In modern society, disagreement has arisen over whether to swaddle a newborn baby. Young mothers were divided into those who prefer traditional swaddling, and those who consider this a relic of the past. Let's try to figure it out.
Where did the need for swaddling come from?
Since ancient times, newborns have been swaddled. Firstly, because before there was no such variety of clothes, even a piece of fabric was a delicacy. The kids were wrapped not just in swaddling clothes, but in cuts of fabric, which they managed to find with relatives or neighbors. That is why the question never arose - why swaddle newborn children.
Secondly, tight swaddling was popular a long time ago, it was believed that the baby should be fixed as much as possible in one position, with elongated arms and legs, tightly wrapping it in a diaper. Since this method did not allow the newborn to injure himself with the reflex movements of the limbs, the constrained position reminds him of the last month spent in the womb, in the same limited state in movement.
Do I need to swaddle a newborn baby?
Disputes and protests about the "need" to swaddle a child have existed at all times. According to some reports, one of the first was the scientist Pliny the Elder, who lived in the 1st century BC. e. Until the XVII century, most teachers and doctors advocated swaddling children, and not only to ensure that it was tight, but also long - not limited to a couple of months. In the XVIII century, Jean-Jacques Rousseau was skeptical against tight swaddling, primarily arguing that it was unnatural for the psyche and physical condition of the child.
By the middle of the XIX century, most experts had moved away from the assertion that extremely swaddling clothes were needed, a more loyal form appeared, suggesting different variations of this process. At present, many parents prefer to listen to modern specialists in this field. So, for example, speaks about whether it is necessary to swaddle a newborn baby, Dr. Komarovsky. Many mothers are happy to listen to his opinion, because he considers both sides of this issue, reasoning with humor and presenting the right of choice to each parent.
The main reasons for changing
This process has both strengths and weaknesses. To understand how to swaddle a newborn baby, and whether it is your child who needs it, you should familiarize yourself with different opinions, but, first of all, watch your baby.
Reassurance. Each mom seeks to create a comfortable atmosphere around her baby. In order for the child to be able to gradually get used to the outside world in conditions of tranquility, it is best to provide him with the environment in which he arrived last month in the womb.
The development of touch. The diaper fixed on the baby creates a sensation of warmth that the baby had previously experienced.
Prevention of possible injury. In the first months, the newborn does not control the movement of arms and legs, this occurs at a reflex level, which can lead to accidental bumps or scratches.
Profitability. Young parents in the first months of their baby’s life will not spend large sums of money on the purchase of various clothes. It is enough to buy a few diapers from different materials, depending on the time of year in which the baby was born.
Reasons for “against” swaddling
Why do some refuse it?
Tight swaddling affects muscle tone negatively.
In the hot season, swaddling can lead to rashes on the baby's body, and to a state of discomfort from high temperatures and a constrained state.
It is easier for modern young parents to find a way out of the situation by buying clothes than to learn the proper swaddling and its methods.
Swaddling Types
Previously, there were no swaddling varieties. In Soviet times, a young mother listened to her mother and mother-in-law's instructions on how to swaddle a newborn baby.
In modern society, there are 7 types of swaddling baby:
Tight - in this way swaddled children at all times.
Wide - great for sleeping, the child has the ability to move legs. You can do it both open and closed.
Open - it’s called so, because the hands of the newborn are free from swaddling, so you need to wear a vest or blouse on top.
Closed - a good solution for walking and feeding, but for him, in addition to the diaper, a vest and a hat are necessary.
Swaddling with an envelope - great for walking in the cold season, for this method you need a blanket.
Swaddling with the head - in this way the nurses in the hospital use the discharge of the baby with mom, there is a similarity with the closed technique.
Swaddling a “diaper” is a method that is especially relevant when allergic reactions or diaper rash occur in the groin area of a child.
Swaddling Methods
All seven types of swaddling have three basic techniques - wide, tight and free. So that there are no questions on how to swaddle a newborn baby, we consider these methods in more detail:
Wide swaddling - for this method you need a diaper of a triangular shape. We put the baby in the center on it, then the lower edge is folded up, closing the inguinal zone, and the lateral edges alternately wrap around the pelvis and gently tied. This method can be found in discussions: "Do I need to swaddle a newborn baby", Komarovsky, for example, often recommends it to form the correct bend of the joints.
