Why do we swaddle babies?

• Swaddling helps your baby feel safe and secure as they adjust to life outside the womb. 
• Swaddling helps keep your baby warm.
• Swaddled babies sleep longer as their startle reflex doesn’t wake them up.
• Swaddling can help them develop their muscles 
• Swaddling can help babies cope with painful procedures e.g. blood tests) and caregiving e.g. weights or baths.
  

Swaddling tips:

• Firmly wrap your baby’s arms bent up to their chest or under their chin (this is more comfortable for your baby than straight arms).
• Loosely wrap around the hips to ensure legs can move freely. 
• Swaddles should be firm without being too restrictive.

Note: if your baby cant be swaddled for medical reasons (close observation) they will be nested to support their body.