How to Swaddle a Baby

How to Swaddle a Baby

Place the receiving blanket in front of you in a diamond position. Make sure the blanket is on a flat surface to ensure proper swaddling and no bunching fabric.

Fold the top corner of the blanket, where baby’s head will be, down about 6 inches.

Place your baby onto the center of the blanket with baby’s head just above the top of the fold.

Start with the left corner of the blanket, on baby’s right hand side. Pull the left side of the blanket across baby’s body so that it is comfortably holding baby’s arm on baby’s chest. Do not pull so tightly that it impedes baby’s breathing. Tuck fabric snugly under baby and make sure there are no bumps in the fabric. The baby’s weight of the baby on the tucked fabric will assist in holding the swaddle snugly. Many babies will pull their hands out of the swaddle and put them in their mouth. This is a form of self-soothing for your baby and is perfectly normal. In fact, infant researches suggest that this be allowed for self-consoling.

Lift the bottom corner up across baby and tuck and smooth under baby’s left shoulder and body. Again, make sure there is no bunching fabric. Baby’s legs should remain apart with knees and hips bent to allow natural movement and joint development.

Finally, lift the corner on the right, baby’s left hand side, and pull all the way across and all the way around baby’s body. Tuck the last corner into the folded blanket by baby’s left shoulder. You may find it helpful to fold a bit of the upper edge down before going across and all the way around the baby.

We have found the best receiving blanket for swaddling is any of SwaddleDesigns® Ultimate Receiving Blankets®. The SwaddleDesigns® Receiving Blanket® was designed so the cotton will be stretchy when it is placed in the diamond position. And the generous 42Lx42W" dimensions makes for easy swaddling.

As a bonus, the Ultimate Receiving Blanket doubles as a privacy throw for nursing, sunshield or play mat for tummy time!

The information contained on this website is intended to compliment, not substitute for, the advice of your your child's pediatrician. Consult with your own pediatrician, who can discuss your family's individual needs.