Is it safe to swaddle babies?
As a new parent, it might have seemed strange when your newborn was brought to you swaddled  wrapped more like a burrito than a tiny baby. Heres what you need to know about the pros and cons of swaddling, how to swaddle a baby correctly, and how to reduce your baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Swaddling a baby pros and cons  When considering swaddling your baby and assessing safety concerns, it's important to weigh the benefits and risks. Swaddle Pros  Today, many American infants, ages 0-3 months, are swaddled. Heres how swaddling can benefit your baby:  Helps infants feel more secure as they transition to life outside the womb. In a way, swaddling is like wearing a hug. Soothes and keeps the baby calm at naptime and at night. Keeps infants from being startled by their own Moro (or startle) reflex. Those little flailing arms can disrupt a babys sleep. Promotes longer periods of sleep. Swaddling is not created to provide uninterrupted sleep, Carolynne Harvey, a baby sleep consultant for 4moms and founder of Dream Baby Sleep, told TODAY Parents. It does not have that power. Babies naturally awaken for safety measures  if they get too hot or hungry, they will wake up.  Keeps babies warm until the body can regulate temperature well. Swaddling can also indirectly benefit new moms, since cozy, secure babies sleep better and cry less, which can lead to more  and better quality  sleep and less stress for moms. In many ways, swaddling creates a win-win situation, but there are some risks, too. Swaddle cons  One of the problems with swaddling is that its hard to do it absolutely right, Michael Goodstein, MD, a neonatology physician at WellSpan Health in York, Pennsylvania, and director of the York County chapter of Cribs for Kids, told TODAY Parents. Its like baby origami.  Because getting the baby wrapped correctly in a swaddle can be difficult, parents and caregivers may end up swaddling their babies in ways that do more harm than good. Incorrect swaddling can lead to:  Hip dysplasia: If babies are swaddled too tightly around the hips, they could develop hip joint issues, including dysplasia, according to experts. In the first six months, a babys legs need to be flexed and separated; they shouldnt be restricted and forced to extend straight. Trouble breathing: Babies swaddled too tightly around the chest may not be able to breathe deeply enough. Leave about two or three fingers-width between the babys chest and the swaddle. Suffocation hazards: If swaddled too loosely, a baby could kick out of the swaddle, leaving a loose blanket in the crib  and that increases the risk of suffocation and choking. Its also important to make sure swaddled babies do not get overheated, since this raises the risk of SIDS. Signs of overheating include:  Sweating  Damp hair  Rapid breathing  Flushed cheeks  A good rule is to dress your baby in one layer more than youre comfortable wearing. Babies need to be monitored while they sleep to make sure they dont accidentally roll over. When swaddled babies are put to sleep on their stomachs  or if they roll onto their stomachs while they sleep  their risk of SIDS is 20 times greater than for non-swaddled babies. Thats because they cant use their arms or legs to get out of danger. When babies show signs of starting to roll over (usually around two months old), its time to stop swaddling. How to swaddle a baby  step by step  These steps can help you swaddle your baby correctly, according to the American Academy of Pediatrics. Check out our infographic to find out how to swaddle a baby. TODAY Illustration  Swaddle tips  There are different ways to swaddle a baby. In fact, its not even necessary to swaddle the entire body. You can swaddle only the babys arms and leave the legs free to move. Additionally, instead of using a blanket, you can try products like the Ollie Swaddle or swaddles with Velcro fasteners or snaps that make it simple to swaddle correctly. Another option is a sleep sack, which provides the snug feeling of a swaddle without all the hassle. Sleep sacks can be helpful if your baby has trouble transitioning to sleeping without a swaddle. All babies need some tummy time every day. Being on the tummy helps babies develop head and neck control as well as core muscles, explained Harvey. Do tummy time from day one, one minute three times a day, fully supported, she said. That is, place baby on your chest. Then, when baby is able to arch his back and lift his head and neck, transition to tummy time on the floor. Your pediatrician can advise you on the right time to do this, but its usually when babys around two to three weeks old.  Harvey recommended adding a minute to each session for every week of age based on your babys due date. That means that by the time your baby is 15 weeks old  or is 15 weeks post due date  he should be having 15 minutes of tummy time, three times a day. Tummy time helps prevent SIDS by strengthening muscles that allow babies to move their head if they get caught against a stuffed toy, bumper, mattress or something else. The AAP recommends that infants not be placed in child care centers until they are about three months old. By then, infants are no longer being swaddled, so the risks associated with swaddling arent a concern. Swaddling is not recommended for infants younger than two months who are placed in childcare. Variations in swaddling techniques by the different caregivers and the inability of caregivers to monitor the infant adequately if it accidentally rolls over while swaddled are among the main reasons. Swaddling and SIDS  According to the AAP, swaddling may help calm fussy infants, but there is no evidence that swaddling reduces the risk of SIDS. There are, however, other things you can do. Here are four ways to lower your babys risk of SIDS.