How to Swaddle a Newborn

Co-authored by Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)

Last Updated: August 11, 2021 References

Are you a tired new parent trying to get your newborn baby to sleep through the night? Wondering how to duplicate the swaddling technique demonstrated by the nurse in the hospital? An snug swaddle replicates the feeling of being inside the womb and can comfort your baby.^{[1]
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Expert Source

Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)
Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator
Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.} It may seem like a lot of complicated folding, but properly swaddling you baby is very easy.

Part 1

Part 1 of 2:

Folding The Swaddling Blanket

1
Obtain your swaddling blanket. Be sure to use a cotton or muslin blanket that is at least 24 by 24 inches (61 by 61 cm).^{[2]
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Research source} You can also purchase blankets that are specially made for swaddling or make them easily using fabric, scissors, an iron, and a sewing machine.
- This is the standard size for swaddling a nearly newborn baby. As the baby grows, you may need to use a larger blanket, about 40 by 40 inches (100 by 100 cm).^{[3]
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2
Fold the blanket for swaddling. Position the swaddling blanket on a secure, flat surface such as on the floor or on a bed. Rotate the square blanket so the corners of the blanket are pointed up, down, and to the sides, or in a diamond shape, rather than being in the position of a normal square. Fold the top corner of the blanket down about 8 inches (20 cm).^{[4]
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Expert Source

Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)
Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator
Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.}
- Make sure that you always keep 1 hand on your baby for safety.
- If the baby is bigger, you are going to fold less of the top corner down. If the baby is smaller, you are going to fold the top corner down further.^{[5]
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- If you wish you can fold the folded fabric down one more time to make an approximate 2 in (5.1 cm) ridge.^{[6]
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  Research source} This offers more neck support, but it’s not necessary.
- The blanket should now look like a diamond or the Superman symbol.
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3
Place your baby on the blanket. Place your baby in the center of the blanket, with the top of the baby’s shoulders right at the folded top.^{[7]
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Expert Source

Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)
Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator
Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.}

Part 2

Part 2 of 2:

Swaddling The Baby

1
Make the first swaddle fold across the baby. Hold the baby’s left hand and place it at their hip. Allow the baby’s elbow to be slightly bent.^{[8]
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Research source} Take the left corner of the blanket, and bring it across the baby to their right side.
- Allow your baby’s right arm to be free once you bring the blanket across to their right side.
- Roll the baby to their left so you can tuck the blanket underneath their back.
2
Fold the bottom of the blanket. Grab the bottom corner of the swaddling blanket and bring it up toward the baby. The corner is going to be tucked behind the baby’s back, near their right shoulder.^{[9]
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Research source} Make sure that the baby’s right arm is held down at their hip, again with their elbow slightly bent.
- Don’t pull the bottom corner of the blanket too tight. You want the baby to have some mobility and freedom to kick their legs as they’re swaddled. However, you do want the blanket taut enough so when the baby does kick, they feel a little bit of resistance.^{[10]
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  Expert Source
  
  Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)
  Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator
  Expert Interview. 25 August 2020.}
3
Make the last swaddle fold across the baby. Hold the blanket in place by lightly placing your hand on the baby’s chest. Use your other hand to grab the folded piece of blanket approximately 5 inches (13 cm) away from your baby’s neck.^{[11]
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Research source} Bring this portion of the blanket over to the center of the baby’s chest to make a slight V-neck.^{[12]
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Research source} Hold this V in place with your thumb.
- Then pick up the last corner of the swaddling blanket (the right corner), and bring it across the baby and up to their left shoulder.^{[13]
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  Research source} Again, tuck the remaining blanket behind and underneath the baby’s back.
4
Tuck in the loose corner. With the last portion of the blanket wrapped around the baby, take the corner of the blanket, pull it horizontally across the baby’s back, and bring it over to the front of the baby’s right shoulder to tuck it into one of the blanket folds.^{[14]
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Expert Q&A

Question

Do I need to swaddle my baby's arms?

Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)
Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator
Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA) is a certified childbirth educator, birth doula, and founder of Birth Matters NYC. With over 10 years of experience, Lisa specializes in labor support, postpartum wellness, and education in the first few months of parenthood. She is a certified childbirth educator with both the Childbirth Education Association of Metropolitan New York (CEA/MNY) and Lamaze International. Lisa served on CEA/MNY’s board for 5 years and was named CEA’s Ellen Chuse Childbirth Educator of the Year in 2018. Lisa is also a DONA-certified labor support doula and a professional member of Evidence Based Birth.

Lisa Greaves Taylor, CCCE, LCCE, CD (DONA)

Certified Doula & Childbirth Educator

Expert Answer

Yes! Babies have a startle reflex, which causes them to jet out their arms while sleeping. Unless their arms are swaddled properly, this reflex will repeatedly wake them up.

Warnings

Always leave enough room near the neck area for the baby to breathe. It's better to have a looser swaddle near the neck than a tight swaddle.

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Remember to always keep 1 hand on your baby for safety.

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