Swaddling for better sleep
If you are struggling to get your newborn to sleep, you aren’t alone! Many parents come to me asking how they can get more sleep when a new baby enters the family. With some simple adjustments, you can improve your baby’s sleep. See how you can help!
Let’s talk about swaddling and why it is so important during the early months of your baby’s life! All babies are born with several normal newborn reflexes. Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex, is one of these primitive reflex responses intended to keep a baby safe. Have you noticed your baby suddenly startle while sleeping before? This is the Moro reflex at work! The baby will experience a sensation of free-falling, where the baby reacts by lifting and stretching their arms. It often ends in the baby crying and/or waking.
We can EASILY prevent your baby from startling by swaddling them for sleep!
Over the years I have had many parents tell me, ‘My baby doesn’t like their swaddle’ or ‘They fought it so much I stopped doing it because they were always getting out’. There are lots of reasons why parents stop swaddling early. But education is power when it comes to little ones!
Here are some swaddling facts:
Babies generally don’t grow out of their startle until around 4-6 months
Swaddling helps simulate the security they felt in the womb (they squirm and move the same way they did in your belly; they just have the freedom to break out now)
Swaddling helps to reduce overall crying and helps to calm babies’ nervous system
Swaddling can help to extend sleep both overnight and for naps
Babies with Colic, reflux, and other painful conditions are the ones who benefit from swaddling the most. They also generally will be the ones who take the longest to grow out of their startle!
Some babies are less likely to startle and will grow out of this reflex quickly
Babies should be swaddled firmly around their chest/arms and loosely from the waist down to protect their hip position (think froggy legs, not straight down)
A baby who can roll easily from back to belly shouldn’t be swaddled
There are so many swaddling options out there. My personal favourite is always the classic muslin wrap! So, keep wrapping your little baby burritos for the best sleep possible!
A Beautiful Review
Being a Night Nanny is such a wonderful privilege. Spending the first months supporting families through those early sleepless night is a priceless gift many parents dream of! This testimonial was written after completing three months with this family as a Night Nanny supporting newborn baby twins!
I recently received the most beautiful review from a family I had been supporting as a Night Nanny. This gorgeous family had brand new twin boys and needed someone to help them overnight while they adjusted to life as a family of four
5 nights a week, over the period of three months, I built such a special bond with both parents and babies. One that I will always cherish and hold dear to me. To spend these early months in someone's home is a true privilege and something I still have to pinch myself that I am lucky enough to call my career!
When hiring a Night Nanny, you aren't just getting the sleep that you need. But you are also getting someone to help you establish healthy sleep habits for your baby! You will get on-hand support and advice from me on everything baby related to help you really enjoy those early months with your new little one/s!
To say I love my job is an understatement! Supporting families is what I was born to do ❤
Do you know someone who needs the support of a Night Nanny? Share or reach out today to see how I can help your family thrive! 🌿
“Sarah is phenomenal and I cannot recommend her highly enough. From the moment she stepped into our home and took one of our twin boys into her arms, we knew that we and our boys were in very good hands. Sarah joined our family when our twins were 2 weeks old and worked with us for 3 months as a night nurse.
As a new mum, I was naturally nervous and was just hopeful that Sarah could help me overnight with the boys so that I could get some rest to tackle the days on my own. But we got so much more. Not only did Sarah look after the boys overnight (feeding, settling etc), she provided us with so much advice and guidance around everything to do with the boys including their routines, feeding, developmental issues, and literally ANYTHING to do with parenting. Her knowledge of all things baby and children is exceptional.
Sarah was so kind, gentle, caring, and nurturing both towards us and the boys and even though we only had her assist us for 3 months, she feels like a member of our family and someone we will forever cherish.
Sarah is a real professional, was a delight to have in our home, and built a fantastic bond with us and our boys. Sarah clearly loves her job and is passionate about caring for babies and children. She is loving and caring and having Sarah made life so much easier at what can be an overwhelming time. We miss her every day. It was truly a pleasure to have her look after our boys at the start of their lives. We are lucky to have met Sarah and believe that any family would be lucky to have her.”
Amity, Ipswich