Swaddling is a method where babies are wrapped in a blanket that mimics the position and comfort that infants feel while in the mother’s womb. Most recent studies show that swaddled infants may have improved sleep since swaddling has been shown to decrease the startling response. Swaddled infants are able to sleep longer through the night.

In US hospitals it is common practice to swaddle newborn babies into bundles of joy; however, American mothers are not routinely taught to continue this practice when both go home. American physicians do not customarily recommend such a practice outside of the hospital. Physicians warn that swaddling with heavy blankets may increase the likelihood of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) because of overheating.

In other cultures such as Australia, India and Asia, infants are commonly swaddled until 4 months of age and the incidence of SIDS in these countries is almost none existence.

A Definition of SIDS

Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is a disease of unknown cause. SIDS still accounts for most infant deaths in the United States. Its peak incidence is between 2 and 4 months of life. SIDS is defined as the sudden death of an infant less than 1 year of age, which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.

The following are independent risk factors for SIDS:

Prone (stomach) sleeping position
Sleeping on a soft surface
Maternal smoking during pregnancy
Overheating
Late or no prenatal care
Young maternal age
Prematurely/and or low birth rate
Male

The implementation of the Back to Sleep policy since 1992, by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), has significantly reduced SIDS. In other countries where prone sleeping is rare, the rate of SIDS has been historically low. The AAP policy from 2000 made recommendations to further reduce the incidence of SIDS by other strategies. The swaddling of infants during the peak age for SIDS (2-4 months) affects the two following independent risk factors: sleeping on soft surfaces and overheating.

Removing Soft Surfaces

Swaddle infants in a Muslin wrap (translucent, lightweight and breathable cotton). The infants can be placed on their backs or on their sides with no loose bedding to cover them or pillows, quilts or comforters beneath them (all of which have been associated as risk factors for SIDS). Particularly in Arizona, where the temperature is already warm, there is no need for pillows, blankets and comforters. However, a light blanket at night still provides the infant with comfort during the cool evenings.

Preventing Overheating

Swaddling with a lightweight blanket can also decrease the incidence of SIDS. Overheating, particularly in infants sleeping in the prone position, has an increase risk for SIDS. There seems to be an association with higher rates of SIDS recorded in the winter months. This seasonal association suggests an interaction among environmental factors. There is a theory that the increase infant temperature has a relationship with the ability of the infant to initiate a breathing response. Therefore a lightweight blanket swaddling an infant would not contribute to overheating.

Knowing the Facts

Swaddling your newborn baby until four months using a lightweight blanket may indeed prevent sudden infant death syndrome by promoting infants to sleep on their side or back as well as improving quality and comfort of their sleep.

Parents can help by:

Understanding the definition of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) and know who is at risk.
Know the independent risk factors associated with SIDS
Consider swaddling infants in lightweight blankets to reduce these two independent risk factors which increase SIDS: sleeping on soft surfaces and overheating.

Article provided by: Solana Babywear (lightweight swaddling blankets).

Author:
Emily Zaragoza Lao, M.D. Medical Director
Director of Faculty Development and Research
Family Medicine Department
St. Joseph’s Hospital and Medical Center, Phoenix, Arizona

NOTE: The article above titled "Does Swaddling My Newborn Baby Help Prevent Sudden Infant Death Syndrome?" was provided by a visitor to "The New Parents Guide" and is the opinion of its author. "The New Parents Guide" does not guarantee the information to be factual. Always use the guidance of your child's doctor over information you read on this site or elsewhere; your doctor knows what is best for your baby.