Swaddling: An Age-Old Practice with Modern Benefits

Swaddling—the art of wrapping a newborn snuggly in a blanket—has been practiced for centuries across cultures. It mimics the cozy environment of the womb, offering comfort and security during a baby’s early weeks. While many parents swear by its calming effects, swaddling must be done correctly to ensure safety.

Swaddling is wrapping a newborn in a cosy cloth cocoon. Swaddling mimics the warmth, closeness and intimacy of the womb which can bring comfort and security and may promote better, more restful sleep. Swaddling can help soothe a baby as well as decrease their startle reflex. 

What are other names for Swaddling?

Baby Burrito
Swaddling clothes
Huddling
Swathing
Enrobing

How did Swaddling start?

Swaddling was already an ancient practice at the time of Jesus’ birth. Archaeological evidence from as early as 4000 BC in Central Asia demonstrates babies were swaddled. The practice likely spread through trading routes to other cultures. Different cultures had their own versions of swaddling. Some cultures tightly wrapped the infant to render them immobile. Some even secured the infant to a cradleboard.

What was the purpose of early Swaddling?

Some of the reasons for swaddling in ancient times are the same as today, to provide comfort and security to the baby or to prevent the baby from accidently hurting themselves. Some ancient cultures also believed that swaddling was necessary to shape the infant correctly or to ensure the infant was not weak or imperfect. Some cultures also believed that swaddling protected the infant from evil spirits. In past times and modern times, when the new mother had to work in the fields, swaddling provided improved safety and easier transport of the child.

Swaddling has been used since the time before Jesus. In the Gospel of Luke, Mary wrapped her newborn son “in swaddling clothes” (Luke 2:7). At this time in history both the rich and the poor swaddled infants.

Why are babies swaddled today?

1. The womb provided a safe peaceful world where sights, sounds and stimuli were buffered and blunted. The outside world has raw, unfiltered stimuli that can startle and often cause fear in the infant. Swaddling provides a cozy loving cocoon.
2. The temperature in the womb is always perfect and keeps the little one perfectly warm and cozy. After birth temperatures can swing widely for the infant. Temperature control in babies, especially newborns, takes time to develop. Swaddling helps keep the infant warm by the insulating ability of the cloth and because limbs are kept close to the body.
3. As babies learn about their bodily dimensions and how to control their arms they can scratch or hit themselves. Swaddling positions the arms safely by their sides.
4. Stimulation was muted while the baby was in the Mother’s womb. After birth the new sights, sounds and tactile stimuli can be alarming to the infant. Swaddling can help soothe and pacify babies who are overstimulated. If the baby has a constant stress environment, like in an incubator or is on nasal CPAP, swaddling has been shown to decrease their stress.
5. Swaddling can be helpful during medical procedures that may be stressful or uncomfortable or when the child is ill or having uncomfortable bodily symptoms such as digestive or skin issues.
6. Some babies sleep more soundly and longer if they are swaddled. It’s important to never lay a swaddled infant on their stomach.

Harvey Karp, an American pediatrician, is one of the most recognized contemporary proponents of swaddling. Karp claims that newborns are born “immature,” an evolutionary compromise allowing for a large brain to be birthed through the maternal pelvis. He suggests that neonates are born with a “calming reflex,” an automatic process that can be selectively turned on or off by mimicking the intrauterine environment. According to Karp, swaddling is one of the five key ways to induce the “calming reflex.”   “Remember—your baby’s brain was so big that you had to ‘evict’ her after nine months, even though she was still smushy, mushy and very immature. As a result, she isn’t quite ready for the big, bad outside world”. Pertaining to swaddling, Karp writes: “The womb kept your precious little one wrapped in a tight ball for months. But after birth, the sudden absence of your uterine wall allows her to spin her arms . . . whack herself in the face . . .”  Karp goes on to state: “A newborn’s brain is so immature that it has a hard time controlling that little body. Sometimes, babies want to suck a finger but end up poking a thumb in their eye instead of their mouth”.

How do you Swaddle?

1. With one corner at the top in a diamond shape spread out a thin blanket on a stable safe surface that is larger than the blanket.
2. Fold the one corner down to approximately the center of the blanket or a 1/4 fold depending on the size and shape of the blanket.
3. Place baby on their back so their head is completely above the edge of the folded corner.
4. Straighten 1 of the baby's arms so it is by their side and fold the corner on that side across the baby's body and tuck the corner under the baby's body. The swaddle blanket should be snug but not tight.
5. Straighten the other arm by the baby's side. Bring the corner on that side across the baby and tuck under their back.
6. Fold the bottom corner up and tuck under the loose edge of the blanket and under the baby's back. The legs should be able to move freely in the swaddle.

Risks of Swaddling:

1. SIDS if the baby turns over onto their stomach.
2. There may be a risk of hip injury if the swaddle is too tight.
3. Causing the baby to overheat by using regular blankets.

How do you minimize swaddling risks?

1. Do not place the infant on their stomach (prone) or on their side.
2. Use light, breathable fabrics. Do not use regular blankets.
3. Do not tightly wrap the legs. The upper part of the swaddle should be snug but not tight. Two fingers should be able to slide between the blanket and the chest.
4. The swaddle should be secure. Loose fabric creates suffocation and injury risk.

When do you stop swaddling?

When the baby starts to roll do not swaddle unless the baby is in your arms or under your constant supervision. Typically most babies learn to roll between 4-6 months; however, for some babies they start to be able to roll at 3 months and are able to perform a complete roll at 4 months.

Mary was able to turn a stable into a home for Jesus, with poor swaddling clothes 
and an abundance of love.” — Pope Francis