The Great Surprise About Swaddling

The biggest myth parents have about wrapping is that it’s supposed to quiet their fussy baby. Wrong! Swaddling by itself doesn’t turn on the calming reflex.

This point often confuses inexperienced parents. In fact, many new moms and dads lose patience with bundling because initially it makes their babies scream louder (not less)!

So why is swaddling the first step of calming? Because it prepares your baby for the soothing steps you will do next that will trigger her calming reflex.

Think of it this way: What’s the first thing a mother does when her hungry toddler clamors for food? Set the table to serve the meal. Yet doing that often makes her scream louder, as if she’s yelling, “Hey, just dump the spaghetti on the table!” Of course, you know she needs utensils and a plate before she can enjoy her delicious meal, so you buzz through your preparations despite her protests.

In essence, swaddling “sets the table” for the feast of calming you’re about to serve. It’s the critical step of preparation before the actual shhhing and jiggling begin. So don’t worry if your baby struggles more right after you’ve wrapped her snugly. Once you begin “feeding” her the other 4 “S’s,” you’ll satisfy her needs completely.