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<span class="sub-title">
Age old technique provides security for
newborns</span><br />
by Victoria Pericon
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<p>
After leaving the comfort of their
mother&rsquo;s womb, newborns can have an unsettling first few weeks.  It
is something of a shock for the little one to be out of the familiar
environment of the womb, and becoming accustomed to his new
surroundings can be a difficult transition.
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<p>
Many parents, seeking ways to ease the
transition from the womb to the world at large, adopt the practice of
swaddling their babies.  Swaddling, an ancient technique for giving
newborns a sense of security, is a helpful aid to assist babies
adjust to their new environment. &ldquo;Swaddling is a wonderful way to
ease new babies into the world,&rdquo; says Heather Allard, president of
2Virtues.com, mother of two and inventor of the Swaddleaze blanket,
&ldquo;it keeps them warm and safe and lulls them to sleep.&rdquo;
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<p>
Laurie LeComer, author of &ldquo;A Parent&rsquo;s
Guide to Developmental Delays: Recognizing and Coping With Missed
Milestones in Speech, Movement, Learning and Other Areas&rdquo; (Perigee
Trade; January 2006), agrees that swaddling adds to a baby&rsquo;s sense
of security.  &ldquo;It also reduces the baby&rsquo;s tendency to startle,
and this makes for a calmer baby&mdash;which helps the baby to feed,&rdquo;
says LeComer.
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<p>
According to Ari Brown, M.D.,
pediatrician and author of &ldquo;Baby 411: Clear Answers and Smart
Advice for Your Baby&rsquo;s First Year&rdquo; (2nd Edition 2006), babies are
born with an undeveloped neurological system where the brain and
nerve &ldquo;superhighway&rdquo; develops over the first two years of life. 
As a result, anything that replicates their experience in the womb
comforts them.  Swaddling creates a slight pressure around the baby&rsquo;s
body that gives him a sense of security because it imitates the
pressure he would have felt in utero.
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<p>
While swaddling can always be counted
on to put some babies to sleep, for others, it is uncomfortable and
they do not enjoy it.  Dr. Brown cautions that babies should no
longer be swaddled beyond their first month as it can impede their
mobility and development. &ldquo;When your baby begins to kick off the
covers, it&rsquo;s a sign he no longer appreciates being bundled snugly.&rdquo;
</p>
<p>
A few precautions must be taken before
swaddling a baby.  Be careful not to cover her face or wrap her too
tightly, which may cut off her circulation.  Do not overheat the
infant by swaddling her in a room that is too warm, as that is one of
the risk factors for SIDS.  Remember, the goal is not to keep the
newborn warm, it is to make her feel safe and secure.  It&rsquo;s also
important to make sure your infant is not wet or hungry before you
swaddle her.
</p>
<p>
Dr. Brown refers to his particular
swaddling technique as the &ldquo;baby burrito&rdquo; wrap: (1) place the
newborn diagonally on a receiving blanket, with one corner folded
into a line (2)fold the corner at the bottom onto the baby&rsquo;s belly
(3) wrap each side around the baby&rsquo;s body and then tucked under the
body. &ldquo;Make sure the arms are inside,&rdquo; says Dr. Brown, &ldquo;otherwise
the baby will worm his way out quickly.&rdquo;
</p>
<p>
<strong>
This article was written by Victoria Pericon.<br />
If you wish to use this article in any manner, you must <a href="index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=51&amp;Itemid=165">request permission</a>.</strong>
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