4 Best Ways to Swaddle a Baby: Guide for New Parents

Swaddling has long been used, particularly for young babies, to replicate the sense of security that they experience in the womb (thank you mumma!). It has been shown to help settle for baby sleep (of course every baby is different, trust your instincts). It may seem complicated, but practice your chosen technique a couple of times and you will be deftly snuggling up baby in no time. 

Here are the top 4 ways on how to swaddle your little one. 

1) The Traditional Swaddle

One of the most well-known techniques. It's straightforward and requires nothing more than a delicate, breathable blanket.

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1 - Place a large square blanket flat and fold one corner approximately a hand length downwards.

Step 2 - Place your baby face-up on the blanket with the top of the fold just above their neckline. Put their left arm down by their side and take the left side of the blanket across their body and tuck underneath

Step 3 - Repeat this process for the right-hand side of your baby

Step 4 - Finally, fold the bottom of the blanket upwards and either tuck in the top or tuck each side underneath your little one.

Why It's Effective:

This conventional swaddle gives a cosy fit, which mirrors the feeling of being in the womb, making a difference to calm and settle, especially in newborns.

2) The Arms-Up Swaddle

The arms-up swaddle is perfect for babies who prefer having their arms free, permitting them to discover their hands. 

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1 - Place your blanket on a flat surface (make sure it’s big enough to cover all of your baby) 

Step 2 - Take one corner and fold down approximately the length of your baby’s body from neck to bum. You will end up with almost a triangle shape. 

Step 3 - Tuck baby’s left hand underneath the fold that you’ve made, then wrap that side across their body and tuck underneath them.

Step 4 - Fold up the bottom of the blanket and tuck just the tip of the corner into the top of the swaddle. Make sure there is enough room at the bottom for their legs to move about in the frog position.

Step 5 - Then tuck baby’s right hand underneath the fold (ensuring their hands are next to their face) and fold the right-hand side across the baby’s body. You should see a ‘V’ shape underneath their chin.

Step 6 - Finally, wrap the right side all the way underneath, tucking the end of the corner into the front of the swaddle.

Why It's Effective:

This style is ideal for newborn babies who like to have their arms tucked up or who often have a startle reflex. It has been shown to help avoid rolling over as well.

3) The Houdini Swaddle

For the baby who wiggles out of everything, but sleeps better when swaddled into a little burrito shape. 

Step-by-Step Guide:

Step 1 - Place the blanket on a flat surface and ensure that it is large enough to cover the baby’s body.

Step 2 - Fold one corner down about 4 inches, giving you a rough diamond shape.

Step 3 - Place your baby on their back with the top line of the diamond just above their neck.

Step 4 - Tuck your baby’s hands underneath the fold of the swaddle, so that they are placed by their shoulders or face. Alternatively, you can leave their arms out and tuck the swaddle underneath their armpits instead (this is ideal for older babies).

Step 5 - Take the right side of the blanket across their body and tuck underneath their left side.

Step 6 - Fold the bottom tail of the blanket upwards towards the baby’s head and securely tuck into the top right side of the fold.

Step 7 - Finally, take the left side and wrap it across their body and tuck underneath them on the right-hand side.

Why It's Effective:

This can be ideal for 6 weeks plus babies, being snug on the arms and chest and looser on the hips and legs.

4) The Twofold/Double Swaddle

The twofold swaddle allows two covers to make an additional layer of snugness.

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Put the main swaddle blanket down in a diamond shape. Fold the top corner down about 1/4 of the way. This is where your baby's head will go in a minute.
2. Fold another swaddle blanket into a rectangle and place it on top of the blanket you folded down.
3. Lay your baby down so the top of his or her shoulders are parallel with the part of the blanket you folded down.
4. Fold one rectangle piece over your baby’s arm and then tuck it under his or her back to secure the arm. Repeat this step for the other arm.
5. Swaddle as normal, folding one side in and tucking it behind baby's back. Then fold the bottom up and the other side over.

Why It's Effective:

The twofold swaddle culminates for babies who have inconvenience settling down or remaining snoozing. The additional layer gives extra warmth and security.

Conclusion

Swaddling can encourage babies to sleep deeper and for longer. A study found that babies who were born early and were swaddled were calmer and had improved neuromuscular development and better muscle tone, and it soothed pain and discomfort (Sleuwen et al, 2007; Kitase et al, 2017).

Remember, follow safe sleep advice alongside our tips & tricks. When swaddling your little one, you should leave just enough room to slide your hand between the material and baby’s chest to make sure they’re not wrapped too tightly.

Happy Sleeping!