Swaddling your baby

Swaddling is surprisingly controversial. Many parents find that it helps their baby to settle, particularly if they have a strong moro reflex that disturbs their rest, but there is some research suggesting that swaddling might be problematic for a baby’s hip development, and could increase the risk of cot death.

NCT provides a how-to-swaddle video, and some further guidelines on doing it safely are offered by ISIS.

If you are going to swaddle, the Lullaby Trust recommends the following:

• use thin materials
• do not swaddle above the shoulders
• never put a swaddled baby to sleep on their front
• do not swaddle too tight
• check the baby’s temperature to ensure they do not get too hot.

Views expressed here are my own, and do not represent the views of NCT.