Do you know that about 90% of North American parents swaddle their babies? For centuries, parents have used swaddling to calm their babies, and now science proves exactly why it works so well. It helps your baby get restful sleep and gives you peace of mind. So, why exactly should you swaddle a newborn?
Wrapping a baby in a swaddle blanket mimics the cozy, secure feeling of a mother’s womb. This can make the difference between a restless and a peaceful night’s sleep for your baby. The benefits of swaddling are more than just tradition. Here are five more proven reasons to swear by this practice!
Why Swaddle a Newborn Effective?
The moment a baby says hello to the world, they also enter the fourth trimester. This is a crucial period for both you and your baby. Your little one is adjusting to life outside the womb, and you're adjusting to life after delivery.
A baby swaddle blanket will be your trusted sidekick during this time. Swaddling recreates the feeling inside a mother’s womb—a snug embrace with gentle pressure. This triggers your baby’s self-soothing nature, calms them down, provides a sense of safety, and lulls them to a peaceful sleep.
5 Proven Benefits of Swaddling
1. Promotes Longer, Deeper Sleep
Swaddling a baby keeps their arms secured along their torso or on their chest. This prevents unwanted movements that can wake your little one up during the night, promoting longer and deeper sleep.
The benefits of swaddling go beyond a baby’s sleep quality. According to the National Library of Medicine (NLM), longer sleep duration in infancy is prospectively related to better cognitive development and emotion regulation.
That said, your little one can only benefit from swaddling when you do it properly. Check out our guide on swaddling babies correctly for a sound sleep.
2. Soothes the Startle (Moro) Reflex
Have you ever seen your baby suddenly stretch their arms out and pull them in, then begin to cry? That's the Moro reflex, or startle reflex. This is a common response in newborn babies. A natural reflex that happens when your baby feels startled by a sudden movement, a loud noise, or the feeling of falling. Regardless of the trigger, the Moro reflex is the main culprit behind your baby’s frequent wake-ups.
Swaddling prevents the startle reflex by holding the baby’s arms and minimizing unwanted arm movements. The NLM also claims that swaddling infants above the waist increased sleep duration, reduced motor activity and startles.
A baby swaddle wrap gives your baby a cozy feeling by holding their arms tightly with gentle pressure. This provides a secure snugness that is enough to prevent flailing without hurting your little one. A survey of parents at SwaddleAn found that swaddling made a big difference. Most babies went from taking 30- to 45-minute naps to sleeping for 6-7 hours.
3. Helps Calm a Fussy or Colicky Baby
According to Dr. Harvey Karp’s 5 S’s for soothing babies, the first “S” is swaddling. This method calms a fussy baby by mimicking a gentle hug from the mother. This creates a sense of security for your baby.
Excessive fussiness combined with a hard, bloated tummy can indicate colic in babies. The gentle pressure of a swaddle blanket can soothe colic symptoms and comfort your baby. That's why we recommend swaddling babies with colic.
4. Encourages a Safe Sleeping Position
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends putting your baby on their back for every sleep. This is the safest position to reduce the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome). When swaddled properly, the restricted arm movements make it harder for your little one to flip and sleep on their stomach.
Important Note: STOP swaddling when your baby shows signs of rolling over. Safety first! For all the details on swaddling safely and when to make the transition, be sure to check out our full guidelines!
5. Helps Regulate Body Temperature
Have you ever bundled your baby in multiple layers of clothing under a swaddle? Time to stop this practice, as it can cause dangerous overheating. Instead, choose a swaddle blanket made from safe materials tailored for each season.
If you find a swaddle blanket that's thick enough yet still breathable for winter, you don't have to tuck layers of clothes underneath. Similarly, a thin, breathable swaddle blanket aids in regulating body temperature, keeping your baby warm without overheating in summer.
How to Choose the Perfect Swaddle Blanket?
Now that you know the science-backed benefits of swaddling, it's time to invest in one for your little angel. Various types of swaddle blankets available, including traditional swaddle blankets, swaddle pods, and swaddle sacks.
Regardless of your choice, remember to select items made from safe, breathable materials. We make all SwaddleAn swaddle blankets from natural, breathable fabrics to keep your little one cozy and safe.
Looking for a safe swaddling solution? Shop our incredibly breathable newborn swaddle blankets now!
Conclusion
Deeper sleep, absolute safety, and less fussiness are what swaddling brings to the table. These items are amazing sidekicks on your parenting journey. The first few months can be tough, but you don't have to face sleepless nights and fussy babies alone. Let SwaddleAn give you a hand to chase away that nightmare!
Related Blog Posts
The 3 Main Types of Swaddles & Which to Avoid
Choose the Right Swaddle Material for Your Baby's Comfort
Picking the Perfect Swaddle Blanket for Different Seasons
3 Key Swaddle Blanket Features You Shouldn't Ignore in 2025
References
- Swaddling and hip dysplasia: https://adc.bmj.com/content/99/1/5.short
- Sleep across the first year of life is prospectively associated with brain volume in 12-months old infants: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10313911/
- The effect of swaddling on infant sleep and arousal: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9748185/
- HealthyChildren.org Safe Sleep Articles: https://www.aap.org/en/patient-care/safe-sleep/healthy-children-safe-sleep-articles/
