What are you planning to swaddle with?

[tlat]

Hi
As a first timer, I was just wondering what you are using to swaddle? Do I really need to buy the made for purpose swaddling blanket or will any cellular blanket/ sheet do? Thanks!

Anything of a sheet/blanket type is perfect. Have never found those purpose made things to be anywhere near as good.

I find it easier to swaddle using something with a bit of stretch in it so I bought some t-shirt type cotton and cut it into big rectangles.

I got some biggish square muslins, they're listed as swaddling cloths but they'll be useful for loads of stuff.

the important thing is technique not what you use. Try to have a go before the baby arrives if you've got any friends who swaddle or ask midwife to show you. I like slightly stretchy material but have used cotton sheets, cellular blankets anything really. My dp liked the swaddle blanket that someone bought us he just found it easier as he knew what to fold where.

I use large muslin cloths designed for swaddling, they are super soft and have some stretch in them. When DS was around 2 or 3 mths I swapped to the Mothercare swaddle blanket which is the same design as the Mircle Wrap - absolute brilliant design!!

Slightly differet question but do you need to swaddle?

I dont know why but I dont like the look of it, do all babies like it?

Cellular blankets can be a bit bulky if you intend to breastfeed. If you stick with swaddling I really recommend the Miracle Blanket (from amazon). I would just use flat sheets for a Moses basket or something.

not all babies like it, my friends hated it and of course it's up to you as a mum but i think lots of mums and babies find it helps them settle

Don't have to swaddle at all but can help some babies sleep as they feel secure, don't scratch themselves and don't startle awake. Also useful for breastfeeding when the baby's hands get in the way. I recommend an over and under arm swaddle for feeding.

Till how many months/weeks should the babies be swaddled? Should the babies be swaddled at night?

My dd2 is still swaddled at night at 6 months. She doesn't sleep if not swaddled. I only swaddle her to feed if I'm expecting her to feed to sleep. But in the early days I swaddled for every feed to keep her scratchy little hands out of the way (I should do it now as currently she is feeding and sticking her hands in my mouth!).

When feeding this is how I would swaddle: take your muslin or sheet and put it so it is diamond shaped rather than square, fold the top down either halfway or not quite half so you have a flat edge at the top. Lay the baby so their shoulders are on the flat bit (if you swaddle to high it makes it hard to support their neck) take one of the side points and wrap it over the baby's arm then tuck it underneath the baby so only their arm is covered and is effectively pinned down. Do the same the other side. When you have the baby latched onto the breast you can untuck the swaddle to allow the baby to pump the breast with their fist which helps the milk let down.

For sleeping you could do the under arm swaddle then wrap another sheet around the baby, this is quite hard for them to break free from and is essentially how the miracle blanket works.