| It's a brand new world. It's bigger, louder, brighter, colder, | | | | 3. Place you baby's shoulders at the top fold in blanket |
| and drier than what your baby is used to. And at times, | | | | that now goes straight across. |
| this new world can be discomforting and frightening. | | | | 4. Take the east corner of the blanket and wrap it |
| So what does she do to alert you of her fear and | | | | over the baby. Tuck it under the baby's right side, |
| discomfort: she cries. | | | | keeping the hands at the tummy. Your baby's body |
| You try feeding her, changing her diaper, giving her a | | | | and arms should be covered by the blanket at this |
| warm bath, and holding her. But to no avail, she | | | | time. |
| continues to cry. You're at your wits end due to your | | | | 5. Take the south corner and tuck it up under the |
| own lack of sleep, and you have run out of ideas. | | | | baby's right side again, making sure that the feet and |
| Fortunately, there's one idea you haven't tried yet... | | | | legs are bent and covered. |
| Swaddling is an old technique still used today in hospital | | | | 6. Finally, take the west corner of the blanket and |
| nurseries. When your baby is swaddled, it reminds her | | | | wrap it around the baby, moving toward the baby's left |
| of being in your womb. This was a very comfortable | | | | side and to the back. Your baby is now swaddled! |
| place and time for her. If you follow these simple steps, | | | | You can do this exact same process starting with the |
| you may then see your lamenting baby drift off to | | | | west corner if your prefer. You will still achieve the |
| sleep in a matter of minutes, even seconds. | | | | same results. |
| All you need for this task is a receiving blanket and | | | | Keep in mind: the more snug you wrap, the more |
| your baby. Receiving blankets are generally made of a | | | | secure your baby will feel. Don't worry about |
| light, thin cotton. While any blanket will do, a thinner | | | | squeezing the baby too tight. So long as your baby is |
| blanket is easier to maneuver--especially if you're a | | | | breathing, with the lips and general appearance pink, |
| beginner. Also, it works better if the blanket is | | | | your baby is just fine. |
| square-shaped, but it can still be done with a | | | | You can keep you baby swaddled at all times if you |
| rectangular blanket. Here's how to swaddle: | | | | wish. However, once your baby reaches 4-6 weeks |
| | | | old, it is advisable to only swaddle when putting her to |
| 1. Place the blanket on your working surface (bed, floor, | | | | sleep. This ensures that when your baby is awake, |
| sofa, etc.) with the corners pointing north, south, east, | | | | she is stimulated enough for her motor skills to develop. |
| and west; like a diamond. | | | | Initially it may take a few tries to master this technique. |
| 2. Take the north corner and fold it down to the center | | | | But once you do, just think of the sleep you and your |
| of the diamond. For smaller babies, fold lower than the | | | | baby will enjoy! |
| center. For bigger babies, fold higher than the center. | | | | |