In this article you can find all the possible techniques for swaddling newborns. Algorithms and photos will be presented to your attention. In addition, we propose to discuss a lot of other interesting issues. For example, why is it necessary to swaddle a child, are there opinions against swaddling, which diaper to choose, and so on.
When does mother first encounter a swaddling problem? Of course, in the hospital, when they give her her beloved baby. This simple matter, that is, swaddling, is taught by a nurse to mom. And some women (even before the birth of the baby) take special courses for future parents, where they learn swaddling techniques on dolls. Some parents completely abandon the "last century", that is, diapers. Indeed, now the twenty-first century is in the yard, there are so many different clothes, even for such little ones. Already in the maternity hospital, a mother can refuse diapers and dress the child in clothes that were taken from home in advance.
It is worthwhile to pay attention to the fact that it is strictly forbidden for children to wash things manually and dry on batteries, because in the wards of the hospital there must be sterility. Have to "chase" dad daily for clean things.
Previously, people could not do without swaddling, since the diaper was not only the subject of the baby’s clothes, but also had an absorbing function (all the stool of the baby was absorbed even before the bed got dirty). The newborn swaddling algorithm was necessarily told and shown by the nurses of the maternity hospital. But now is the time for diapers, so the need for diapers has disappeared. As for the opinion of the doctors, they cannot give any recommendations on this matter, the mother must decide for herself. However, there are opinions "for" and "against" swaddling. Let's look at this issue in more detail in the first section.
Why do I need to swaddle a baby?
To begin with, it should be noted that the swaddling tradition has very ancient roots. Previously, the diaper performed a number of important functions. Many pediatricians advise parents to resort to diapers. But what explains this? Let's get it right. A diaper is necessary for:
- warming (thermoregulation in infants is not perfect, if you put the baby naked, he will freeze);
- fences from chaotic movements and sudden fright (in the event that a child in a dream touches his face or body with his pen);
- feelings of security (the baby, being in the womb, felt protected, and the diaper creates the feeling of that protective cocoon).
As mentioned earlier, there are supporters and opponents of swaddling newborn babies. Even now, pediatricians are arguing about the benefits and harms of diapers. Among the positive arguments we can find:
- maintaining a comfortable baby's body temperature;
- good fixation of the limbs;
- calm during sleep.
In addition, it should be noted that swaddling is simply necessary for children who were born with the pathology of arms or legs. Premature babies are also recommended to swaddle.
Against swaddling
There are many newborn swaddling techniques (we will consider algorithms a bit later), but tight, according to some experts, is very dangerous for the baby. Now we will understand why.
There is the following evidence for scientific medicine:
- tight swaddling slows the development of motor function;
- children who are subjected to tight swaddling get used to their limbs for a very long time (they can startle at night up to a year);
- hip dysplasia is provoked;
- blood circulation is disturbed;
- compression of the lungs occurs;
- the body overheats, as a result of which the immune system worsens;
- health and appetite worsen;
- babies who are swaddled tight are usually nervous and excitable;
- the worst thing is that the risk of a child dying is high.
We talked about the tight swaddling technique, now in general about swaddling clothes. All women who have already become mothers know that after the birth of a child, they spread it with their naked body on their mother’s stomach. Mom and baby are covered with a blanket, now there is the opportunity for the first time to kiss the chest. So, the mother’s warmth warms the baby much better than any blankets and diapers. In addition, the contact of the skin of the mother and the baby is necessary to populate the skin of the baby with friendly bacteria of the mother. It is also worth noting that the child himself makes his way to the mother’s chest. What diapers are we talking about?
Studies have been conducted that proved that breastfeeding is difficult to establish if the baby immediately after birth to swaddle. How can this be explained? For starters, this is the lack of skin contact, the second is to put the baby in the diaper to the chest is much more difficult, the third - the mechanism did not start in the mother, as there is no sensation of the baby.
After childbirth, mom and baby should rest. The child needs to feel his mother with his whole body. Therefore, it is better to relax in the same bed without any diapers. In addition, the baby must be applied to the breast on demand, and the diaper will become an obstacle to feeding. Even after the mother is fully restored, the baby should not be left alone in a cold bed. He needs contact, carry it more on your hands, you can use special slings. At night, you are nearby, in the same bed, why do you need an imitation of my mother's arms through diapers?
When the baby grows, he needs to move more, he will study his arms and legs, learn new movements every day (roll over, climb arms or knees, and so on). Diapers will slow down this process.
Types of Diapers
For the first time, all mothers will learn about the correct algorithm for the action of changing the newborn in the hospital. But you should worry in advance about the correct choice of fabric for the manufacture of diapers.
For these purposes, the following materials are suitable:
- chintz for swaddling in the summer (in winter it is possible to use chintz diaper together with flannel);
- flannel is used not only as a warm diaper, but also as a sheet or towel (if the baby has very sensitive skin);
- do not forget about disposable diapers that can be purchased at the store (the material is similar to diapers, but it is an indispensable assistant when going to the doctor);
- pay attention to the material called muslin, which is of high enough quality and will not irritate the skin of the baby;
- Of course, knitwear that can be used both in summer and winter (the material is quite pleasant to the touch, stretches).
