Swaddling: its benefits, its limits

 Swaddling helps to reduce startled awakenings when the baby is sleeping. Indeed, the newborn is subject to the Moro reflex until he is 4 to 6 months old.

This reflex causes startles, often awakenings, and baby requires a hug or restraint to be soothed.

Swaddling therefore fills  this need for containment and permanence of contact, giving baby the same sensation as as the one inthe womb

 The Ma Petite Laine birth cocoon, designed by a pediatric physiotherapist, was created to meet this need for permanent contact:

- Capacity

- Flexed position to facilitate digestion

- Hand access to go back to sleep like In Utero.

- Thermoregulation even in summer.

- Freedom of movement: the cocoon supports baby's motor learning, and can be used day or night.

- Easy to use

 The “limits” of classic swaddling:

The extended position:

Baby is stretched out, straight as an i. And this position does not promote digestion. As newborns are prone to colic until they are 4 months old, stomach pains are a subject to consider seriously to help baby sleep peacefully.

No hand-to-mouth access:

Baby cannot reach his hands while being swaddled. However, the baby is used to suking his fingers since he was In Utero, which helps him discover the oral sphere, and relieves him of ailments. Babies have indeed very innervated mouths, containing many sensory receptors, and it's important to. keep this habit of this.

 Overheating:

Cotton or synthetic blankets can make the baby too hot. Excess heat cannot be evacuated easily, but babies naturally increase their temperature while sleeping. Therefore, using a breathable fabric is essential.

The limited swaddling time and the difficulty of putting it in place:

Beyond 3/4 months, it is not recommended to swaddle baby in a classic way, because he has to be free to move.