During pregnancy the baby is protectively wrapped in the womb, and so after birth, a continuation of the experience of being securely wrapped is beneficial to baby and parent alike.

Newborn babies lose heat very quickly, and the heat they create is momentary so they need to be warm and cosy constantly - even if the weather is warm, or the heating is on, we can't judge babies warmth from our own feelings of heat or cold.

Layering is essential so that warm air can be trapped between baby and the layers of clothes - this helps ensure the warmth doesn't get lost too quickly. Dressing in layers means that you can take off the top layer when baby gets to warm, or when you go from outside to the warmth inside, but always have baby dressed in their Baby Body to ensure they don't get cold.

Swaddling helps to maintain this layer of warmth; even in summer months, when a baby is newborn; in those first few weeks and months as they properly begin to arrive here with you, this experience of being enveloped is essential to their sense of security. They are not used to wide open spaces, and so to gently allow them to get used to this possibility is very supportive to them.

When swaddling baby, it is essential that you allow their arms free to point upwards, so when swaddling, baby needs to be lain diagonally across the blanket, folding each side in first, and then tucking up the bottom.

Swaddling when baby is sleeping ensures that the Moro or startle reflex, where the baby throws up their arms and awakens themselves is lessened, as the arms are wrapped securely in the blanket.

As baby wants to feel freer, and when their internal thermostats are more efficient, then the blanket can be used to tuck in around them instead of as a swaddle.

Another benefit of swaddling is if your baby is suffering with eczema - swaddling doesn't allow any reflex scratching to happen, and also holds baby secure while their body takes on this fight within itself; if you are swaddling for eczema, another key tip is to use a Liv Bed Sheet cut down to the right size. Poplin cotton is much smoother and cooler against eczema skin - and remember to use a hot iron first - both to disinfect the material, and to ensure the cloth is as smooth as possible.

As with everything between you and your baby, you have to trust your instincts, so if having tried swaddling, it "just doesn't work" for you, or your baby demands to be free, these are communication tools to help you know what to do, and what not to do. Trust yourself!

Further information:

Swaddling instruction referenced from:
The Incarnating Child
Joan Salter
Hawthorn Press
ISBM 1 869 890 04 3