Healthy Habits: Proper Swaddling

March 3-10 is National Sleep Awareness Week, created to celebrate the benefits of sleep.   No one will argue that we all need a good night's sleep! If you are the parent of a newborn, those days are temporarily on hold as you are more focused on your baby's sleep than your own.  So let's talk about making your baby's sleep as safe as possible.

	Many parents find that swaddling can provide comfort for fussy babies, reduce crying, and develop more settled sleep patterns. When babies are swaddled, care should be taken to swaddle properly so the baby is safe and healthy.   But there is a right way and wrong way to swaddle, and it's all about the hips.

	According to the nonprofit, International Hip Dysplasia Institute, there are many ways to swaddle babies by using blankets or commercial products designed for swaddling. In order for swaddling to allow healthy hip development, the legs should be able to bend up and out at the hips. This position allows for natural development of the hip joints. The baby’s legs should not be tightly wrapped straight down and pressed together. Swaddling infants with the hips and knees in an extended position may increase the risk of hip dysplasia and dislocation.

Check out this list of hip healthy swaddles from the International Hip Dysplasia Institute and we would be happy to arrange an interview with a pediatric orthopedist who can provide additional information on how parents can educate themselves on hip dysplasia.