Swaddling is a great tool as it helps babies transition to the outside world after birth. It recreates the coziness and tight feeling of the womb.

As comforting as swaddling is for babies, it MIGHT interfere with breastfeeding. Let’s explore ways to swaddle effectively so it doesn’t affect breastfeeding success…

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Pros of Swaddling

Swaddling promotes sleep for baby.
Swaddling combats baby’s startle reflex and involuntary movements so they can sleep more soundly.

Swaddling can be part of a soothing bedtime routine.
Swaddling can be a wonderful tool to help newborns get ready for bed and sleep better.

Cons Of Breastfeeding While Swaddled

Swaddling while breastfeeding suppresses nursing reflexes.  
During breastfeeding newborns naturally use their arms and hands to locate the nipple to help them latch better.

Babies are able to nurse more effectively if they can freely move their hands and arms.

Baby may be unable to finish a full feeding. 
Breastfeeding in a swaddle causes your baby to dose off fast. Ideally, keep baby out of the swaddle while nursing so they’re stimulated, awake and alert to take in a full feeding of breast milk.

Swaddling may overheat baby.
Overheating creates extra sleepiness and may make baby less likely to wake to feed or finish a full feeding.

Cons of Swaddling Between Breastfeeding Sessions

Swaddling may make you miss baby’s hunger cues.  
Two common hunger cues that babies exhibit are moving their hands to their mouths and clenching their fists.

If baby is swaddled, you may miss those cues and over time, this can lead to baby not getting enough breast milk during those crucial early weeks.

Swaddling makes baby drowsy and less likely to wake to feed.
Having a sleepy baby may seem like a good thing, but studies show that swaddled babies breastfeed less frequently. 

Swaddling makes babies so comfy and warm and sleepy that they may not wake often enough to feed. Newborns should nurse at least 8-12 times every 24 hours.

Swaddling may make a gassy baby.  
Babies need freedom of movement in order to digest their milk.

Swaddling tightly restricts movement and can lead to extra gassiness and discomfort.

Alternatives to Swaddling While Breastfeeding

SKIN TO SKIN FOR THE WIN
Babies LOVE being skin to skin and it’s their natural happy place. Being skin to skin is one of the most beneficial tools for breastfeeding.

Studies show that babies who are held skin to skin as opposed to being swaddled are calmer overall and cry less. 

USE A SLEEP SACK INSTEAD!
Sleep sacks allow more movement and freedom of baby’s hands and legs than swaddling does. Another bonus of using sleep sacks is you can continue to use them once baby is able to roll over.

Our favorite sleep sack is THIS ONE because it’s lightly weighted, which is proven to help babies sleep longer. (bonus: it’s super cute!)

If you’re going to swaddle, here are some tips.

Always put baby to sleep on their back, especially if swaddled.
Placing baby on their bellies or side when they’re swaddled may increase the risk of suffocation and SIDS.

Keep one (or both!) arms out of the swaddle.

Make sure baby doesn’t overheat.
Don’t overdress baby under the swaddle and use a breathable, light blanket to swaddle.  Muslim blankets for the win!

Always make sure the swaddling blanket is secured tightly.
Loose blankets are a strangulation and suffocation hazard so keep the swaddle wrapping lightweight and off the head.  

Don’t swaddle too tightly, especially around the hips. 
Make sure the bottom tuck is loose enough that baby can still move their legs and hips. If baby’s legs are swaddled too tightly with their legs extended and not able to bend or flex it may lead to damage to the soft cartilage in the hips called DDH (developmental dysplasia).

Stop swaddling when baby is able to roll over on their own.

Keep baby unswaddled during the day as much as possible.  
Swaddling can be great for babies while they’re sleeping, but once they’re awake, they should be unswaddled.

Q&A:  How do I swaddle for middle of the night nursing sessions?

You have a couple options.  

1. You can keep your baby swaddled for middle of the night feeds. 

2. (*BEST OPTION!) You can take them out of the swaddle, change their diaper, nurse skin to skin, and then gently swaddle them back to sleep after they had a full feeding.  Some moms even nurse baby a bit more after re-swaddling.

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