Overnight, the Atmosphere in the Classrooms Changed - Swaddling for Babies

For four years, it has been common practice at one Texas day care to swaddle infants, burrito-style, for nap time. But in December, child-care providers there were told there were new licensing standards and that they needed to stop wrapping babies altogether. 

Day cares around the country have been quietly moving away from swaddling since 2011, when the National Resource Center on Child Health and Safety, in conjunction with the American Academy of Pediatrics and American Public Health Association, released its third edition of "Caring for Our Children," a set of safety guidelines for early care and education programs. 

According to those rules, swaddling can increase the odds of serious health outcomes, particularly if a baby is placed on his or her stomach to sleep, and can also increase the risk of hip problems.

Swaddling is an effective way to calm infants, especially in the newborn period, and is generally used in the first three months of life, however, that in a child-care setting, multiple people care for an infant and not all of them may be sufficiently trained in proper swaddling. 

If the infant kicks the blankets off, or the swaddling blankets are not applied correctly, loose bedcovers would be in the crib, which is against AAP policy.

Benefits of swaddle 

1. The babies fell asleep so quickly. It changed how much they slept, and how much better they slept.
2. Reduce crying in babies 
3. Fewer scratches.
4. Reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Risk of swaddling the baby : 

1. Swaddling may interfere with beginning breast-feeding
2. Swaddling may affect a newborn's healthy weight.
3. Swaddling may affect a baby's body heat. 
4. Swaddling may increase risk of hip dysplasia

How to Swaddle Your Baby

1. Spread a receiving blanket flat on the bed or other flat surface.
2. Fold one corner of the blanket over a few inches.
3. Lay the baby with her head on the corner of the blanket you just folded.
4. Wrap the left corner over his arm and body and tuck it under the other side of his body.
5. Take the bottom corner and bring it up over his feet.
6. Take the right corner and wrap it around his body and bring it around to the back.
7. Only the baby’s head and neck should be exposed when you are finished

A growing segment of the pediatric medical community sees swaddling as a crutch for parents, even though it might not be what’s best for the baby. And similar to driving around the block until baby falls asleep, once swaddling becomes part of the routine, it’s difficult to stop.

For information, read http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/03/swaddling-ban_n_2885662.html?ir=India