Posted in: Baby & Kids

How to Wrap a Baby, with Red Nose

little brown bear toy crafted from leftover cotton yarn in orange shirt lies on orange cotton muslin baby wrapslittle brown bear toy crafted from leftover cotton yarn in orange shirt lies on orange cotton muslin baby wraps

Wrapping, swaddling, or a third, entirely different word? Whatever you call it, there’s no denying that it’s a useful method to assist your baby to settle, self-soothe and to stay asleep. 

And when your little one may sleep for up to 17 hours a day — well, that’s (potentially) a lot of time spent wrapped (or swaddled) up.

Oh, and Red Nose Chief Midwife Jane Wiggill adds that wrapping can “reduce crying time.”

It also helps provide stability, helping keep babies “nice and stable in the back sleeping position” — the recommended position. 

Careful wrapping is critical to keeping your baby both safe and comfortable while they’re sleeping. If you want to know safe swaddling guidelines, Jane walked us through the steps of how to wrap a baby.

But before we get started, remember that 0-3 months is the safest time to be wrapping babies. Wrapping should cease as soon as you see signs they might be able to roll soon. 

 

How to Securely Wrap A Baby

Lay the wrap out. Place your baby on top of the wrap, off-centre — the level should be at their shoulders. When it comes to the question of arms up or arms down, you know what your baby likes best.

Take the shorter piece of the fabric across the body, and fold it under their back. 

Repeat with the longer piece on the opposite side. Bring it across your little one’s chest, and tuck it underneath the back. It should feel nice, firm and secure.

Bring the bottom section of the wrap up to the level of your baby’s chest, and tuck it firmly underneath.

Make sure it’s not too tight, or too loose. You want your baby to be able to open their chest and breathe comfortably and safely — you can tell it’s too tight if their little legs are straight. If it’s too loose, the baby can come undone from the wrap, and the fabric could cover their head or face.

What Fabrics Should I Use To Wrap a Baby?

First and foremost, you want to look for fabrics of a lighter weight. Red Nose recommends a light cotton or muslin wrap. These fabrics help your baby maintain a safe temperature, so they don’t get too hot.

Single-layered fabrics are a good choice for wrapping to avoid overheating. If it’s still too cold in the sleeping space, consider an additional layer of a lightweight blanket on top.

What Should My Baby Wear Under the Wrap?

For sunnier seasons, a nappy and singlet are suitable — you want to ensure your baby is not overdressed under the wrap. In winter months, a lightweight grow suit works best. 

If your baby is sleeping in a baby sleeping bag, it’s unnecessary for them to be swaddled. 

1 year ago