Swaddling has been used since ancient times, and if earlier it was the only way to dress a newborn, now the young mother has many other options. At the same time, do not forget about the advantages of this method, despite the large number of beautiful clothes available in stores. First you need to understand the definition of free and tight swaddling. The first of them is considered the most suitable for newborn children.
How to choose
Free swaddling baby allows the baby to feel safe, as if in the womb. Unlike a tight one, being in a natural position of the body is also ensured. At the same time, overly tight wrapping increases the likelihood of overheating and makes it difficult to fully breathe.
Excessively active movements, sharp shouts and startles from fright indicate that free swaddling of the handles is not suitable for the time being and it is worth using a more dense option. At the same time, it is undesirable if the baby sleeps calmly in pants and a vest.
Features
A newborn in a comfortable “cocoon” easily moves his legs and arms, adapting to an unfamiliar environment. Sometimes young parents are faced with the categorical opinion of the older generation regarding the method of changing. Previously, it was believed that due to this wrapping, it is possible to prevent curvature of the legs and disturbance of posture. But in reality this is nothing more than a myth, while the child develops more slowly due to obstructed circulation and forced, not always convenient position for him.
Movements allow you to recognize your abilities, to know the world around you and your own body, at the same time the baby will not be afraid of his arms raised, as the free swaddling of newborns somewhat limits space and resembles being in the womb. This speeds up the time to fall asleep, thanks to this, this method is often used for night sleep.
Among the positive aspects, it is worth noting the versatility of the diapers. You can not worry about the fact that the baby will wake up from the cold, which is very important in the autumn-winter period. At the same time, overalls and other items of clothing become much smaller than diapers much faster, therefore, choosing the right size, you can use one set from birth to six months.
What you need to know
The behavior of the child can determine the need for swaddling. If he is afraid of his own hands, sleeps restlessly and wakes up too often, then you can try to abandon ordinary clothes. The kid will feel comfortable in a cozy "cocoon" of soft fabric. In this case, a violation of muscle tone and expressed protest of the baby indicate that free and complete swaddling is not suitable. Also, to avoid overheating, do not wrap up the crumbs in a hot room both at night and during the day.
Particular attention should be paid to technology. The easiest way to get acquainted with it when watching a training video. The most important thing is that the child can take a comfortable pose, that is, bend the legs at the knees. The upper part of the diaper may be at the level of the abdomen, in this case only legs will be wrapped up, or in the neck area.
Benefits
The impossibility of the greenhouse effect due to free air circulation is the main advantage of this technique. As you know, free swaddling provides the work of all departments of the lungs, early hardening and strengthening of immunity. At the same time, the baby can sleep in a position convenient for him, for example, on his stomach. It is also worth noting the possibility of developing fine motor skills, touch and prevention of joint dysplasia. Freedom of movement is ensured not only by soft diapers, but also by envelopes from natural fabrics.
Two main swaddling methods are used:
- handles and legs have the same freedom of movement;
- the diaper is positioned so that only the legs are wrapped.
Free swaddling: the rules
It is necessary to carefully straighten all the formed folds on the fabric, as the delicate skin of a newborn is very easy to injure. It is important that the chin and nose are always open to prevent shortness of breath. The surrounding temperature is also of particular importance, while overheating is more dangerous for a child than hypothermia. If it’s cool in the apartment, you can use a combination of two diapers (flannel and chintz) or dress the baby in a thin jumpsuit or a set of romper suits and a blouse.
It is undesirable to put on a cap in the room, as this complicates the natural thermoregulation. At high temperature conditions, the best option would be a chintz or kulirka, with which you can simply cover the baby. It is strictly forbidden to fasten the diaper with pins because of the danger of injury.
Contact of skin with fur and wool materials is undesirable. Nappies and clothes made of environmentally friendly soft materials that are pre-washed with a special powder and ironed are best suited.
When not to do without swaddling
At first glance, it might seem that tight or loose swaddling has become irrelevant today due to the wide variety of clothes for the smallest, one-time and reusable diapers and other products that simplify the life of a young mother. But do not categorically refuse diapers, as they become indispensable in the following situations:
- When the baby cannot calm down. In the first time after birth, the limbs can frighten the baby due to abrupt, chaotic movements, while in the womb they did not cause him any discomfort. Free swaddling will ensure a calm sleep and warm the baby. So you don’t have to worry that awkward movements will disturb the rest.
- First bathroom. It is believed that if a child is wrapped in a diaper, then he will not be afraid of water and will feel safe.
- When carrying out medical manipulations. For example, warming your stomach during colic with a heating pad is much easier if you use a diaper to secure it. There are also many other actions that are unpleasant, but necessary for the baby.
- For hygiene procedures. It is extremely difficult to use eye drops, to clean your nose and ears if the baby is diligently resisting. Swaddling in this case allows you to limit movement to the time necessary to carry out all actions.
- There are often situations when diapers are not suitable and contribute to the formation of rashes and diaper rash, while in the diapers there is a constant air exchange, which accelerates the healing of wounds.
If there is any doubt about the need for swaddling, you should not be guided only by the advice of close and older relatives, since all children are different and each of them requires a special approach.
Useful fixtures
A changing table is necessary if long-term changing is planned. Today in stores you can find both full-fledged pieces of furniture and folding ones that are easy to take on travel or freely move around the house. The most common is a chest of drawers with a changing table. It will remove the load from the mother’s back, provide easy care for the child, and after the need disappears in the board, it can be removed and the chest of drawers used only for storing things.
Diaper Types
There are a large number of different diapers, the most common are the following options:
- envelopes providing free swaddling;
- standard of flannel and chintz;
- for handles in which the legs remain open;
- terry hooded, used after water procedures.
The amount is selected depending on the use of disposable or gauze diapers. A few diapers per day is more than enough when using diapers. In another case, there should be at least 20 pieces, subject to daily washing.
Free swaddling legs does not have any contraindications provided that all hygienic manipulations are carried out, the rules are followed and use is not more than six months. At the same time, for mom, caring for a child should promote close communication and bring pleasure, and not be a daily necessary routine.
Myths
- Thanks to dense swaddling, many diseases can be avoided. Unfortunately, everything is exactly the opposite. Cases of pneumonia are much more common in children who are constantly wrapped in diapers.
- You can do without swaddling. It all depends on the newborn, someone cannot sleep without him, and someone does not immediately allow himself to be wrapped up.
- Tight swaddling is the prevention of leg curvature. If this were true, then every child born in the USSR would have perfectly straight legs.
Young parents should themselves weigh the pros and cons of swaddling the newborn and choose the best option for themselves. But the fact remains that the crumbs during wakefulness should be warm, comfortable and able to freely move their legs and arms.
Swaddling Types
In addition to free swaddling, tight swaddling is also common, which involves the use of two large diapers. The baby’s head is covered with a hood from the top of the diaper, and the body is tightly wrapped in it. The use of this option is rational in case of restless sleep and in case of overexcitation.
Medical swaddling is prescribed by a pediatrician only for certain indications. Basically, they are the treatment and prevention of hip dysplasia.
With partial wrapping, only legs or handles can be wrapped. Other parts of the body can move freely, since they are covered with nothing. Each of the options presented above has its advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for certain situations.