The Truth About Sleep
- Sleep deprivation is the number one stressor for new mothers.
- A mother loses 350 hours of sleep at night over her baby's first
year.
- Lack of sleep for just 24 hours can leave you short-tempered and
irrational.
- REM sleep is nearly doubled in babies who are swaddled than in
those who are not.
Why does your baby cry and what can you do about it?
After 9 months of warmth and security, a baby can have a difficult
time adjusting to the huge amount of activity present in life outside
their mother's womb. Dr. Harvey Karp, author of Happiest Baby on the
Block and many other pediatricians believe that babies are not prepared
for their new environment and can have a difficult time adjusting to
their new world. The newborn's reaction is to cry, and at times making
their parents cry too!
Swaddling is a time-tested technique used to keep infants warm and
cozy by securely wrapping their bodies. The swaddling technique provides
newborns with a sense of security by imitating the sanctuary of their
mother's womb. Recent studies have shown that swaddling your baby
results in better sleep, for a longer amount of time - exactly what
every parent needs!
The Facts: Why Swaddle
- It helps your baby sleep longer and sounder.
- It is proven to reduce colic and fussiness.
- It recreates the warmth and security of the mother's womb while
adjusting to their new world.
- Swaddling limits the startle reflex, which wakes babies during
their sleep.
- Properly swaddled babies sleep through the night sooner.
- It helps your baby become aware of your efforts to soothe her.
- It's safe, easy and reduces the risk of SIDS.
The Myths: Why Not
- It's too late to swaddle - false, it's never too late even if
your baby is already 2 or 3 months old-many mothers swaddle their
baby until 6 months of age.
- Swaddling is primitive - true, it's a prehistoric practice but
it works!
- Babies are uncomfortable - false, newborns love being confined
and are soothed by being tightly swaddled.
- Babies will overheat - false, newborns are used to bring in the
womb, an environment close to 100 degrees. (Although in warmer
climates, you could swaddle them in a onesie or even in their
diaper.)
- Swaddling takes too much effort - false, true swaddling may take
effort, but after a few times you'll be an expert- the rewards will
be well worth it!
- Babies will get dependent-somewhat true, swaddling gives your
baby the comfort they need, as your baby grows you can adjust your
technique, perhaps let their legs free to kick about or one arm free
for access to suck their fingers (your baby will let you know).
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