How to Choose a Swaddling Blanket

Swaddling is a choice all parents have to make for themselves and their babies. Some babies absolutely hate being wrapped up, while others can only be calm and happy when swaddled. A swaddling blanket is a thin blanket small enough to be wrapped around a newborn and tightly tucked in to keep the arms immobile. The purpose of this is to keep babies from waking themselves up every time the Moro, or startle, reflex kicks in. Some parents use regular receiving blankets for this purpose, but some blankets are specifically made for this purpose and have a pouch built in.

Instructions

    • 1

      Determine whether your baby likes being swaddled. The best way to do this is to use any small blanket you have and give it a try, or borrow a swaddling blanket from a friend or family member. If your baby doesn't like being swaddled, then there is no point in spending money on swaddling blankets. Some parents assume all babies like to be swaddled, but this isn't the case.

    • 2

      Buy swaddling blankets appropriate for the season. For example, for the warmer months, a cotton swaddling blanket will be best -- the thinner the better. This is because during the summer, for instance, you're not necessarily looking for the blanket to keep the baby warm. It's more about giving the baby that secure, wrapped-up feeling. In the cooler weather, a flannel or fleece swaddling blanket will be warmer than a thin cotton.

    • 3

      Evaluate whether it's better to use a receiving blanket, which are small square blankets, or swaddling blankets that are made to be worn. Wearable swaddling blankets tend to be more expensive; however, they are easy to put on and ideal for parents who have trouble wrapping babies themselves. Wearable blankets generally either have a pocket you place the lower half of the body into or a sack that is put on like like an outfit and then zipped. Both variations have wings on either side that wrap around the baby's body, holding the arms to the body. These wings stay closed with Velcro.

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