Try This To Calm Your Newborn!
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Question: My son is two-and-a-half weeks old. I try to swaddle him tightly, but he doesn't like it. He moves his arms out of the blanket. If I don't swaddle him, he has jerky movements and wakes himself up! What should I do? Thanks. - Tamie in Milpitas, CA
The Physician Answers:
Your infant has become disinterested in being swaddled
right on schedule, so not to worry.
Let me begin by explaining to
others what swaddling is and why it is done. Mostly a receiving
blanket is used. Place the blanket on a bed or a changing table
and turn down one corner about five inches. Place the baby on the
blanket with his head right above the folded corner. Take one arm
and place it at the baby's side while taking the blanket on that
side and pulling it across the baby's body to tuck under his back
on the opposite side. Lift the bottom corner and tuck it in (by
the neck) of the side you just arranged. Lastly, reach for the
remaining side corner and bring it over the baby's body to the
opposite side and tuck it under his back.
The reason that we do swaddle babies is because it is soothing,
and after just being born all the open space can be overwhelming.
It is purported that swaddling most closely represents the
environment of the womb-providing warmth and comfort to the
newborn. Additionally, the jerking movements of a newborn during
sleep often cause them to wake; by restricting their movement
they may sleep better. It is standard of care at most hospitals
to swaddle all infants soon after birth. This helps them to
retain some warmth that may otherwise be lost as their immature
thermostats are trying to regulate.
Normally, within several days after birth, as the newborn becomes more active, they will typically begin to kick away their swaddling. In general, by two weeks of age most newborns no longer want the restrictions of swaddling and make their decision obvious to the parents. In any case, by one month of age the swaddling should be stopped because it may interfere with physical development. I suspect the best rule of thumb is to let your infant determine whether swaddling is for them -- believe me, they will let their feelings be known.
Dr Jane Forester
Family Physician
Glencoe, IL