To properly swaddle your baby follow the steps below.
To get ready:
- Place a light cotton blanket on your bed (use a 44-inch by 44-inch square) and orient it like a diamond, with a point at the top.
- Fold the top corner down. The top point should end up near the center of the blanket.
- Place your baby on the blanket, her neck right above the edge.
- Hold her right arm straight at her side. (If she resists, just be patient. The arm will straighten after a moment or two of gentle pressure.)
Now you can start:
- 1 DOWN
Holding the right arm against her side, grab the blanket about four inches from her right shoulder. Then, pull it snugly down and across her body. Tuck it under the left buttock. (It will look like half of a V-neck sweater.) Next grab the free blanket, beside her left shoulder. Tug it firmly - away from her body - to remove any slack.
Her right arm should now be straight and snug against her side. (Just as swaddling is the key to calming, this first DOWN is the key swaddling. Do it snugly...or the whole wrap will unravel.)
Note: Don't be surprised if your baby's cries escalate when you start to swaddle. Your not hurting her.
- 2 Up
Now, holding her left arm against her side, bring the point at the bottom of the blanket straight up and place it on her left shoulder. Tuck the blanket edge snugly around the left arm. Again, grab the blanket next to her shoulder and pull it straight out – away from her body – to remove any slack.
Note: The blanket should be loose around her legs, but her arms should be very snug and straight. Bent arms let babies wiggle out… and that makes them cry even more.
- 3 DOWN
Grab the blanket just a few inches from the left shoulder and pull it down. - just a smidge. The small flap should come down to her upper chest to form the other half of the V-neck. Lightly press that smidge against her breastbone, like you're holding down a ribbon while making a bow.
Note: Don't bring this fold all the way down to your baby's feet. It's just brought down to the chest.
- 4 UP
Holding the smidge on the chest, grab the last free blanket corner and pull it straight out (away from her body) to remove any slack. Then, in one smooth motion, lift that corner up and straight across her forearms… like a belt. The blanket should be big enough so that this part goes all the way around the body. Then, snug it and tuck it into the front of the “belt.”
Note: This last step is not straight up… it is really up and across. The arms will be held snug and straight, but the legs should be loose enough to bend at the knee and open at the hips.
If you’re confused at all, watch the three swaddling demonstrations on The happiest baby DVD or take a lesson from a happiest baby educator (www.happiesbaby.com). And if you’re still struggling, there are many adjustable fasteners or zipped pre-made swaddles on the market.
