Newborn care: should babies be swaddled

2024 Author: Priscilla Miln | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-16 00:21

Affordable, comfortable and familiar clothing for a newborn has always been considered a diaper. But with the advent of the possibility of acquiring sliders, undershirts, the question began to arise in front of young parents more and more often: “Is it necessary to swaddle children?” After all, each family member is concerned about the proper development of his child, besides, if you listen to the recommendations of some doctors, you can come to the conclusion that wrapping a baby in a sheet is not such a comfortable state for him. Therefore, this publication will consider the pros and cons of a topic that concerns many families: “Do I need to swaddle newborn babies?”

Why diapers were invented

One famous doctor gave an intelligible answer about the causes of diapers. He explained it from an economic point of view. Since a person’s clothing must be adapted to the size of his body, it is logical to assume that a baby growing by the day is very difficult tofinancial side to provide all sorts of sliders and vests. Therefore, smart ancestors solved the problem with the help of diapers. But it’s really economical, and for at least six months, if you have several dozen sheets, you can not worry about new clothes for the baby.

Somewhat later, pediatricians substantiated the expediency of swaddling with the development of even legs, arms and the entire skeleton of the child. The unquestioning answer to the question of the times of the Soviet Union about whether it is necessary to swaddle children was: “Definitely, and tighter!” Later, scientists decided to test the results of such requirements, and as it turned out, limbs crooked from birth did not become even after tight wrappings of the baby.

Criticism of tight swaddling

After proving that the cramped dressing of a child in diapers does not affect the further development of the skeleton, scientists began to move forward in these studies. Then the pediatricians came to the conclusion that it is difficult for a baby to breathe in such a tight cocoon and normal blood supply in this state is impossible. In addition, such children were more likely to have prickly heat and diaper rash.

Going further in their research, smart doctors have decided that tight swaddling is uncomfortable. After all, a natural pose for a child is a pose with tucked-in arms, legs and the possibility of their movement. And the “soldier” stand, which was considered a reference for a newborn, brings mental and physical discomfort. From now on, parental andthe medical community became opponents in a discussion on the topic: “Should a baby be swaddled from birth?”

An alternative to tight clothing

But no matter how criticized swaddling, yet it has not received a final ban. A golden mean was found in this matter - free wrapping. That is, the child seems to be in a sheet, but is not limited in movements within the created space. Such satisfaction of needs suited everyone: mothers, fathers, children, but not the conservative views of grandmothers. Moreover, they complained about the aesthetic component of swaddling, they say, before the babies looked like smooth rollers, and now, when loosely wrapped, it resembles a sloppy bag.

And when, it would seem, agreement was reached on this issue, information began to appear in the media giving a categorically negative answer to the question: “Should children be swaddled?”

Even light wrapping was condemned. Now it was believed that free swaddling limits the perception of the world by the baby, prevents the harmonious upbringing and development of the personality, and also restrains individuality. And such harassment is simply not possible in a democratic 21st century.

Does swaddling really hinder development

After the public got acquainted with the conclusions of psychologists proving the negative impact of swaddling on the further development of the child, a huge number of couples clutched their heads because of the wrong way they chose to raise babies. They believed that their children, having passed the period of wrapping in sheets,will grow up as less developed and uninitiated people. While babies dressed from birth in loose clothes will be harmoniously developed personalities.

A well-known pediatrician called this behavior of parents a group instinct, which has a detrimental effect on common sense. After all, if you think, without succumbing to emotions, then what period was the heyday of human civilization? Space exploration, the invention of computers and all existing technology, the construction of nuclear power plants and much more - all this was created by people whose parents did not have the question: “Do I need to swaddle a child at night or only during the day?” The geniuses of science and the same psychologists who came to the above conclusions were swaddled, and they grew up as accomplished and gifted people.

Is it necessary to swaddle a baby: the opinions of doctors

The undeniable fact and common truth are the following factors that really affect the full development of the individual:

• Genetic component.
• Psychological climate in the family.
• Child he alth status.
• Religious, pedagogical education.
• The value system in the family, formed by generations.

Swaddling is not on this list because there is no scientific evidence linking sheet wrapping to personality development issues.

Therefore, the opinion of doctors on this matter is as follows: to swaddle or not to swaddle a child is a matter for a particular family. Parents, depending on their capabilities, desires and lifestyle, choose howmeet the needs of your child in a way.

Benefits of not using diapers

When there is an alternative to something, there will always be its supporters and opponents. Is this how things stand in the struggle between diapers and undershirts? The opinions of some experts in this matter are based on the economic component. Anti-diaper propaganda is an opportunity to make money on the production or resale of beautiful children's gizmos: suits, sandals, sliders and other colorful, cute clothes.

As expensive as baby products are, there are several positives to ditching diapers:

• Reduces the chance of baby overheating.
• The use of rompers and vests simplifies the process of changing a child, it does not require special skills, and therefore a father can handle it.
• The natural stay of the baby in ordinary clothes is a comfortable state for him. That is, the child's motor activity is not limited.

When you need to wrap your baby in diapers

There are times when you should not refuse to wrap your child in sheets. If up to this point, cases were considered in which the child was full-term and he althy, then how are things going with babies born prematurely?

Therefore, to the question of whether it is necessary to swaddle a premature baby, the unequivocal answer is yes. Firstly, such children are not properly prepared for a meeting with the outside world, and therefore, in a wrapped state, they feel like in utero, that isfamiliar and secure. And secondly, a weakened premature baby is limited in movement during swaddling, and all the energy in the body is directed not to physical actions, but to strengthening all life-supporting functions.

Swaddling is also prescribed for children with dysplasia. That is, if there is a need for this, then doctors, upon discharge from the hospital, must prescribe swaddling for such babies.

In closing

It should be understood that the decision on whether to swaddle children falls entirely on the shoulders of parents with the recommendation of doctors in some non-standard situations. The above pros and cons are not fundamental. And if an older child was raised in a family without undershirts, then it is not necessary to change the tactics of behavior in this matter in relation to the younger one.

The main thing is a stable psychological climate in the family, when parents do not get nervous, do not swear, and the child develops in the way that suits him. If the baby sleeps well in a diaper, so be it. After all, this still does not affect the he alth of the child and the development of his personality.