How do I swaddle my baby?

Swaddling is an age-old technique used by generations of parents. It can help make your baby feel secure and less likely to be disturbed by the little jerks he does in his sleep, known as his startle-reflex. Swaddling may also help your baby calm down if he's over-stimulated.

Swaddling creates a slight pressure around your baby's body, which may give him a sense of security. The sensation mirrors the pressure he once felt in your uterus (womb). It may help encourage your baby to sleep. But bear in mind that some babies don't enjoy the sensation of being swaddled. Your little one will soon let you know!

To swaddle your baby:

• Spread a cotton cot sheet or muslin out flat, with one corner at the top folded over to a depth of about 15cm.
• Lay your baby on his back on the sheet, with his neck resting against the fold of the sheet.
• Wrap the top-left-hand corner of the sheet across your baby's body and tuck it under his left arm.
• Pull the bottom left-hand corner up over his body, tucking it in over his left shoulder and arm.
• Take the right corner and wrap it around your baby's back, leaving only his head and neck exposed. You can roll your baby slightly to get the material around him.
• Allow enough room for your baby to move his hips and knees freely, so he can bend his hips up and outwards.

Make sure you don't swaddle your baby too tightly, as this may affect his later mobility and development. Always make sure he has plenty of room to move his legs up and down at the hips. If you swaddle him too tightly, with his legs pressed together and straight down, he's more likely to develop problems with his hips.

Don't cover your baby's face with the sheet and make sure he doesn't overheat. Use a thin blanket or a muslin for swaddling. Check his temperature often to make sure he's comfortable. The idea is to make him feel secure, not use it as a method of keeping him warm.

Some babies prefer to have their arms free. If your baby prefers this, simply follow the instructions for swaddling as above, but tuck each sheet corner under his armpit instead of over his shoulders.

How long you keep your baby in his swaddle is up to you, as long as his hips and legs have plenty of movement, and he seems happy and content. Some experts suggest removing the swaddle during breastfeeding, so your baby's hands are free to explore and touch. This is thought to be helpful with latching on.

You should stop swaddling your baby as soon as he starts rolling over onto his tummy during sleep. If he's swaddled, he may have difficulties breathing. As he gets older, he'll start to move around more during sleep and swaddling could make him uncomfortable and likely to wake up.

Look for your baby's cues for when it's time to stop, too. If he begins to kick off his swaddling day after day, it may be a sign he no longer appreciates being bundled so snugly!

For more swaddling tips, check out:

• our swaddling video
• our swaddling photo guide