Tight swaddling - for this technique it is necessary to use a square diaper, on the center of which the child is placed. Then, starting from the upper right corner, we wrap the newborn diagonally - down to the legs, after doing the same with the left corner. It is important to know that wrapping the baby is necessary on the shoulders, without wrapping the child’s head. We put the lower part of the diaper on top of the newborn, bending the protruding corners back, and gently fix the ends together. This technique should not be used in the hot season. Such swaddling is most relevant in the first month of life.
Free swaddling - this method leaves the upper body (arms) free. A diaper is put on the child, then the legs are wrapped around one edge, and the second is fixed so that the movements of the legs are not constrained. This swaddling technology is especially in demand up to 3 months.
Which diapers are better
It is important to remember that for any swaddling method it is necessary to use diapers only from natural materials - flannel, flannel, chintz and cotton. Because they have good breathability and practically do not cause an allergic reaction in a child. In addition, with improper care of the fabric, it can become stiff - such a diaper often leaves traces on the baby's body.
Synthetic materials, as well as improper care of the tissues, can lead to many unpleasant consequences, because the skin of the baby at this age is very delicate and vulnerable.
How many months can a baby swaddle?
In addition to the frequently asked question: “Do you want to swaddle a newborn baby?”, Many mothers are interested in whether swaddling has age restrictions. Indeed, today there are many ways that allow swaddling a child not only in the first month of his life.
There is no clear answer, all children are different, it all depends on the characteristics of the child’s behavior. The baby can be active - in this case, swaddling can help him calmly fall asleep or eat, and the swaddling period may increase. If the baby is calm, then the need to swaddle may go away already in the first month of his life. Based on maternal practice, it can be noted that tight swaddling is permissible up to 3 months, later it can affect the development of muscles and joints. A wide swaddling technique allows it to be used up to six months, because it is an excellent replacement for diapers familiar to us. How exactly to swaddle a newborn baby and up to how many months, you need to look at the situation.
Swaddling the baby at different times of the year
How to swaddle a newborn baby in the summer in the heat or in the winter in the cold? Due to the diversity of swaddling, you can choose the most suitable. So, for example, in the warmer months, it is preferable to choose a wide or open swaddling, including swaddling “diaper”. It is very important to monitor the temperature of the child, because overheating is as dangerous as hypothermia. In the cold season, it is better to choose a tight swaddling, and especially swaddling "envelope", it will allow you to keep warm.
Modern diapers
The development of new technologies does not stand still. Today you can find a number of such things and devices that greatly facilitate the life of a person. Diapers also underwent some changes.
In specialized stores you can buy diapers, which on top look like a baby's undershirts, and below look like a bag. That is, to wear such a diaper is much easier than to hone the skill of proper swaddling. It is fixed on the buttons, which in no way damage the baby's skin. His leg movements are not constrained, he can freely move them, like his hands, but there are scratches on the sleeves that can either be used or tucked and freed the child’s hands. With such diapers, young parents will not have the question: "How to swaddle a newborn baby correctly?"
Recommendations
There are general recommendations, knowing which, you can greatly facilitate learning to swaddle a child:
In order not to disturb the blood supply to organs, especially with tight swaddling, it is necessary to monitor the tug of the body in the neck and chest.
Tight swaddling is the best option for the first few weeks of a baby's life.
Remember that the newborn should lie on his back or on his side, in no case do not leave the baby on his tummy, in this position he may suffocate.
It is not necessary to leave the child unattended, it does not matter how tightly he is covered in a diaper.
Start practicing the open swaddling method from the age of two months.
Before wrapping your baby in diapers, bathe him and dry thoroughly, especially in the crease area.
Try to minimize the use of diapers so that the skin of the newborn breathes under a diaper made of natural materials.
In the warmer months, use thin diapers.
Is it necessary to swaddle a newborn baby? Refrain from this procedure or not, it is up to the parents only. There are many opinions and debates on this subject. But only parents are able to understand their baby.