Baby in Wool 2016

Swaddling a newborn

1. Lay the baby on its back on a swaddle cloth, top edge of the cloth above shoulders.

2. Set the baby’s hand on its chest and turn the top right-hand edge of the swaddle cloth briskly over the baby’s right shoulder diagonally towards the lower left-hand edge.

3. Now set the baby’s other hand on its chest.

4. Lift the left edge of the swaddle cloth over baby’s left shoulder diagonally towards the lower right-hand edge.

5. Straighten the swaddle cloth’s hem, and turn it on top of the baby.

6. Fold the cloth’s left edge through the baby’s back onto the tummy side. Straighten the pleats carefully, so that they don’t press the baby’s back.

7. Take the cloth’s right edge to the backside and thread the last corner into the previous fold.

8. Correctly swaddled baby is a brisk package. Swaddle cloth provides the baby with a womb-like, peaceful sense.

Expert says Whilst working in the labour ward, I have noticed that a baby calms immediately when a silk bonnet is put on its head. Swaddling gives womb-like security and helps the baby fall into a deep and peaceful sleep. These days the swaddling is done so that a baby can put a hand in its mouth. Pernilla Stenbäck, midwife