The art of baby swaddling
Click here to down-load our latest swaddling instructions, “As seen in Little Treasures Pregnancy and Birth – to buy a copy go to www.magshop.co.nz”
The key to enjoying the benefits of swaddling are:
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Using an effective technique (so your baby stays wrapped!)
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The right wrap for your baby (big enough so you can use the right technique!)
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The wrap and placement:
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Choose a big wrap, 1 x 1m for newborns and 1.2 x 1.2m or 1.1 x 1.3m for 3+ months.
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Choose fabric that is appropriate to the season and remember the wrap counts as a layer of clothing!
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Lie wrap diagonally and fold top corner down until almost half way.
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Lie baby across the top edge, just below the fold line
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The first wrap:
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Fold the first side across baby, rolling him over to tuck firmly in behind his back.
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Ensure his arm is straight, inside the wrap! If not, he will escape!
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Pull wrap snug around the neck, by pulling wrap on the opposite side. If wrap is not tight here, a bigger baby can bust out the top of the wrap!
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The feet wrap:
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Fold the bottom corner of the wrap up and tuck well under the unfolded shoulder.
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With a newborn baby, it doesn’t matter if the legs are not completely straight, as they are used to having their legs folded up close.
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If this step isn’t done, the baby can push out the top of the wrap, kick off bedcovers and loosen the wrap.
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The V-neck wrap:
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This is the trickiest step, but with practice you will master the v-neck!
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Ensure 2nd arm is straight.
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Fold the 2nd corner down over the shoulder, making a nice tight v-neck on the chest with the first shoulder.
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Hold the V-neck firm with your left hand, while wrapping the rest of the wrap across the front of baby with your right hand, and round behind.
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Trouble-shooting for Houdini babies!
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One or both arms were not straight?
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The wrap was not snug round the neck?
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The wrap was too loose?
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The wrap didn’t go right round the baby?
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The wrap you are using is too small?
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