Baby will not have control of his or her limbs for the first few weeks of life so will make involuntary jerky movements. Swadling can help baby to keep their limbs still and make them feel the security and warmth of being back in the womb. Swaddling is a way of wrapping your baby in a sheet or blanket to hold their arms down. This can be comforting for newborns.

To swaddle your baby:

1. Lay a square or rectangular blanket on the floor or bed.
2. Fold one corner down slightly then lay baby on the blanket with their neck on the folded corner.
3. Wrap one side of the blanket over baby and tuck the loose end behind their back.
4. Then wrap the other side over and around baby’s back. They wil look a bit like a Russian Doll.
5. Double check that the wrap is not tight around baby’s neck
6. Keep a check on baby to make sure they are not getting too hot.
7. Most babies like to be swaddled with their hands on their chest
8. Leave baby’s head mainly clear of swaddling to avoid overheating

Most babies will love this form of blanketing for several weeks until they learn to control their arms and get used to their new world. Some will even love it for months. When they want to be able to move their arms a bit more graduate to swadling under their armpits or using a baby sleeping bag such as a Grobag.