Learning to soothe a newborn baby to sleep is one of the most challenging tasks that you will encounter as a new parent — and for good reason. Your newborn has yet to develop self-soothing capabilities, nor are they able to tell you exactly what they need in order to be lulled into dreamland. As a result, it can become one big exhausting guessing game.

Let’s Start With: “Why Should I Swaddle My Baby?”

A Warm, Cozy, Secure Baby Sleeps Better — Period.

If your baby was able to speak, I am pretty sure they would tell you that what they crave is the warm, cozy and secure environment that he/she was accustomed to in the womb. That is why, as a Certified Pediatric Sleep Consultant, I always recommend to my clients with newborns to invest in a soft muslin blanket, like Monica + Andy's Always Blankets, to wrap their babies in prior to naps and bedtime, or for little houdinis, the Swaddelini. Research shows what ancient cultures have known for centuries — that babies who are swaddled sleep longer and cry less. There are a multitude of reasons why.

Benefits of Swaddling with a muslin blanket

Prevents them from being awakened by the Moro Reflex (aka the startle reflex).
Allows babies to maintain ideal body temperature as the muslin fabric is breathable, moisture-wicking and warm.
Stimulates the gentle pressure they received in the womb, which also helps to relieve colic.
Inhibits face and head-scratching.
Lowers risk of SIDS

Swaddling Safety Tips

Here are some important safety tips about swaddling for parents with newborns:

Do not double swaddle as it can lead to overheating.
Tuck in any loose ends of the blanket into the swaddle.
Make sure that there is enough room around your baby’s hips and legs so that they can move naturally to prevent hip dysplasia.
Unswaddle your baby when they are awake so that they have plenty of opportunities to move those muscles.
Discontinue using the swaddle once your baby is able to roll from their back to their belly.

Swaddling and SIDS

Most importantly, swaddling lowers the risks of SIDS by helping babies stay on their backs while sleeping, eliminating the need for loose blankets in their crib/bassinets and prevents them from overheating.

How To Safely and Successfully Swaddle a Newborn Baby

Lastly, here is a helpful video on how to swaddle your newborn baby. If you find it challenging at first or if your baby doesn’t take to it right away, that is completely normal. Keep on trying and before you know it, both you and your baby will grow to love the swaddle as much as millions of parents and babies have before you!