WHY YOU SHOULD BE SWADDLING A BABY

Being a newborn photographer for over 11 years has proved that swaddling is so important in my sessions...now i know you are asking why does everyone assume you are suppose to swaddle a newborn baby? Well i am going to tell you why...

Swaddling a baby helps them feel safe and secure. After all, they are used to swimming around in the nice warm world of their mother’s womb and are new to this outside world business. Swaddling helps keep them warm until their internal thermostat kicks in and the baby’s body can regulate its own temperature.  Swaddling often helps babies sleep better since they feel secure and warm. I mean wouldnt you want to feel SAFE AND WARM! If only they had giant swaddle blankets for us adults...(haha)

Swaddling a baby can also prevent them from flailing their arms and legs, which can trigger their startle reflex. A baby’s startle reflex only lasts for the first few months of their life, but it can cause them to get upset and cry because they feel (like the name implies) startled.  If you have ever watched me in a newborn session my hands are permanently on the baby feeling their every move and also making them feel safe and secure with slight pressure they love this feeling and i get to feel when they are super relaxed to know when to move on in the shoot.

Swaddling a baby is best while they are still in the newborn phase, so from birth to around 2 months. It is best to stop at the first signs of baby trying to roll over, which usually happens when they are between 3 and 4 months old.So this is when i don't use swaddles to wrap them at all but just more as an accessory for the session.

It is true that not all babies like to be swaddled. Some babies absolutely hate it and will squirm their way free even in the newborn stage. That is okay. Babies, just like the rest of us, have their own likes and dislikes...so sometimes you do get that one little newborn that prefers to be all arms and legs... haha. Give swaddling a try a few times. Try swaddling them below their arms so that their arms stay out of the blanket. That gives them the warm wrapped up feeling of being swaddled but allows them some freedom of movement. But if your baby is not into it, then move on. There is nothing wrong with not swaddling your baby. 

A swaddled newborn baby is the cutest thing. That is probably why most of the photographers sessions introducing everyone’s newborns to the world are of their beautiful swaddled baby. Swaddling a baby is a good idea because it keeps them warm and makes them feel secure. As long as parents follow the safe sleep guidelines that all parents should follow regardless of whether or not their baby is swaddled, swaddling is a safe way to help baby sleep well.

I 100% believe in swaddling newborns and always start my sessions off with them swaddled. I always check that i can fit 2 or 3 fingers down the side of the swaddle so they are wrapped comfy and not too tight! 

I have some amazing suppliers who offer amazing soft and super stretchy swaddle and beanie sets that i can vouch for and are used in all my sessions.

LITTLE MIRACLE baby boutique - items are available to purchase in my studio, so while i work on your newborn you can do some "light" shopping.

ROSIE BEE - amazing supplier with her own online shop. She puts so much effort into all her designs and fabric.

There are so many different techniques in wrapping little ones...i vary my wrapping techniques as i need different styles for the photoshoot but if you would like to learn how to wrap your little one the most popular way for when you are at home here is a useful link to learning just that: How to swaddle your baby