Swaddle Like A Pro: 5 Tips from a South Florida Birth & Newborn Photographer / Videographer
Have you ever watched a nurse or a newborn photographer swaddle a baby? It’s magical! The baby goes from fussy and flailing to settled and sleepy right before your eyes.
I remember the first time I saw a nurse swaddle my newborn in the hospital—I was mesmerized! My baby went from crying and flailing to calm and sleepy in just a few seconds.
So, why is swaddling so effective in helping babies sleep? It mimics the cozy feeling of the womb. In there, babies feel snug and secure. Once they’re out in the world, all that open space can be quite startling. Swaddling helps recreate that safe, snug environment, which can calm newborns and stretch those precious sleep periods.
Swaddling is a key part of my South Florida birth and newborn photography sessions. Many parents watch me swaddle their babies and ask how I do it, so I thought I’d lay it all out here in this blog post!
And of course, always chat with your doctor about safe sleep practices and how to swaddle safely. They can give you the best advice tailored to your baby's needs.
Swaddle Tip #1: Choose the Right Blanket
The type of blanket you use is crucial. If it’s too thick, the swaddle won’t stay secure. If it’s not stretchy, it’s hard to keep the baby's arms from popping out. I always go for stretchy and thin materials like jersey knit fabric. Make sure the fabric is breathable too.
Swaddle Tip #2: Secure the Arms First
Many new parents don’t realize that a baby's arms are the escape artists in swaddling! Secure the arms down by the sides first to prevent startle reflexes that can wake your baby. Wrap the arms tightly but ensure it’s comfortable; the fabric should allow for some movement but not enough to come loose.
I’ll never forget a time when my own daughter was three days old. I swaddled her and laid her down to sleep—I was exhausted, and so was she. Just five minutes after laying her down, sound asleep, she’d wriggled her hand out of the swaddle to suck on it, which woke her up. That’s when I realized I needed to learn how to swaddle better!
Swaddle Tip #3: Double Layer Technique
For the most effective swaddle that withstands even the wriggliest of babies, I recommend using two thin blankets. Start with a thin, stretchy muslin blanket to wrap the baby snugly, ensuring their arms are secure at their sides. Then, use a second, lighter swaddle blanket to reinforce the first layer. This ensures everything stays snug and in place, which is crucial during those first few weeks when reflex movements are at their peak.
Swaddle Tip #4: It Takes Practice!
Don’t get discouraged if your first few swaddling attempts aren’t perfect. It often takes several tries to get a feel for the right tension and technique. Practice with a doll or a rolled-up blanket to build your confidence before trying it on your baby.
Swaddle Tip #5: Gradual Transition
Mom-to-mom, this is a swaddle hack I’m glad I used! Of course, we can’t swaddle babies forever, but going cold turkey from a full swaddle to no swaddle will probably mean even less sleep for everyone. So, I did a gradual swaddle transition. I started by intentionally leaving one arm out for a few nights, then both arms out until I eventually didn’t wrap the baby at all anymore.
Bonus Tip: The Perfect Swaddle Blanket
Finding the right swaddle blanket can make a big difference. I love using thin, stretchy, and breathable materials like jersey knit fabric. They provide the right amount of flexibility and snugness while ensuring your baby doesn’t overheat.
If I had to choose one tip for you to remember and use to have swaddling success, it would be Tip #1! Make sure to save this blog post for when you need to remember these tips!