How many swaddles do I need? What about receiving blankets? These two items — are they interchangeable? Oh, how I wish there was a 24-hour parenting helpline for all things involving brand-new infants.
You weren’t expected to simply know the answers to these and other motherhood-related questions, in case you were curious.
This post is being written in order to clarify everything, which is why we decided to write it in the first place.
What Is A Swaddle?
Swaddles are thin blankets that are used to wrap up newborns like tiny, adorable burritos.
With their arms close to their bodies, very young babies are kept wrapped up in swaddles. This simulates the warmth of being back inside the womb, which lowers the likelihood that they’ll wake up due to their startle reflex.
Swaddle blankets are typically made of loosely woven cloth, which allows for better airflow for the baby.
Although this strategy has been employed for centuries, it is less common in modern society. The use of loose fabric when swaddling a baby is discouraged because it increases the risk of hip dysplasia and raises the possibility that the fabric will touch the baby’s face.
As an alternative, many parents opt for wearable swaddles that use Velcro, zippers, or snaps. These are advised as a safer and more practical way to swaddle. It’s what we did with our daughter, and I can attest that it’s much simpler than trying to wrap a crying baby like a burrito!
The Different Types Of Swaddles
Basically, there are two types of baby swaddles that you can purchase: traditional swaddling blankets and swaddle sacks.
Traditional Swaddles
Swaddle blankets have been used for centuries in traditional ways.
They are essentially just a really big, thin blanket or square of fabric, frequently muslin, that is big enough for you to wrap your baby in.
These kinds of thin, lightweight baby wraps are incredibly adaptable because you can also use them as a thin blanket to cover your baby in the stroller, a burp cloth to clean up spit-up, and a spit-up wipe.
Getting a few of these muslin cloths is a wise investment due to their adaptability, regardless of whether you decide to use a traditional swaddle or a swaddle sack (or skip swaddling altogether).
Despite not choosing to swaddle the baby in a traditional burrito fashion, we had a ton of muslin blankets around the house, and they were always useful!
If you’re unsure of how many muslin blankets you need, we had three “cute” ones with appealing prints (the ones from Aden + Ani are stunning!), and about a dozen basic white ones. Although it might seem like overkill, this number worked really well for us, so I don’t think it was.
Swaddle Sleep Sacks
The contemporary replacement for traditional swaddle blankets is a sack-style swaddle.
They eliminate the need to perfect the art of perfectly encasing your infant in a tiny burrito, and they also have some great safety benefits.
Swaddle blankets with features like snaps, zippers, and Velcro are known as “swaddle sacks.” When your baby is fussy, this makes it even simpler to swaddle them. Additionally, it enables you to modify the sack to fit the baby’s comfort level and size.
I definitely prefer the zip-up style because they are less noisy than velcro during diaper changes in the middle of the night and simpler to use when a baby is fussy than snaps.
Additionally, swaddle sacks are made with babies’ safety in mind, so you can relax.
With a swaddle sack, you won’t need to be concerned about the fabric coming undone and covering your baby’s face with loose material. Similarly, you don’t need to worry about swaddling baby too tightly, which can cause hip dysplasia.
We strongly advise swaddle sacks because we only used them until our daughter was about three months old.
If you’re wondering how many swaddles you need for these sack designs, we initially purchased three different brands and styles to determine which one our daughter preferred. We then purchased a few additional items from our top picks after deciding on the brands that worked best for us.
Why Should You Swaddle A Newborn?
One of the first milestones that every new parent will reach is swaddling their child.
Because it mimics the closeness they were so accustomed to in the womb, learning how to wrap a snugly swaddle your newborn will calm and soothe them.
In addition, newborn infants have a reflex known as the Moro reflex, also known as the startle reflex.
They will fling their heads back and spread their arms and feet simultaneously when startled (it’s so adorably baby-like and adorable, too).
How Long Can I Swaddle My Child?
But it’s crucial to keep in mind that once a baby can roll over by themselves, swaddling is no longer appropriate. This typically occurs after three to four months. From this point on, it is risky, so you must stop swaddling your child to protect them from harm.
When purchasing swaddles as sacks, this may change how you think. Upon reaching this age, a baby is no longer usable.
However, classic swaddle blankets are a remarkably adaptable baby item. We probably used our muslin blankets for two years!
How Long Does It Take For A Baby To Get Used To Being Swaddle-free?
Learning to nap without the swaddle usually involves a short adjustment period.
There are no strict guidelines here, but it usually takes babies a week or two to adjust.
(If you require to hear this immediately: you will sleep again. Here are some tips on getting into a sleep schedule, if you need them)
What Number Of Swaddles Are Required?
I would advise starting out with at least 3 to 6 swaddle sacks as well as 6 to 12 muslin blankets. There is no set quota of swaddles that parents must have. However, this seems like a manageable amount that is neither excessive nor going to require you to do laundry every day.
Finding your purpose for using them will help you decide how to proceed. I’ve discovered that more swaddles are generally better. Having extras in your baby’s wardrobe only makes the laundry load slightly less difficult.
What Ought My Infant To Be Wearing Underneath Their Swaddle?
What infants should wear underneath their swaddle is completely up to you.
A soft, light wrap works well for newborns to help them fall asleep. If it’s not too hot outside, you can also dress your baby in a onesie with short sleeves. Your baby might need to wear a long-sleeved onesie made of a warmer material underneath the swaddle during colder months.
It’s crucial that parents dress their infants for sleep. Overheating and SIDS have been linked by researchers. In order to keep your baby cooler rather than hotter, err on the side of fewer layers.
Can You Swaddle All Babies?
Swaddling a newborn usually keeps them calm and promotes longer periods of sleep. Swaddling is generally safe. Certain exceptions do exist, though. Swaddling your baby could make their hip dysplasia or other hip problems worse. If in doubt, never hesitate to call your child’s pediatrician.
Also, keep in mind that each baby is unique. The swaddle’s firm yet supple wrap may not be comfortable for everyone. While their arms are free, some people might prefer to have their torsos swaddled.
Are Swaddles And Receiving Blankets Interchangeable Terms?
The level of technology is the main distinction between a receiving blanket and a swaddle.
Swaddles (also known as swaddling sacks or pouches) frequently have a variety of features, such as straps, pockets, snaps, and velcro attachments, whereas a receiving blanket is really just a simple blanket.
Either one is suitable for swaddling.
Each has advantages of its own.
Due to their many uses, receiving blankets are useful to have around.
They might find a new purpose after their time as swaddling blankets, such as serving as a burp cloth.
But with swaddles, everything is just so much simpler.
Each fastener makes it simple, quick, and snug to secure your baby.
You’ll discover your rhythm. You might discover that a receiving blanket works for naps and a swaddle is useful at bedtime. There isn’t just one right way to approach this.
What number of receiving blankets is required for a newborn? How about swaddling? Let’s look.
Conclusion
How many swaddles do I need? was a topic that we hope you found useful.’ useful to help you prepare for your baby.
Just buy as many swaddles as you believe you’ll require. You definitely don’t want to be left without enough swaddle sacks in the middle of the night. However, infants should only use swaddle sacks for a short period of time. However, it’s difficult to have too many traditional swaddle blankets because of all the different ways they can be used.
