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Other survival
tip areas:
• Breastfeeding
• Sleep
and Settling Strategies
• Biting
• When your Baby (under 4 months)
cries
• Toddler
Behaviour
• Toddler Nutrition
• Tips
for Introducing Solids (PDF)
•
Toilet Training
• Postnatal
Depression
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Wrapping your baby
For ease of reading the female gender has been used throughout this article.
For further information and support please consult your Early Childhood Nurse, Lactation Consultant, General Practitioner or Karitane Careline on (02) 9794 1852 or 1800 677 961 outside the Sydney Metropolitan Area.
At Karitane we are often asked why we wrap infants and to demonstrate our method. There is little scientific information which explains why anyone does it nor is there any one correct way. This brochure will provide you with some suggestions and diagrams that you may find useful for wrapping your baby. If you are having difficulty getting your baby to sleep there are other brochures available that explain settling strategies for different aged children.
WHY WRAP YOUR BABY:
Some research suggests that wrapping your baby will help her to settle. This is because she will feel secure with the wrap containing her as the womb did before birth. Also the wrap stops her from frightening herself when the startle reflex occurs. If you or your baby are not comfortable with wrapping then do not use this method for settling.
SAFETY AND SLEEPING:
When you are settling your baby it is very important to remember the current recommendations from SIDS & KIDS (the National Sudden Infant Death Syndrome Council of Australia)
- Keep your baby
in a smoke free environment
- Put baby on the
back to sleep
- Sleep baby with the face and head uncovered
THE WRAP:
A suitable material for a wrap is muslin or light cotton which measures about 1.5 metres x 1.0 metres. You may worry that this material is not warm enough but remember when you place your baby in bed there may also be a sheet and/or blanket over her. Another of the SIDS & KIDS recommendations is to avoid overheating your baby.
WHAT TO DO:
These diagrams start by wrapping the baby’s left hand first however you or your baby may be more comfortable starting with the right hand.
| 1. Fold down one long edge about 20cms and place your baby in the middle with her shoulders at the level of the fold |  |
| 2. Place your baby’s left hand under the fold |  |
| 3. Keeping your baby’s left hand near the shoulder take the top of the fold and tuck it under your baby’s legs |  |
| 4. Take the left edge of this new fold and wrap it over your baby’s body then tuck it under the body on the right side |  |
| 5. Place your baby’s right hand under the fold |  |
| 6. Keeping your baby’s right hand near the shoulder take the top of the fold and tuck it under your baby’s legs |  |
| 7. Take the right edge of this new fold and wrap it over your baby’s body then tuck it under the body on the left side |  |
| 8. Fold any extra length of the wrap under your baby’s legs |  |
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It is usually recommended to start loosening the wrap with a view to not using it at all once your baby starts rolling over. It is important not to cover your baby’s head whilst they are asleep as this practice may cause overheating. If you have difficulty with wrapping your baby or at any other time you require help please consult your:
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References,
further reading and viewing
Gerard, C. M. et. al. (2002). Physiologic Studies on Swaddling: an ancient
child care practice, which may promote the supine position for infant
sleep, The Journal of Paediatrics, September.
Grover, G. et. al.
(1994). The Effects of Bundling on Infant Temperature, Paediatrics,
Vol 94, No 5, November.
Henderson-Smart, D.
et. al. (1998). Reducing the Risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: a review
of the scientific literature, Journal of Paediatric and Child Health,
Vol 34, No 3, June.
SIDS & Kids -
www.sidsaustralia.org.au
Wigfield, R. E. et. al. (1993). How Much Wrapping do Babies Need at Night? Archives of Disease in Children, Vol 69, pp181-186.
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Last modified: Tuesday, 17 June 2003