What is swaddling, and how to swaddle your Petit Maus

Swaddling is a traditional technique for wrapping up your newborn baby in a light, breathable blanket to soothe and calm your little one. 

Babies generally LOVE to be swaddled with the snug wrap replicating the sense of security felt within the womb, helping them sleep better and for longer, also helping alleviate the startle reflex. But many new parents struggle with perfecting the swaddling technique. In order for it to be comfortable and safe, it needs to be wrapped snugly around your baby, whilst ensuring there is still space for some movement and airflow. When swaddling your little one, you should leave just enough room to slide your hand between the material and baby’s chest to make sure they’re not wrapped too tightly.

How to swaddle your baby step by step:

1. Spread the blanket out flat – in a diamond shape with corners pointing up – on a changing table, bed or the floor, and then fold down the top corner

2. Lay your baby facing you on the blanket, with his or her head at the folded corner

3. Gently put your baby’s right arm down by his or her side, then wrap the right corner over your baby and tuck it underneath your infant’s left side

4. Bring the bottom corner of the blanket up over your baby’s feet, towards the shoulders, leaving the neck and face uncovered

5. This next step should be a mirror image of step 3: Gently position your baby’s left arm by his or her side and wrap the left corner over your baby, tucking it in under the left side. Again, make sure you don’t cover the head or neck with the blanket.

6. Check that the swaddling isn’t too tight or constricting, especially around the hips and legs. Your baby’s legs should be free to fall into their natural, frog-like position. Wrapping your baby too tightly in a swaddle can lead to hip dysplasia or dislocation.