An affordable, convenient and familiar clothing for a newborn has always been considered a diaper. But with the advent of the possibility of acquiring sliders, vests in front of young parents, the question more and more often began to arise: “Do I need to swaddle children?” After all, every member of the family is concerned about the proper development of his child, in addition, if you listen to the recommendations of some doctors, you can come to the conclusion that wrapping a baby in a sheet is not such a comfortable state for him. Therefore, this publication will examine the pros and cons of a topic that is of concern to many families: “Do I need to swaddle newborns?”
Why come up with diapers
One famous doctor gave an intelligible answer about the causes of diapers. He explained this from an economic point of view. Since a person’s clothing must be adapted to the size of his body, it is logical to assume that it is very difficult financially to provide a baby growing every day with all kinds of sliders and vests. Therefore, smart ancestors solved the problem with the help of diapers. But the truth is economical, and at least six months with several dozen sheets, you can not worry about new clothes for the baby.
Somewhat later, pediatricians justified the appropriateness of swaddling with the development of smooth legs, arms and the entire skeleton of the child. The unquestioned answer to the question of the times of the Soviet Union about whether to swaddle children sounded: "Be sure, and harder!" Later, scientists decided to check the results of such requirements, and as it turned out, the limbs that were crooked from birth did not become even after the baby's tight wraps.
Criticism of tight swaddling
After proving that the baby’s cramped diaper dress does not affect the further development of the skeleton, scientists began to move forward in these studies. Then the pediatricians came to the conclusion that it is difficult for a baby in such a tight cocoon to breathe and normal blood supply in this state is impossible. In addition, such children were more likely to experience scorching and diaper rash.
Going further in their research, smart doctors decided that tight swaddling was uncomfortable. After all, a natural posture for a child is a pose with tightened arms, legs and the possibility of their movement. A stand "soldier", which was considered a reference for a newborn, brings mental and physical discomfort. From now on, the parent and medical community became opponents in the discussion on the topic: “Do I need to swaddle a child from birth?”
An alternative to cramped vestments
But no matter how much the swaddling is criticized, it still has not received a final ban. The golden mean was found in this matter - free wrapping. That is, the child seems to be in the sheet, but is not limited in the movements inside the created space. Such a satisfaction of need suited everyone: mothers, fathers, children, but not the conservative views of grandmothers. Moreover, they complained about the aesthetic component of swaddling, they say, before the children looked like even rollers, and now with free wrapping it looks like a sloppy bag.
And when, it would seem, agreement was reached on this issue, information began to appear in the media that gave a categorically negative answer to the question: “Do I need to swaddle children?”
Even light wrapping was condemned. Now it was believed that free swaddling limits the perception of the world by the baby, prevents the harmonious upbringing and development of the personality, and also restrains individuality. And such oppression is simply impossible in a democratic 21st century.
Does swaddling really slow down development
After the public got acquainted with the conclusions of psychologists proving the negative impact of swaddling on the further development of the child, a huge number of couples grabbed their heads because of the wrong way of raising children. They believed that their children, having gone through a period of wrapping themselves in sheets, would grow up as less developed and non-initiative people. While children, dressed from birth in loose clothing, will be harmoniously developed personalities.
A well-known pediatrician called this behavior of parents a group instinct that destructively affects common sense. After all, if you think about it, not succumbing to emotions, then for what period the heyday of human civilization? Space exploration, the invention of computers and all existing equipment, the construction of nuclear power plants and much more - all this was created by people whose parents did not have the question: “Is it necessary to swaddle a child at night or only during the day?” The geniuses of science and the same psychologists who came to the above conclusions were swaddled, and they grew up as established and gifted people.
Is it necessary to swaddle a child: the opinions of doctors
The indisputable fact and common truth are the following factors that really affect the full development of the personality:
- Genetic component.
- The psychological climate in the family.
- The health status of the child.
- Religious, pedagogical education.
- The system of values in the family, formed by generations.
In this list there is no swaddling, because there is not a single scientific justification that would link wrapping in sheets with the problems of personality formation.
Therefore, the opinions of doctors on this subject are as follows: swaddling or not a baby is a matter for a particular family. Parents, depending on their abilities, desires and lifestyle, choose how to satisfy the needs of their child.
Benefits of rejecting diapers
When there is an alternative to something, there will always be its supporters and opponents. So it is in the struggle of diapers and vests? The opinions of some experts in this matter are based on the economic component. Anti-diaper propaganda is an opportunity to earn money on the issue or resale of beautiful children's gizmos: suits, sandboxes, sliders and other colorful, cute clothes.
No matter how expensive baby products may be, there are several positive points in the rejection of diapers:
- The probability of overheating of the baby is reduced.
- The use of sliders and vests simplifies the process of changing clothes for a child, it does not require special skills, and therefore, a father can also cope with it.
- The natural stay of the baby in ordinary clothes is a comfortable condition for him. That is, the motor activity of the child is not limited.
When you need to wrap in the diaper of the baby
There are times when you should not give up wrapping your child in sheets. If up to this point cases were considered in which the child was full-term and healthy, then how are things going with babies born prematurely?
Therefore, the question of whether to swaddle a premature baby, the definite answer is yes. Firstly, such children are not properly prepared for a meeting with the outside world, and therefore in a wrapped state they feel themselves, as well as in utero, that is, habitually and safely. And secondly, the weakened premature baby during swaddling is limited in movements, and all the energy in the body is directed not to physical actions, but to strengthening all life-supporting functions.
Swaddling is also prescribed for children with dysplasia. That is, if there is a need for this, then doctors at the discharge from the hospital must prescribe swaddling for such babies.
Finally
It is worthwhile to understand that the decision on whether to swaddle the children rests entirely on the shoulders of the parents when doctors recommend them in some unusual situations. The above pros and cons are unprincipled. And if the oldest child was raised in the family without undershirts, then it is not necessary to change the tactics of behavior in this matter in relation to the youngest.
The main thing is a stable psychological climate in the family, when parents do not get nervous, do not swear, and the child develops in a way that is convenient for him. If the baby sleeps well in a diaper, well, let it be. After all, this still does not affect the health of the child and the development of his personality.