Free swaddling newborns: features, rules and recommendations

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

Swaddling has been used since ancient times, and if earlier it was the only way to dress a newborn, now a young mother has many other options. At the same time, one should not forget about the advantages of this method, despite the large number of beautiful clothes available in stores. To begin with, it is worth understanding the definition of loose and tight swaddling. The first one is considered the most suitable for newborns.

How to choose

Free swaddling of the baby allows the baby to feel safe, as if in the womb of the mother. Unlike tight, it also ensures that the body is in a natural position. At the same time, too tight wrapping increases the likelihood of overheating and makes it difficult to fully breathe.

Excessively active movements, sharp screams and shudders from fright indicate that free swaddling of handles is not yet suitable and a tighter option should be used. At the same time, it is undesirable if the baby sleeps calmly in pants and a vest.

Features

A newborn in a comfortable “cocoon” easily moves his legs and arms, adapting to an unfamiliar environment. Sometimes young parents are faced with the categorical opinion of the older generation regarding the method of swaddling. Previously, it was believed that due to such wrapping, curvature of the legs and posture disorders could be prevented. But in fact, this is nothing more than a myth, while the child develops more slowly due to impaired blood circulation and a forced, not always convenient position for him.

Movements allow you to recognize your abilities, learn about the world around you and your own body, at the same time the baby will not be afraid of thrown up hands, as the free swaddling of newborns somewhat limits the space and resembles being in the womb. This speeds up the time to fall asleep, thanks to which this method is often used for night sleep.

Among the positive aspects, it is worth noting the versatility of diapers. You don’t have to worry about the fact that the baby will wake up from the cold, which is very important in the autumn-winter period. At the same time, overalls and other items of clothing become small much faster than diapers, so by choosing the right size, you can use one set from birth to six months.

What you need to know

Based on the behavior of the child, you can determine the need for swaddling. If he is afraid of his own hands, sleeps restlessly and wakes up too often, then you can try to abandon the usualclothes. The baby will feel comfortable in a cozy "cocoon" made of soft fabric. At the same time, a violation of muscle tone and a pronounced protest of the baby indicate that free and complete swaddling is not suitable. Also, in order to avoid overheating, do not wrap the baby in a hot room both at night and during the day.

Special attention should be paid to technique. The easiest way to get acquainted with it is by watching the training video. The most important thing is that the child can take a comfortable position, that is, bend the legs at the knees. The upper part of the diaper can be at the level of the abdomen, in which case only the legs will be wrapped, or around the neck.

Benefits

The impossibility of a greenhouse effect due to free air circulation is the main advantage of this technique. As you know, free swaddling provides the work of all parts of the lungs, early hardening and strengthening of immunity. At the same time, the baby can sleep in a position convenient for him, for example, on his stomach. It is also worth noting the possibility of developing fine motor skills, touch and preventing the occurrence of joint dysplasia. Freedom of movement is provided not only by soft diapers, but also by envelopes made of natural fabrics.

There are two main swaddling methods:

• arms and legs have the same freedom of movement;
• diaper is positioned so that only legs are wrapped.

Free swaddling rules

It is necessary to carefully straighten all the resulting folds on the fabric, asThe delicate skin of a newborn is very easy to injure. It is important to keep the chin and nose open at all times to prevent difficulty in breathing. The ambient temperature is also of particular importance, while overheating is more dangerous for a child than hypothermia. If the apartment is cool, you can use a combination of two diapers (flannel and cotton) or additionally dress the baby in a thin jumpsuit or a set of sliders and a blouse.

It is undesirable to wear a cap indoors, as this makes it difficult for natural thermoregulation. At high temperatures, the best option would be a chintz or cooler, with which you can simply cover the baby. It is strictly forbidden to fasten diapers with pins due to the risk of injury.

Skin contact with fur and woolen materials is undesirable. Diapers and clothes made from environmentally friendly soft materials, pre-washed with a special powder and ironed, are best.

When you can't do without swaddling

At first glance, it may seem that today tight or loose swaddling has become irrelevant due to the wide variety of clothes for the smallest, disposable and reusable diapers and other tools that simplify the life of a young mother. But do not categorically refuse diapers, as they become indispensable in the following situations:

• When the baby can't calm down. In the first time after birth, the limbs can frighten the baby due to sharp, chaotic movements, while in the womb they did not cause him anydiscomfort. Free wide swaddling will ensure a restful sleep and warm the crumbs. So you don't have to worry about awkward movements disturbing your rest.
• First bathroom. It is believed that if a child is wrapped in a diaper, then he will not be afraid of water and will feel safe.
• During medical procedures. For example, it is much easier to warm the stomach during colic with a heating pad if you use a diaper to secure it. There are also many other activities that are unpleasant but necessary for the baby.
• For hygiene procedures. It is extremely difficult to use eye drops, clean the nose and ears if the baby diligently resists. Swaddling in this case allows you to limit movement for the time required to carry out all actions.
• It is not uncommon for diapers to not fit and contribute to the formation of rashes and diaper rash, while there is constant air exchange in the diapers, which accelerates the healing of wounds.

When in doubt about the need for swaddling, you should not be guided only by the advice of close and older relatives, as all children are different and each of them requires a special approach.

Useful tools

Changing table is essential if you plan to change for a long time. Today in stores you can find both full-fledged pieces of furniture and folding ones that are easy to take on trips or freely move around the house. The chest of drawers with a changing board has gained the greatest distribution. He will take offload from the back of the mother, provides easy care for the child, and after the board is no longer needed, it can be removed and the chest of drawers used only for storage.

Types of diapers

There are a large number of different diapers, the most common are the following options:

• envelopes that allow free swaddling;
• standard flannel and chintz;
• for handles with open legs;
• Terry with a hood, used after water treatments.

The amount is selected depending on the use of disposable or gauze diapers. Several diapers a day are more than enough when using diapers. Otherwise, there must be at least 20 pieces, subject to daily washing.

Free swaddling of the legs has no contraindications, provided that all hygiene procedures are carried out, the rules are observed and used for no more than six months. At the same time, for a mother, caring for a child should promote close communication and bring pleasure, and not be a daily necessary routine.

Myths

• Due to tight swaddling, many diseases can be avoided. Unfortunately, it's exactly the opposite. Cases of developing pneumonia are much more common in children who are constantly wrapped in diapers.
• You can do without swaddling. It all depends on the newborn, someone cannot sleep without him, and someone does not immediately let himself be wrapped up.
• Tight swaddling isprevention of curvature of the legs. If this were true, then every child born in the USSR would have perfectly straight legs.

Young parents should weigh the pros and cons of swaddling a newborn and choose the best option for themselves. But the fact remains unchanged that the baby during wakefulness should be warm, comfortable and be able to freely move his legs and arms.

Types of swaddling

In addition to free swaddling, tight swaddling is also common, which involves the use of two large diapers. The head of the baby is covered with a hood from the top of the diaper, and the body is tightly wrapped in it. The use of this option is rational for restless sleep and in case of overexcitation.

Therapeutic swaddling is prescribed by a pediatrician only for certain indications. Basically, they are the treatment and prevention of hip dysplasia.

When partially wrapping, only legs or handles can be wrapped. Other parts of the body can move freely, as they are covered with nothing. Each of the options above has its own advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for certain situations.