Some parents are unsure about the idea of swaddling their newborn or young baby. Swaddling is more or less akin to putting them in a straight jacket which, to an adult, can seem rather cruel. However, having their limbs so restricted is not so unappealing to a young baby and it can actually be both sooth a fussy baby and help promote a more restful sleep.
The reason most babies enjoy swaddling is that it reminds them of the safety of their mother’s womb, which of course would have allowed for very limited movement, particularly towards the end of pregnancy. While adults can feel claustrophobic if they can’t move, it can be a relief to a very little baby who sometimes finds it difficult to control his flailing limbs. Newborns also still have their “startle reflex” (also known as a “moro reflex”), which means they can jerk themselves awake quite easily. Restricting the moro reflex means that they are much less likely to be startled into wakefulness at the slightest noise.
Keeping a baby swaddled at night will prevent them from rolling onto their tummies. This will mean they remain in the safest position for reducing the risk of sudden infant death. A further reason why swaddling can be better than other forms of baby bedding is that it keeps the baby at a constant temperature so they are less likely to wake because they are cold.
Swaddling is best done with a square blanket, and will take some practise till it seems like second nature and becomes quick and easy. It can be easier to buy a specially designed swaddling blanket, such as the Miracle Blanket, which make the process much simpler and are less likely to unravel.