials than the fabric of which the diaper is made.
The following arguments can be made in favor of free swaddling. Firstly, the child sleeps much better, and the dream is very long and without constant awakenings. Secondly, for 9 months the baby was in the womb, so at the genetic level the child remembers this condition. Swaddling recreates a similar situation that affects the emotional calm of the child. That is why, after examination by a doctor, infants are advised to wrap themselves in tissue.
Swaddle your child or not, each parent must decide for himself. Scientists were not able to provide scientific evidence of the harm of this procedure for infants, but only expressed their assumptions. Probably the most acceptable for your child will be if you can combine swaddling, for example, while the baby is sleeping, and the free content of his child. During outdoor activities, undress your baby and allow him to make tactile contact with your skin. This will help him develop his tactile functions and get used to environmental influences faster.
Swaddle a child, as children's doctors advise, preferably up to 6 months inclusive, but at the same time observing the individual characteristics of the baby. In most cases, wrapping a child in a fabric is not difficult. But if your child is too active and does not lie still, then try to swaddle your baby in a dream. This will help you, firstly, to prolong the child’s sleep, and secondly, to protect the baby from injuries that he may receive due to his cognitive activity. But remember that wrapping a child after six months is not worth it, as this will adversely affect his development.