Swaddling
Putting the Myths to Rest
Chances are, if you are a first time parent, you’ve never even heard of swaddling. Swaddling is an age-old practice that dates back to around 4000 B.C. in Central Asia according to archaeological records. Perhaps the most famous record of swaddling is found in the Bible concerning the birth of Jesus. While swaddling is an ancient technique, it’s made a huge comeback recently becoming perhaps the single most effective tool available for providing safe sleep for infants.
Well-known scientific studies validate the efficacy of a proper swaddle with its numerous benefits. By replicating the comforting and familiar sensations of the womb which trigger the ‘calming reflex’, clinical studies have shown that proper swaddling significantly reduces and often eliminates typical fussiness or crying, and is especially useful when consoling a colicky baby. Swaddling makes infants feel more secure and limits the startle reflex, thus preventing unwanted arousal. Most importantly, it keeps an infant safely asleep on their back—even ones who otherwise prefers the riskier stomach-sleeping position. An exhaustive study done in Australia has shown swaddling contributes to a reduction of SIDS risk by as much as 30% when compared to unswaddled on-the-back sleeping. Compared to other sleeping positions, the risk reduction was shown to be even greater.
So what is swaddling? Practically speaking, swaddling is defined as wrapping infants snugly in swaddling clothes, blankets or similar cloth so that movement of the limbs is tightly restricted.
The most common wrap involves strategically folding a square receiving blanket. This is often the case in hospital settings. As simple as the OB nurses make it seem, though, it’s a task new parents frequently abandon since the blankets easily come unraveled. As a result, several manufacturers have creatively simplified and enhanced the classic swaddle with unique and very effective blanket designs. In fact, the choices have become so diverse that it can be a bit daunting when trying to choose which one to purchase.
Beyond that concern, there’s an alarming trend, some emerging products are being marketed as a “swaddle” when they are in fact lacking the very discernible scientifically-proven attributes that make swaddling safe and effective. While these products do serve the purpose of eliminating loose bedding, they are misleading parents who are missing out on the very real benefits of a true swaddle including; SIDS reduction, soothing of stress/colic/crying, reduction of the startle reflex, longer sleep times, and more.
When it comes to swaddling, know what you’re looking for. It’s crucial to separate the myths from the facts. When you do, you’ll no doubt experience the true benefits this tool has to offer.
MYTH
A wearable blanket or other zip-up sack is just as good as a swaddling blanket to help babies sleep.
FACT: Medical research showing the incredible efficacy of proper swaddling has been done using a snugly-wrapped blanket with arms comfortably immobilized; usually at the sides. Wearable blankets are loose, apply no pressure to the mid-section to mimic the womb, and do not keep the arms snugly inside.
MYTH
Babies need their hands free to self-soothe, develop motor skills, and to flail their arms if they are in distress.
FACT: Babies are not coordinated enough to practice motor skills and/or self-soothe (ie. suck hands) reliably until 14 weeks. Until then, even if they successfully get their hands to their mouth, their own reflexes will just pull them out again. Swaddling is a substitute for self-soothing during this time (0-14 weeks). Because of their lack of motor control, baby’s loose hands can scratch and hit their faces, causing more arousals and crying. As for flailing if they are in distress, babies are very good at crying when there’s a problem – flailing arms can only contribute to making the problem worse.
MYTH
Wearable blankets and other zip-up sacks help babies sleep better.
FACT: Only proper swaddling has been shown in clinical studies to calm a fussy, colicky baby while helping baby sleep safer, better, deeper and longer on their backs, while also eliminating loose bedding. A wearable blanket is a valuable tool in that it eliminates loose bedding.
MYTH
Wearable blankets and other zip-up sacks contribute to a decrease in the risk of SIDS.
FACT: Proper swaddling has been shown in clinical studies to reduce SIDS by as much as 30% even over back-sleeping babies without swaddling. Wearable blankets and other zip-up sacks keep a baby warm and eliminate loose bedding to decrease the risk of suffocation.
MYTH
Tight swaddling can interfere with lung expansion, contributing to the risk of suffocation.
FACT: Proper swaddling with a snugly wrapped blanket is a safe alternative to loose bedding in the crib. Research on swaddling has shown that a tight swaddle does not inhibit oxygen absorption or respiration. And, no incident of suffocation due to overly tight swaddling has ever been reported. With millions of people around the world swaddling every night, there would be thousands of such reports if this were a problem; it would be immediately and overwhelmingly obvious.