Swaddling is the ancient practice of wrapping your baby comfortably in a blanket. It was recently made popular again by Dr. Harvey Karp’s book The Happiest Baby on the Block. The restriction of movement provided by diapers replicates the uterus and thus provides warmth and security to a newborn. Many parents say that swaddling has helped their newborn fall asleep, stay asleep, and calm down more easily. When a baby is swaddled properly, it prevents her arms from reaching up and shaking him, or scratching his face.

Parents struggling with colic have been especially big supporters of swaddling, finding that it can go a long way in calming their fussy baby.

You can keep a newborn swaddled all day and night. Since your baby has just come out of an environment where every movement was restricted, here’s what your baby knows and what has made him feel safe. They have just been thrust into a large open world. Giving them a familiar feel can often be just what it takes to calm them down.

Once your baby is about a month old, it is generally recommended to decrease the number of waking hours your baby is swaddled, as it can impede mobility and development. It’s okay to keep swaddling during naps and at night if your baby sleeps better that way.

Once your baby is able to roll over (between two and five months of age), there is concern about swaddling her tightly at night or during naps. A well-wrapped child can roll onto her stomach but cannot back up. Sleeping on your stomach is a risk factor for SIDS. This would be a good time to teach your baby to go to sleep unswaddled instead. If your child still sleeps better swaddled, swaddle loosely or leave one or both arms open to allow your baby more mobility. Remember to make sure your baby isn’t sleeping in an overheated room when she swaddles him, as overheating is also a risk factor for SIDS.

If your newborn doesn’t like being swaddled, you can try loosening the blanket or leaving one or both arms open.

For helpful tips on wrapping, watch this easy to follow video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSYPqGtFBYQ