Baby you’ve got to move it, move it!

March 28, 2012 - PRLog -- Imagine one day, awaking from sleep to find your nice, comfortable, warm, meals-on-tap, fairly dark world had been swapped for clangy noises and a bright environment full of giants!
Basically, you have just been introduced to the world of a new baby.  Some babies thrive on the new experience, whilst others may have some (minor) problems adapting to it.  So how can you help them to adapt?
Most newborns love to be swaddled when going to sleep. In many ways this simulates baby’s womb experience.  Swaddling a baby is the process by which you wrap them up, securely but never too tightly, in a cloth, wrap, muslin, cotton nappy or piece of sheet at night. Natural breathable fabrics like 100% cotton are the safest and most comfortable for swaddling baby.  
Care should be taken that baby doesn't get too warm nor that he is wrapped up so tight that breathing or hip and leg movements are restricted.
Experts now agree that babies should only be swaddled when sleeping as too much constriction of movement can cause issues with the development of the ball and socket hip joint.  So babies who enjoy being swaddled should be allowed plenty of time in loose clothing during the day. There is also a school of thought that believes that babies over a month old shouldn't be swaddled. But if your baby is as bad a sleeper as many mums suggest I would suggest that you give flexible swaddling a go for a lot longer than that.  Many babies are successfully swaddled up to 6-12 months of age
Remembering NOT to swaddle too tightly around the chest and baby’s legs, you will need a largish fabric wrap.  You fold down one corner, placing baby face up with the fold at his neck. Then fold the left corner of the blanket over his body and tuck it underneath him. Fold the bottom over his feet and tuck the right side in. Confused?  Me too! But it works! There are some good diagrams in several excellent books including the Baby-gami by Andrea Sarvady, Swaddle Love by Raegan Moya-Jones, Baby Wisdom booklet by Miriam Rutherford van-Gisbergen http://www.blurb.com/bookstore/detail/2530076 and Pinky McKay’s books http://www.pinky-mychild.com/books-by-pinky
Importantly swaddling should not be able to loosen enough to risk covering baby's face whilst he/she is asleep.  As you have probably gathered there is a knack to swaddling correctly.  Grab your mum, grandma, midwife, baby whisperer or a booklet to show you how it's done properly and safely.
If you choose traditional swaddling the original Sleepwrap babywrap by Safe T Sleep helps to keep the swaddling cloth safely in place.
Then to make the transition from total mummifying to more flexibility is so easy. Usually around 3-4 months of age most babies like at least one if not both hands free. Any unique preference your baby may have can be made safer and easier together with the Safe T Sleep system of wrapping.
If you would prefer a totally more flexible approach to swaddling without the inherent risks, give the Safe T Sleep system on its own a try instead. Baby’s limbs remain free and baby is able to do everything developmentally possible at her particular stage of development, yet it still gives baby a feeling of security and helps reduce most of the risky things such as rolling, creeping, entanglement, hip problems, suffocation and older babies from the risk of falls.
Parents can sleep well too knowing baby is safe and sound. In fact baby looks so comfortable that it's a pity there isn't an adult version available!

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The Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap is a useful aid to nurturing positive parenting skills. It helps prevent injuries and fatalities without restricting breathing or natural movements. It also offers significant Peace Of Mind!