Swaddle, Swaddle, Swaddle! | Newborn Parenting Tip # 1

Swaddling

It’s the most magical tool in soothing your newborn!

Very often, during their newborn session, parents will comment that they can’t believe how sleepy and content their baby is. I have been dubbed a “baby whisperer” in all of my sessions. Sometimes, they even ask if I can come home with them! LOL!

It’s not just luck or by chance that most babies are calm and peaceful for the majority of their session. Over the years of working with hundreds of babies, I’ve learned a number of tricks to soothe and comfort these sweet little ones, and to surround them with a comfortable environment. So I decided to create a 5 Part Blog Series to share some of the techniques that I use during my sessions, which can be used at home to make your baby more comfortable.

Alright, let’s get started with Part One: The Swaddle.

First things first: DON’T STOP SWADDLING WHEN YOU LEAVE THE HOSPITAL! There’s a reason that the nurses and 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 and if they are sleeping, it will often wake them up. Keeping a tight swaddle makes newborns feel safe and secure, prevents them from startling themselves awake, and helps them sleep more deeply and for longer.

When I first started specializing in newborn photography and posing, I believed, like many of my clients, that there were babies who just do not like being swaddled. This is not the case. Often, as I am getting a newborn into a swaddle they are moving their arms and legs and sometimes they are a little bit fussy. Once they are in a complete and 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 it isn't the swaddle per se that is upsetting them, they may have gas or need more food.

Don't give up on the swaddle! It's my number one tip for a reason! It's magic!

Many of my clients tell me that they are only taught how to swaddle the baby at the hospital, and by the time they get home they have already forgotten—which is totally understandable! Often, when I am in the middle of a session, new parents will ask me how to do a swaddle. So, during a recent session, I showed a curious mama how I swaddled her baby, and she was kind enough to film me doing it so I could share this video with all of you! Shout out to Amanda!

I hope you found this useful. And you’re welcome for all the sleep you’re gonna get! ;) Be sure to click here to subscribe to our mailing list so that you don’t miss out on the rest of the series and other offers.