Caring for your newborn is one of the most enriching things ever! It is one of the most beautiful aspects of parenthood. In our quest to give the best care to our babies, we often encounter a number of practices and products. In this blog, we will talk about one such practice that has continued to help mothers comfort their babies in the first few months of life.
Before jumping on to ‘how long infants should be swaddled’, let us try to understand what this phenomenon is all about.
What is Swaddling
The wrapping technique of swaddles for newborns helps them feel cosy and secure, much like they did in the womb. Swaddling is very helpful in giving babies the time to adjust to the world around them! From controlling startle reflexes to helping them sleep longer, swaddling works like a charm from 0-3 months. Beyond this point, children start needing the freedom to move and explore their surroundings in a more mobile manner, and hence, you need to adjust as needed! Some children like being swaddled up until the age of 6 months, but it is not recommended that they do so after this age. Having said that, it is important to understand that every baby is different, and you need to be watchful of their cues to help them adjust to different developmental stages.
How Long To Swaddle Baby
While swaddling is an important technique to comfort and soothe your child in the first few months, knowing ‘how long to swaddle baby’ can be instrumental in taking care of your baby’s safety and ensuring safe development.
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0-3 months
This is the best time to swaddle the baby as it helps parents recreate the snug and comforting feeling of the womb. Besides soothing the child, swaddling at this stage is also an excellent way to make your child enjoy longer stretches of sleep. You can check out Cocoon Care’s Bamboo Muslin Swaddle Pack Of 2. It has adorable designs called Busy Bee and Cheerful Stripes.
In fact, if your child hasn't taken to swaddling like you want him/her to, you can check out our Arms Up Swaddle Sleeping Pod. This works wonders for children who love to sleep with their arms up. There are many more options for you to explore on our website.
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3-6 months
By this time, many kids start rolling over, which is a sign of transitioning out of swaddling. Once your baby crosses this milestone, you can stop swaddling. Usually, after 6 months, babies become more mobile and need the freedom to move and hence, swaddling stops serving any real purpose. At this stage, you can opt for Cocoon Care’s swaddle-out transition pods, which will help you make a seamless transition from swaddling.
Conclusion
As your precious baby grows, its needs change and the developmental benchmarks also become different. Swaddling is a comforting practice during the early months, but knowing how long to swaddle a baby is just as important as knowing when to start or how to swaddle.
When you are mindful of the little changes, you can be empowered to create a soothing and safe environment for your child to thrive. Talking of soothing and safe, we suggest you check out an expansive range of options on Cocoon Care, including baby clothes, baby rompers, baby sleepsuits, etc., to give the best care to your little one.
FAQs on How Long To Swaddle
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Is it OK to swaddle a newborn all day?
Your child needs to engage in free movement to develop optimally, and hence, it is not recommended that your child be swaddled all day.
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Is it OK to leave the baby swaddled all night?
As long as your baby is wrapped properly and he/she is made to sleep on their back, swaddling overnight is safe.
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What are the 5 benefits of swaddling a newborn?
Swaddling a newborn can:
- Calm the baby
- Keep startle reflex in check
- Helps your baby sleep longer
- Keep your baby warm
- Provide comfort
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Do babies sleep longer if swaddled?
Kids usually wake up by startle reflex, and swaddling is a great way to keep an eye on that. This helps kids enjoy a long and sound sleep.
