Baby swaddling dates back centuries ago. It is still being practiced nowadays and has become common to many cultures. Swaddling is a means of wrapping a baby safely from shoulders to feet with a small blanket or cloth. American-Indians and many people from the Middle East have adapted this technique and even came up with more sophisticated ones. Traditional swaddling methods are still followed in countries such as Afghanistan, Turkey and Albania.

Swaddling is believed to lower the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). It can be a great method to calm your baby. At three months, the risk of SIDS is greatest. Traditional swaddling techniques help a baby escape these risks because they give him a more comfortable and stable position while asleep. A baby is also believed to sleep at a longer time when swaddled because it prevents the sudden movements of a sleeping baby that can rouse him in the middle of his sleep. The quality and length of his sleep improves. Aside from that, the mother can also get longer sleep and rest.

When your baby has just been introduced to swaddling, he will need some time to adjust to it. You can start by swaddling him loosely until he gets used to it. Make sure that the blanket feels snug but not too tight because it can make him uncomfortable and uneasy.

Swaddling also has additional benefits during the waking moments of the baby. It is easier for a parent to hold her baby when he is swaddled. Babies tend to move too a lot, which can make feeding time difficult. Swaddling helps keep the baby still or lessens his movements when being breastfed.

However, make sure that your baby is not swaddled all throughout the day because that can be distressing. It can also make your baby feel uncomfortably warm. Surely, your baby would not want to be wrapped up the whole day. He also has to be given the chance to move around a bit and stretch his little muscles. In addition, some babies don't like being swaddled. If this is the case with your baby, then try to swaddle him a bit looser, putting his arms out of the blanket.

Swaddling typically works best for newborn babies to infants about four months old. If you feel that your baby has gotten used to being swaddled, you can continue with it for a little longer. Babies usually start learning to roll over at some point between two to five months, during which can be a good time to stop swaddling and teach your baby to fall asleep even without the snug feeling of a blanket around him. Loosen your the wrapping of the blanket to get him used to the idea of sleeping without being swaddled.

When swaddling your baby, ensure that his circulation is not affected in any way. It is best to consult a nurse, physician, midwife or other well-informed healthcare professionals to show you the correct methods of swaddling and explain to you what dangers it may bring your child.