Cosy and snug – safety advice for swaddling your baby

Cosy and snug – safety advice for swaddling your baby - Featured Image

Some research has questioned the safety of swaddling,^[1] as well as potential effects on breastfeeding,^[2] but other research suggests it can provide comfort and prevent a baby from becoming startled. If you decide to swaddle your baby, here is some advice from Durham University's Sleep and Infancy Centre.

Wrap your baby firmly but not tightly.
Your baby’s legs and feet should be able to move and bend at the hip.
Make sure your baby‘s head is not covered.
If you bring your baby into your bed, remove swaddling so they don’t overheat. Remember to follow safe sleeping advice if you bring your baby into your bed.
Always place your baby on their back to sleep.
If you are going to swaddle, it is safest to do this from birth – not when your baby is two or three months old.

You can also find more advice about swaddling a baby from The Lullaby Trust.

References:

[1] Basis, Baby Sleep Info Source. A project for the Durham Infancy & Sleep Centre, Swaddling for Sleep. Available: https://www.basisonline.org.uk/swaddling-for-sleep/#:~:text=Swaddling%20can%20also%20put%20babies,move%20covers%20from%20their%20faces

[2] NCT, Swaddling a baby: the benefits, risks and seven safety tips. Available: https://www.nct.org.uk/baby-toddler/slings-and-swaddling/swaddling-baby-benefits-risks-and-seven-safety-tips