Swaddling Types
Next will be presented various newborn swaddling techniques, an algorithm of actions, photos of which you can also see in the subsequent sections of this article.
You can wrap a baby in different ways, now there are a lot of techniques. Which one is best for your baby? This issue can be discussed with doctors and nurses in the hospital. Perhaps your baby has any health problems that require tight swaddling. Be sure to consult your doctor about this issue.
In total, there are several ways to swaddle a baby:
- closed swaddling;
- open
- tight
- wide;
- with a head;
- blanket envelope.
Next, we consider each of these options in detail.
Clad Swaddling
In this section, we will consider the algorithm for swaddling a newborn with closed technique (the most common). Such swaddling is suitable for sleeping, and for walking, and for feeding. We will need:
So, the sequence of actions:
- put a hat on the head;
- put on the undershirt (it is necessary to smooth out all the folds on the back);
- put the baby on top of the diaper (in the center);
- both sides of the diaper should be bent and fixed on the back;
- wrap the bottom behind.
Open swaddling newborn
Algorithm of actions:
- put on a baby's T-shirt, t-shirt, vest, or other clothes that will cover the arms, chest and back of the child;
- place the child on a diaper so that its edge is on the lower back;
- wrap the edges around the baby;
- the lower part of the diaper rises, to fix it is behind.
This technique is very similar to the first, only it is suitable for older children. Many people use diapers for open swaddling.
Tight swaddling
Now we move on to the algorithm of action for swaddling a newborn with tight equipment. This method is one of the most popular. Tight swaddling is often practiced in the hospital. Children turn into "columns" that cannot do any harm to themselves, since they are completely immobilized. In addition, tight swaddling helps unhindered breastfeeding.
It was previously believed that tight swaddling helps to straighten the legs of the baby, however, studies have been conducted that prove that this method of swaddling a child can lead to a host of negative consequences. We talked about them earlier. Mom herself has the right to choose the method of swaddling her baby, but if she chose a tight option, then it is worth acting according to the following algorithm:
- put the diaper end;
- wrap one edge;
- Throw the second edge and place on the shoulders of the child;
- wrap the second edge and fasten it to the back.
Your "column" is ready.
Wide swaddling
We turn to the swaddling algorithm of the newborn in a wide way. This method is quite spacious and convenient for the child. Nevertheless, it allows you to protect the crumbs from injuries that he can inflict on his own. It is recommended to use this technique at an older age.
Procedure:
- roll a triangle from the diaper;
- put the central part of the fabric on the tummy of the baby;
- the two remaining edges are wrapped and fixed on the back.
As you know, the baby’s natural physiological position is a frog. So, this type of swaddling allows the child to take it. This method is ideal for sleeping, as the head and handles are not fixed.
Swaddling with a head
There is also a special type of wrapping that allows you to swaddle a newborn with the head. It is used in the very first days of a baby’s life, as it allows you to keep warm and feel most comfortable outside the mother’s womb. Changing algorithm for a newborn baby:
- The diapers are spread out and the baby is laid across.
- In this method, it is very important that the head should be significantly lower than the edge of the fabric, so that it is possible to bend a sufficient amount.
- First, the head turns around, after which the fabric is wound by the hand and tucked into the second side.
- Thus, the baby is completely wrapped in soft tissue and protected from any influences.
Envelope blanket
Now we will consider another rather interesting issue regarding nursing - the algorithm for changing a newborn with the "blanket-envelope" method. A nurse must know about this technique, as it is ideal for discharge and walking newborns in winter. For this technique, in addition to the diaper, you must also use a blanket. It is worth focusing on weather conditions, if the temperature outside the window is very low, then mothers prefer to use not one, but two whole blankets.
Algorithm:
- spread out the blankets with a rhombus;
- on the thin, which is currently located on top, the baby fits;
- it should be swaddled in one of the following ways - closed swaddling or swaddling with your head;
- as for a warm blanket, it is first of all worth insulating the legs;
- then wrap it around the child and fix the tape on the tummy;
- as you can see, there is one free corner left, it can be used as a hood.
Nowadays, this is not the most popular type of swaddling, the thing is that already insulated envelopes for newborn babies exist on sale. These devices already have the necessary shape, parents need to unfasten it, lay the baby and close the snake.
Advice
We examined all the most popular baby diapering action algorithms. Nursing is not only a very interesting profession, but also an educational one. It requires a lot of knowledge, which is updated monthly in continuing education courses. The thing is that new inventions on medical topics are constantly appearing on sale, and who but the nurse and doctor should tell you about them?
Now very briefly we will give some recommendations that can make this difficult process (swaddling a child) a favorite pastime of crumbs. To begin with, you should pay attention to the material of the diapers, it should be soft and pleasant for the delicate skin of the baby. During dressing, it is necessary to conduct a dialogue with the child, distract him from this unloved occupation, sing a song, tell the poem of a child with expression. Before changing clothes, be sure to prepare everything in advance so as not to waste time, everything should happen quickly, but at the same time and carefully.