Swaddling Do’s & Don’ts

Swaddling is seeing a surge in popularity at the moment. As Andrea Grace our sleep expert explains “Swaddling has been used as a means of soothing babies for centuries and across all cultures. It is becoming increasingly popular in the UK as a natural way to soothe and settle a baby. “The reason that swaddling is so popular is that it helps babies feel safe and contained. The gentle pressure of being wrapped mimics the feeling of being held and for lots of babies, this feeling promotes sleep. It can be especially helpful for babies who are fretful and need to be in your arms all the time.”

If you do choose to swaddle, it is worth keeping in mind the following advice:

• Do choose a lightweight breathable and flexible fabric, such as 100% cotton jersey
• Do adjust the layers of clothing under the swaddle according to temperature of the room to ensure your baby is snug but not too hot – a Gro-egg can help you determine the temperature of your baby’s room
• Do check your baby on a regular basis
• Do place your baby to sleep on their back

• Don’t overheat your child or over wrap with too many layers
• Don’t cover the head or face of your baby with the swaddle
• Don’t wrap too tightly - ties, Velcro or poppers might mean the swaddle is tighter than it needs to be
• Don’t sleep with your baby on a sofa or armchair

The Gro-Swaddle is designed with the above guidance in mind to make swaddling as easy as possible for parents and as comfortable for babies.