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Wrapping, or 'swaddling' babies is an age-old method used by parents to settle or soothe their tired or distressed baby. Wrapping is thought to help make a baby feel secure and reassured, after emerging from the confines of their mother's uterus. Wrapping a baby snugly can also help prevent triggering the normal
startle reflex. This is where the baby jerks, or swings their arms (in the new space around them), unintentionally waking up with a start.
Wrapping can be a great way to calm babies down. Be aware though, that wrapping will not work for all babies. While some will love it and quickly associate being wrapped with comfort and sleep, others will hate being contained and be upset until unwrapped (or do a 'Houdini' within minutes!) A few babies will enjoy having their arms wrapped but prefer one, or both, hands free to suck on their wrist, hand or fingers.
Getting to know what your baby prefers is part of the learning curve of parenting. Even if one of your children enjoyed being wrapped, their sibling may not! You might need to experiment with various methods to see what works for your baby. Sometimes it is a matter of using wrapping at particular times of the day, but not at others.
If your baby does like to be swaddled, you can use a flannelette or cotton 'bunny rug' (or a small cotton sheet or muslin gauze wrap during the warmer months). The staff in the postnatal ward will usually show you how to wrap your baby before you go home. If at home after a homebirth, or on the early discharge program, your midwife will demonstrate how this is done.