Table of contents:
- What is the purpose of the baby being swaddled?
- Does the baby have to be swaddled to feel warm?
- Is it true that you have to carry a baby so that his legs grow straight?
- Are there any dangers or risks to carrying a baby?
- Then, what are the tips for safe baby swaddling?
- 1. Choose the right type of fabric
- 2. Do not tie the cloth too tightly
- 3. No need to carry the baby all day long
If you follow tradition, it is said that newborns should be swaddled. However, the more you come here, the more mothers have given up that belief. Actually, do babies have to be swaddled? Does swaddling really have any benefits for your little one's growth? Check out the explanations for the questions about baby swaddling below.
What is the purpose of the baby being swaddled?
Actually, carrying babies is a hereditary tradition that has existed since ancient times. The purpose of carrying the baby itself also varies.
Some people believe that when the baby is swaddled, the baby will feel warm. That way, babies don't get sick easily from cold.
There are also those who believe that the purpose of the baby being swaddled is to improve the shape of the baby's feet. Babies whose feet are often wrapped in cloth are expected to grow straight and not bend with age.
Various perceptions and traditions such as carrying a baby are deeply rooted and growing in the minds of the people, especially in Indonesia. But, is it true that babies have to be swaddled? If it is not swaddled, will the baby's legs bend when he grows up?
Does the baby have to be swaddled to feel warm?
This question may or may always come to the mind of every new mother who has a child. This is because the tradition of carrying babies is so strong that we sometimes forget that not all traditions are true.
Scientifically, swaddling a baby has no special benefit other than just keeping the baby warm. It should be noted that baby swaddling is also not mandatory.
You can keep the baby's body warm in other ways, for example adjusting the room temperature so that it is not too cold and wearing clothes with comfortable materials for your little one.
Is it true that you have to carry a baby so that his legs grow straight?
This is not true, swaddling will not have any effect on the shape of the baby's feet.
When a new baby is born, the baby's feet must be bent because they have followed the position when they were still in the womb.
Naturally, baby's legs will grow straight with age. This process takes place gradually until the baby is approximately 3 years old.
So, even without the need to be swept or straightened, the baby's legs will continue to grow normally and straighten on their own in time.
If you still want to swaddle your baby, this is fine. However, keep in mind that the purpose of carrying a baby is not to straighten the legs, but only to keep the baby's body warm.
Are there any dangers or risks to carrying a baby?
After knowing whether or not your baby should be swaddled, you may want to keep swaddling your little one so that they always feel warm and comfortable. However, there are some things that must be considered when wrapping the baby's body in cloth.
You must remember that the baby's body is still in its infancy and development. So, if stretching is done by pulling the legs and tying them, it can actually interfere with the baby's growth and development.
If your baby's feet are pulled and tied too tightly, they can actually hinder the development of the joints in the feet. Furthermore, it is possible that the nerves around the baby's feet will have problems.
Then, what are the tips for safe baby swaddling?
If you wish to swaddle your baby, do so in a safe and risk-free way. Here are some tips that you can use when carrying a baby.
1. Choose the right type of fabric
The first thing you should pay attention to is the selection of the fabric for the swaddle. Make sure you choose a fabric with a material that is comfortable and soft for the baby.
Apart from being thick and warm, the cloth for swaddling should not be made of harsh materials so that the baby's skin is protected from irritation.
2. Do not tie the cloth too tightly
One more thing that is no less important, is to avoid tying the swaddling cloth too tightly to the baby. The baby's feet and hands should not be pulled or stretched forcibly when wrapped with the cloth.
You also need to make sure the baby can move comfortably and freely while being swaddled.
3. No need to carry the baby all day long
You don't need to hold the baby all day long. Babies are simply swaddled as needed, for example when it is cold and the baby is sleeping.
That way, your little one can still move freely and their growth and development is not disturbed.
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