Why Swaddle Your Baby?
Swaddling your precious little bundle of joy has many benefits.
It helps your newborn feel safe, secure and comforted, just like she was when tucked away and protected inside your womb.
Swaddling also helps combat your little one's moro reflex (startle reflex) in those first few months, minimising this movement prevents the reflex from waking up your baby from an otherwise peaceful sleep.
Swaddling can also mimic your touch which can also help your baby learn to self soothe - self soothing will become important when your baby reaches around 4 months of age, where they start to adjust to a sleep cycle that is similar to adults - this is generally known as the 4 month sleep regression. Self soothing can help make the dreaded 4 month sleep regression an easier transition for everyone.
Sleep is precious - swaddling can help protect the need for a good sleep for the both of you.
Swaddle Materials
There are a few different materials on the market, with cotton being the most popular. Let's touch on 3 of the most popular swaddle materials out there.
Cotton muslins are naturally soft, durable & tend to continue getting softer with wear & washes. Look for 100% cotton muslins - these are lightweight, breathable and prevent your little one from overheating, by keeping them cool.
Bamboo muslins are a good alternative to cotton, however we see a lot of bamboo muslins, being a bamboo + cotton blend. Bamboo has natural antibacterial properties, making the demand for bamboo muslins bigger than ever.
Another factor for the rise in bamboo blends is the ability for bamboo fabrics to be able to absorb, evaporate & wick away water much better than cotton. In fact, bamboo can hold up to 4 times more water than cotton. This not only helps with temperature control, it also helps with keeping bubs dry.
Jersey muslins are for those looking for swaddles with a lot of stretch. Jersey muslins are blended cotton, usually with polyester or rayon which gives it a lovely soft stretch. Due to the structure of this fabric, your wrap should stay in place keeping bubs in their finished swaddling position.
Swaddle Types
Not only are there different materials to consider - there are also different types of swaddles, depending on the needs of your baby.
Blanket swaddles - the most common swaddle which has many uses other than just acting as a baby swaddle. Blanket swaddles can be done up and secured in a number of ways, giving you more, flexibility, success and comfort when swaddling your little one.
Velcro swaddles are handy for the Houdini's of babies, who's little arms are forever escaping. These velcro sections help hold the swaddle in place, minimising any escapes.
Cocoon / sleep sack swaddles are for those mummas who are open to not completely "swaddling" their babies. Cocoons are a quick way to swaddle your bubs by placing them in it, folding and tucking the free material around and under your bubs.
Swaddling techniques
Diamond Swaddle (Classic)
This particular technique is one of the most common ways of swaddling your baby. Keep in mind, depending on the size of your baby, this technique is easier with blankets that are over 70cm in length
Square Swaddle (Quick Swaddle)
This technique is much like the Diamond swaddle and more suitable for smaller blanket sizes
The Family Swaddle
A simple technique which works on all blanket sizes and is particularly useful if you are working with a blanket that is rectangular in shape.
Check out our range of 100% cotton and bamboo muslin swaddles & blankets.