Since ancient times, newborn infants have been swaddled. And to this day in some maternity hospitals mothers are handed a wrapped baby and are taught to swaddle it themselves. But on returning home before the young mother gets the choice: continue to swaddle crumbs or dress up in clothes that are abundant and of great variety can be found in stores? Let's try to figure out whether it is necessary to swaddle a newborn and what are the arguments "for" and "against" swaddling.
Why swaddle a child?
If you ask this question to your mom or grandmother, most likely they will quickly drop out to you in response: "Why?" To not be afraid, and that the legs were even. " In general, this statement contains two main arguments in favor of swaddling:
- Swaddling is necessary in order to limit the chaotic movements of the handles and legs of the child, so that he does not frighten himself, either during wakefulness or during sleep. Indeed, because of the high tone of the muscles and the tension of the developing nervous system, children often have a pinch of arms and legs. In the womb of the mother the child also made sharp movements, but they were limited to the walls of the uterus and softened by the liquid medium. Now, without feeling support during movement, the kid can really get nervous. In this sense, the diaper, indeed, can to some extent help the crumb sleeping in the crib. However, there are other ways: for example, to reduce the motor activity of the child during sleep will help putting on the stomach. Sleeping on the belly, the baby pushes the arms and legs under him, taking a pose close to the position of his body in the womb, and thus always feels the support. In addition, in the position on the abdomen, the baby digestion improves. The main thing that should be remembered when putting the child to sleep on the stomach is to provide the baby with free breathing: the pillow should not have pillows, bulky blankets, the mattress must be quite rigid.
- Until recently, there was a belief that newborns needed a so-called "tight" swaddling: when the legs and arms of the child straighten and tightly wrap the diaper. It was believed that this would prevent the development of curvature of the legs. Now we know for sure that this is nothing more than a myth. On the contrary, the natural position of the newborn's legs is bent and slightly unfolded. And to violate it by tight swaddling is not only not necessary, but also harmful. And the curvature of the legs, if this, of course, is not a hereditary sign, can develop unless due to rickets, which has nothing to do with the way the child is dressed.
Is it harmful to swaddle a child?
If it is a question of tight swaddling, then this is undoubtedly harmful:
- as already mentioned, a tight swaddling violates the natural position of the newborn for the newborn;
- a tight swaddling disturbs the normal diaphragmatic breathing of the child, as it squeezes the stomach and chest;
- for the same reason, a tight swaddling disturbs the blood circulation in the child;
- a tight swaddling provokes the occurrence of diaper rash in tightly clamped axillary cavities, inguinal folds, etc .;
- A tight swaddling delays the process of "getting used to" the baby to its pens and legs.
So that the benefits of swaddling can be said only in relation to the so-called free or wide swaddling, which preserves the natural position of the child's body. It is good to use knitted elastic diapers, more comfortable for both mom and baby. Free swaddling (with or without handles, when there is enough free space inside the diaper for movements), really contributes to:
- a more peaceful sleep of the baby in the first weeks of life, by limiting "throw-ups";
- the development of touch, since inside the convolution the baby can touch both his own body and the cloth of the diaper.
Widespread swaddling (when the diaper is padded between the legs of the child) is recommended for use in prevention and
How many months does it take to swaddle a child?
As you already know, there is no unequivocal answer to the question: "how long to swaddle a child?", As well as the question: "Is it necessary to swaddle a child in general?"
Anyway, if you still decide to swaddle a baby, know that you should not do this for longer than 3 months, so as not to interfere with the development of coordinated motor activity. Most likely, the child himself will prompt you with his stormy protest when you stop swaddling him. So be attentive to the baby and do as he pleases.