What Is a Swaddle Bath and How to Give One?

Even while swaddling your infant might be difficult at first, it has many advantages for both you and your child. Many parents are concerned that swaddling will induce slumber in their infants or possibly put them to sleep. The truth is, the infant swaddle bath is a procedure where the baby can unwind and finally go off to sleep. Swaddling is a crucial aspect of your baby’s existence, and it’s a good idea to get started as soon as possible.

What Is Swaddle Bathing?

Swaddle immersion baths are used to wash infants while they are gently enveloped in a blanket. It is typical to immerse the child and the blanket in a tub of water, with the water reaching up to the infant’s shoulder. The infant must next be unswaddled, and each leg washed individually before being re-swaddled to complete the procedure.

Why Do Newborns Need a Swaddle Bath?

Swaddle immersion baths keep the child warm and comfortable during bath time, providing a more womb-like environment for the infant. After carefully unwrapping and cleaning each limb, it is gently rewrapped in the covers. 

Benefits of Swaddle Bath for a Baby

Swaddle bath comes with many benefits. Continue reading to learn more about the benefits of swaddling baths for babies.

1. Swaddling May Help Your Baby Sleep More Deeply and for an Extended Time

While a newborn sleeps around 16 hours per day, that sleep is broken into 3- to 4-hour intervals. According to some studies, swaddling newborns increases their REM (rapid eye movement) sleep. When newborns are in this more profound stage of sleep, they are less likely to awaken fully, which means that parents will spend less time at the baby’s bedside ministering to a wide-awake and weeping youngster.

2. Swaddling a Baby Who Is Weeping May Sooth Them

This is the benefit that has prompted so many parents to give swaddling a try. Consider being able to quiet a crying newborn with a few easy hand folds! However, this is not a supernatural phenomenon. Also, swaddling reduces crying in infants aged eight weeks or younger. 

3. Swaddling a Baby May Help Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS)

Newborns that sleep on their stomachs have a higher risk of SIDS death than other babies. As a consequence, babies should be put on their backs while sleeping. Unswaddled newborns who are properly swaddled with their faces facing upward are less likely to fidget and shift during sleep, resulting in the baby ending up on their stomach.

Risks of Swaddle Bath

There are also specific hazards associated with an immersion bath. Continue reading to find out more about the dangers of swaddling newborns in tubs of water.

1. Swaddling May Delay Breastfeeding

Babies are checked, swaddled for warmth, and returned to Mom so she can nurse. Researchers discovered that swaddled babies suckled better and took to the breast sooner than skin-to-skin babies. The swaddling blanket prevents newborns from breastfeeding. Babies use their hands to identify, manipulate, and shape their nipples. The swaddled and skin-to-skin groups had similar breastfeeding capacity and impact as the older infants.

2. This Can Affect Weight

A swaddled baby’s lack of weight gain is due to delayed breastfeeding. Another theory is that unwrapped babies might not get enough contact to grow.

3. Swaddling a Child Loses Heat

Researchers found that allowing newborns to touch their mothers’ skin keep them warm. Swaddling has been shown to help regulate body temperature, but it may also increase the risk of hyperthermia. To avoid overheating, use light cotton swaddling blankets; however, it is best not to cover the head.

4. Swaddling Increases the Risk of Hip Dysplasia

Swaddling stretches hips and knees. Besides hip dysplasia, prolonged sitting in this posture can cause arthritis and leg length variations throughout a child’s life. DDH swaddling a child is harmful. Swaddle your baby, but leave room for them to bend and flex their legs.

How to Give a Swaddle Bath to Your Baby?

A home swaddle bath makes you warm, cozy, and secure with the essential guidelines for swaddle bath sessions. Follow the step-by-step guide for swaddle bath below to learn more.

What You Will Need

• Infant towels
• Swaddle blankets
• Diapers/jammies
• Infant soaps
• Damp cloth
• Blossoming bath
• A water-resistant pad (neatly folded in half)

Instructions

1. A swaddle is a blanket wrapped around a baby’s underpants to keep it warm at sleep.
2. Extend one side across the arms to surround them.
3. By folding up the remaining arm, use a clean washcloth to finish the swaddling. Always begin by thoroughly cleansing the infant’s face with water.
4. To avoid eye infections, wipe the inside of the eyes.
5. Wipe the remainder of the face, including the cheeks and ears, with a clean towel.
6. While the remainder of your body should remain wrapped, one arm should be opened.
7. Re-swaddle the infant and re-pour warm water over the body to keep it warm as you wash one of the infant’s hands. Unwrap the second arm, wash it, and then rewrap it.
8. Following that, untie each leg and wash it in warm water before reattaching it. Repeat the technique until all of the baby’s legs are dry.
9. To wash the belly, pull the bottom part down while covering your arms and legs.
10. When you’re finished, wash your privates and put away the wash towel.
11. Replace the infant’s cover.
12. Continue washing the baby’s back by leaning back.
13. Finally, pour water over the baby’s head. Leaving the head until last guarantees that the baby’s body temperature is maintained and that the infant does not get too chilly due to a wet head
14. If the baby poops in the bath and the water has to be changed.
15. And give your baby another bath before venturing outside to dry and moisturize.

It may take a few tries to get the hang of it, but once you do, you’ll realize that this is the most efficient and delightful method of washing your kid!

Things to Remember When Giving Swaddle Bath

If you wrap your newborn correctly, both you and your baby will benefit from a peaceful night’s sleep. Several critical safety concerns and important tips for swaddle bath include the following:

• Snugly Wrapped But Not Too Firmly: In an ideal world, you should be able to fit a few fingers between the swaddled body of the infant and the top blanket. Legs should be bent and stretched out to allow for freedom of movement.
• Ascertain That Your Child Is Always On Her Back: It is the most secure posture, whether swaddled or un-swaddled. Maintain the bottom of the blanket underneath your infant.
• It Is Critical To Maintain A Cool Temperature For The Infant: Swaddling may be associated with overheating and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Maintain a suitable room temperature (between 68 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round). When it comes to keeping your youngster warm, avoid layering excessively. The body of an overheated individual will exhibit overheating symptoms such as a runny nose and puffy eyes.
• Use A Swaddle For Naps And Overnight Sleep: Swaddling your infant may be an excellent alternative for assisting them in sleeping. Swaddling during the night is no more dangerous than swaddling during nap time if done correctly. You’ll have several opportunities to examine her health due to the frequency of her feedings. You may choose to monitor her more often while she is sleeping.

With this, you can now master the art of preparing for your baby’s first swaddle bath. In this way, not only will your baby be comfortable and fall asleep faster, but you can also sneak in a few additional hours of sleep yourself.

Also Read:

How Often Should You Bathe Your Infant (1 to 12 Months)?
Bathing Your Infant – Procedures, Tips and More
When and How to Stop Swaddling an Infant