Über das Einwickeln

Let’s start with the basics!

As you probably know, babies are born with a certain set of reflexes that help them survive the first months of life in a new place. One of them, the Moro reflex, involves babies “throwing their arms out” in front of them in response to various external stimuli – this is supposed to be a defensive gesture, protecting the baby from potential danger and summoning the caregiver. This reflex causes us parents a lot of worry, because it interferes with the peaceful sleep of toddlers. Hands flying in front of the baby’s eyes, which the Toddler does not yet recognize as his own, are often the cause of awakenings from naps or your Toddler’s night sleep.

Secondly, you can imagine how big an experience it is for the Toddler to change the environment from mom’s belly to the vast world, where everything is new and scary. From mom’s CIASIVE belly. To an OPEN space. And even though most adults love space and a big bed:), babies get nervous if they have too much space, because it’s a new, unfamiliar and stressful situation for them.

These are the main reasons why wraps have swept the newborn world. Some parents have objections that it is “restraining the toddler.” Possibly, but Toddlers feel safer restrained, because these conditions are familiar and their own to them. They cry less, get less upset. They sleep better and longer. This is not a solution for everyone, some children will sleep well without a wrap, and the greatest benefit will probably feel the mothers of sensitive and “colicky” children, because the evening cries, often caused by exhaustion, can be soothed or at least reduced using a wrap.

What to wrap
?

For wrapping today we have a huge set of products. One of the solutions we recommend is the Sleepee wrap. It’s an elastic zippered material that prevents the Moro reflex, but doesn’t completely restrain the movements of the Toddler. The material is thin and breathable, so the Toddler will not overheat. In addition, it has a zipper from the bottom, so at night you can change the Toddler’s diaper without removing him completely from the wrap. You yourself realize how important it is not to wake up the Toddler too much after night feedings:))). The wrap is usually suitable for babies from birth (the threshold weight is 3 kg, so premature babies may be too tiny) to 6- 7 kg. If your little one still needs a wrapper, but is already growing out of the first wrapper – there are already available wrappers for larger babies, even up to 9 kg.

What we advise against when it comes to wrapping are fleece
cones and blankets – most of them will only provide babies with warmth, but not a tight wrapping; in addition, they usually have polyester filling, so we can overheat the baby.

How
to wrap?

At first moment after wrapping, babies may protest against wrapping, but this should not be discouraged. This is often due more to changing the position from vertical to horizontal or moving away from mom for a while than wrapping. Remember, too, that for safety reasons, babies (both unwrapped and especially shrouded) should not have any other objects in the cradle/crib where they sleep. That is, blankets blocking their position, a tetan diaper on their face, teddy bears and mascots at this age are not recommended. A baby in a wrap doesn’t wiggle their arms, but they can move on their backs down or up the crib, and by removing all soft objects from the crib we minimize the risk of them getting entangled in a toy or blanket.

When to swaddle?

For naps and nighttime sleep, but not during activity time – so that Toddler has ample opportunity to exercise his arm muscles. There is no evidence or examples that swaddling in the first 3-4 months interferes with motor development, as long as it is done well and does not block hip movement.

How long to swaddle?

The Moro reflex is usually strong in the first 3-4 months of life, and then dies out. However, it is worth knowing that many babies like to be swaddled (at least partially) until a much older age. Babies with sensory integration problems or those who are simply sensitive may like shrouding for much longer – it makes them feel safer, they sleep more soundly and fewer stimuli irritate their nervous system. A contraindication to shrouding is the baby’s turning from back to tummy – babies lying on their stomachs must not have their hands restrained in any way. This is a good time to stop swaddling and consider moving the baby to a sleeping bag, for example.

Sleep Consultants

Gosia and Marta

www.sleepconcept.pl