Expecting a new baby?? Swaddle tips to make you look like a pro!! | Cornwall Newborn Photographer
During every newborn session, parents will comment that they can’t believe how sleepy & content their baby is!! I have been dubbed a “baby whisperer” in almost all of my sessions & sometimes even have been offered a full time live in nanny job!!! LOL!
It’s not just luck or by chance that most babies are calm & peaceful for the majority of their session! Over the years of having my own babies & working with close to 50 other babies, I’ve learned a number of tricks to soothe & comfort these new humans! So I decided to try & help new parents by creating a series of blog posts to share some of the techniques that I use during my sessions. Each of these tips can be used at home to make your baby more comfortable!
The Swaddle….
I know this first tip can be very difficult for parents!! I remember watching in awe, as the nurse in the hospital magically wraps your newborn in their first swaddle!! Doesn’t look hard right?!? It seems so simple to swaddle them back up…first you fold right, then you try to fold left, an arm thrusts out here, foot pushed out there….next thing you know, the blanket is one hot mess with your newborn letting you know they aren’t enjoying this!
Personally, I think it would be a great idea to show to ALL new parents how to properly swaddle while they are still in the hospital! This technique is extremely helpful in keeping your newborn baby happy & you rested!! Huge tip alert….DON’T STOP SWADDLING WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOSPITAL! There’s a reason that the nurses & midwives swaddle babies in the hospital, from birth to about four to five months. Babies have a natural startle reflex that makes them feel like they are falling & this feeling can make the baby jerk suddenly, even if they are sleeping. This reflex will often wake them up! Keeping a tight swaddle prevents them from startling themselves awake, which helps them sleep more deeply & hopefully for longer periods of time!
When I first started specializing in newborn photography & posing, I believed, like many of my clients, that there were babies who just do not like being swaddled. Often, this is not the case…as I am getting a newborn into a swaddle they are moving their arms plus their legs & sometimes they are a little bit fussy! I always mention to parents, that their little one may fuss at first but once they are in a complete & firm swaddle (meaning, not loose enough that they can wiggle themselves out of the swaddle) they calm right down! If a baby is still fussing while in a swaddle, generally it isn't the swaddle per se that is upsetting them, they may have gas or need to be feed a bit more.
While there is the old fashioned way of swaddling with cotton receiving blanket but there are many new wonderful alternative swaddle bags available for parents to use! Generally, swaddling is safe for all newborns, but if your baby has hip dysplasia or other hip issues, swaddling may aggravate that. Be sure to check with your pediatrician if that’s the case for you!
Here is a great resource for swaddling “how to” tips, best alternative swaddle bags & other extremely useful information about swaddling techniques found on babylist.com
Always remember there are some practical tips on keeping your newborn safe while sleeping…
Place your baby on their back to sleep & not to have any loose blankets in your baby’s bassinet or crib. A loose blanket, including a swaddling blanket that comes unwrapped, could cover your baby’s face & increase the risk of suffocation.
Use caution when buying products that claim to reduce the risk of SIDS. Wedges, positioners, special mattresses & specialized sleep surfaces have not been shown to reduce the risk of SIDS, according to the AAP.
Swaddling can increase the chance your baby will overheat, so avoid letting your baby get too hot. Keep clothing under the swaddle to a minimum & keep an eye out for sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash& rapid breathing.
I hope this post has been helpful on learning the advantages of swaddling! This technique has changed the way I flow through my newborn sessions & posing of these little ones….making our sessions fairly quick & relaxed!
Expecting a new addition to your family or know someone who is? Amazing & congratulations!! Hop on over to the newborn page for more information about a session….newborns
Like to schedule your session?? Awesome!! Send me a message & let’s chat about your session…
Like to see more?? Please take a peek into this perfect in home newborn session… South Mountain Session
Interested in a studio session, similar to the images above, have a gander at the Trottier family studio session… Trottier Studio Session