Free swaddling of newborns: features, rules and recommendations

Since ancient times swaddling has been used, and if earlier it was the only way to dress a newborn, now the young mother has many other options. In this case, do not forget about the merits of this method, despite the large number of beautiful clothes available in stores. First of all, it is necessary to understand the definition of free and tight swaddling. The first of them is considered the most suitable for newborn children.

How to choose

Free swaddling the child allows the crumb to feel safe, like in the womb of the mother. Unlike the tight, also provides a finding in the natural position of the body. At the same time, too tight wrapping increases the probability of overheating and makes breathing difficult.

Excessively active movements, sharp cries and startled fright indicate that the free swaddling of the pens is not suitable yet and it is worth using a more dense option. At the same time, it is undesirable, if the baby sleeps comfortably in panties and a rasp.

Features

Newborn in a comfortable "cocoon" easily moves the legs and handles, adapting to an unfamiliar environment. Sometimes young parents face the categorical opinion of the older generation about the way they swaddle. It used to be believed that thanks to this wrapping, it is possible to prevent leg curvature and posture disorders. But in fact, this is nothing more than a myth, while the child is developing more slowly because of difficult circulation and forced, not always convenient for him position.

Movement allows you to recognize your abilities, to know the surrounding world and your own body, while the baby is not afraid of upturned hands, since the free swaddling of newborns somewhat restricts space and resembles being in the womb. So the time of falling asleep accelerates, thanks to this method is often used for night sleep.

Among the positive aspects is the multifunctionality of the diapers. You can not worry about the fact that the crumb will wake up from the cold, which is very important in the autumn-winter period. In this case, overalls and other clothing much faster than small diapers, so choosing a suitable size, you can use one set from birth to six months.

What you need to know

On the behavior of the child, you can determine the need for swaddling. If he gets frightened of his own hands, restlessly asleep and wakes up too often, then you can try to give up ordinary clothes. The baby will feel comfortable in a cozy "cocoon" made of soft tissue. In this case, the violation of muscle tone and a pronounced protest of the baby suggests that a free and full swaddling is not suitable. Also, in order to avoid overheating, it is not necessary to wrap up the crumbs in a hot place both at night and during the day.

Particular attention should be paid to the technique. It's easiest to get acquainted with it when watching a training video. The most important thing is that the child can take a comfortable pose, that is, bend the legs in the knees. The upper part of the diaper can be at the abdominal level, in this case only the legs will be wrapped up, or in the neck region.

Benefits

The impossibility of a greenhouse effect due to free air circulation is the main advantage of such a technique. As you know, free swaddling provides the work of all parts of the lungs, early hardening and strengthening of immunity. In this case, the baby can sleep in a position convenient for him, for example on his stomach. Also worth noting the possibility of development of fine motor skills, tactile and prevention of joint dysplasia. Freedom of movement is provided not only by soft diapers, but also by envelopes from natural fabrics.

There are two main ways of changing:

• The arms and legs have the same freedom of movement;
• The diaper is positioned so that only the legs are wrapped.

Free swaddling: rules

Care should be taken to spread all the folds on the tissues, as the tender skin of the newborn is very easy to injure. It is important that the chin and nose are always open to prevent shortness of breath. Also, the ambient temperature is of particular importance, while overheating for the child is more dangerous than hypothermia. If the apartment is cool, you can use a combination of two diapers (flannel and calico) or in addition to dress the baby in a thin overall or set of sliders and blouses.

It is undesirable to put a hat on in the room, since this makes it difficult for natural thermoregulation. With a high temperature mode, the best option is a cotton or wool, which you can simply cover the baby. It is strictly prohibited to fasten diapers with pins due to the danger of injury.

It is undesirable to touch the skin with fur and woolen materials. Diapers and clothes made of environmentally friendly soft materials, pre-washed with a special powder and ironed, are best suited.

When not to do without swaddling

At first glance, it might seem that today tight or free swaddling has become irrelevant in view of the wide variety of clothes for the smallest, disposable and reusable diapers and other means that simplify the life of a young mother. But do not categorically abandon diapers, since they become irreplaceable in the following situations:

• When the baby can not calm down. At first, after birth, the limbs can frighten the baby because of sharp, chaotic movements, while in the womb they did not cause him any discomfort. Free wide swaddling provides a restful sleep and warms the crumbs. So you do not have to worry about that awkward movements disturb the rest.
• First bathroom. It is believed that if a child is wrapped in a diaper, he will not be afraid of water and feel safe.
• When conducting medical manipulations. For example, to warm the stomach during colic with a heating pad is much easier, if you use it to fasten the diaper. There are also many other actions, unpleasant, but necessary for the baby.
• For hygienic procedures. It is extremely difficult to use drops for the eyes, to clean the nose and ears, if the baby is diligently resisting. Swaddling in this case allows you to limit the movement for the time required to perform all the actions.
• It is not uncommon for diapers to not fit and promote the formation of rashes and diaper rash, while in the diapers there is a constant air exchange, which accelerates the healing of the wound.

If there is any doubt about the need for swaddling, it is not necessary to be guided only by the advice of close and older relatives, so all children are different and each of them needs a special approach.

Useful tools

The changing table is necessary if a continuous swaddling is planned. Today in the stores you can find both full-fledged pieces of furniture and folding ones that are easy to take in travel or freely move around the house. The most common is the chest of drawers, which has a swaddling board. He will relieve the burden from the back of the mother, provide easy care for the child, and after the board is no longer needed, it can be removed and use the chest only for storing things.

Types of diapers

There are a lot of different diapers, the most common are the following options:

• Envelopes that provide free diapering;
• Standard flannel and chintz;
• For handles in which the legs remain open;
• Terry with a hood, used after water procedures.

The amount is selected depending on the use of disposable or gauze diapers. Several diapers per day are more than enough when using diapers. In the other case, there should be at least 20 pieces provided daily washing.

Free swaddling legs Does not have any contraindications provided that all hygienic manipulations are carried out, rules are observed and use is no more than six months. At the same time, for the mother, caring for the child should promote close communication and bring pleasure, and not be a daily routine.

Myths

• Due to the dense swaddling, many diseases can be avoided. Unfortunately, everything is exactly the opposite. Cases of pneumonia are much more common in children who are constantly wrapped in diapers.
• You can do without swaddling. Here everything depends on the newborn, someone can not sleep without him, and someone immediately does not let himself be wrapped up.
• Tight swaddling is the prevention of curvature of the legs. If this were indeed so, then every child born in the USSR would have perfectly even legs.

Young parents should themselves weigh the pros and cons of swaddling the newborn and find the best option for themselves. But the fact remains that the crumb during wakefulness should be warm, comfortable and able to freely move their legs and hands.

Types of swaddling

In addition to free, a tight swaddling is also common, which involves the use of two large diapers. The head of the baby is covered by a hood from the upper part of the diaper, and the body is tightly wrapped into it. The use of such an option is rational in restless sleep and in case of overexcitation.

Therapeutic swaddling is prescribed by a pediatrician only for certain indications. Basically, they are the treatment and prevention of dysplasia of the hip joints.

With partial wrapping, only the legs or handles can turn around. Other parts of the body can move freely, since they are covered by nothing. Each of the options presented above has its advantages and disadvantages and is suitable for certain situations.