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Washington
University in St. Louis – School of Medicine:
A major focus of this research is development of strategies and
public health interventions that may result in prevention of Sudden
Infant Death Syndrome and related causes of infant deaths.
Project #2: The practice of placing infants on their backs
for sleep has greatly reduced the incidence of SIDS in the past 6
years. However, many parents (Ca 30%) still place infants on their
stomachs for sleep since, in this position, [many babies] seem to
sleep sounder with fewer awakenings. Swaddling (tight wrapping)
infants for sleep has been used for centuries in conjunction with back
sleeping. Swaddling soothes infants and likely reduces spontaneous
arousals from sleep in back sleeping infants. Swaddling of infants,
aged 1 to 8 months, has been largely abandoned in the U.S. … Our
recent research has shown that if a swaddling technique is employed
that does not restrict breathing or leg movements the health concerns
are largely eliminated and babies can sleep more soundly on their
backs. We envision that a revival of the practice of swaddling, using
this new technique, could increase the acceptance of back sleeping and
thereby further reduce SIDS death in the U.S. and abroad.
To see full study,
click here. |
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TeachMoreLoveMore.org:
Swaddled Infants Sleep Better, Safer
Published: Friday, December 06, 2002
Publication: Health Scout News
By: Ross Grant
Lightweight wrapping helps them wake up less frequently, cuts SIDS risk,
study says "Babies who sleep in swaddling cloths wake up less
frequently and get twice as much REM sleep during a nap as those sleeping
with normal blankets, says new research. Moreover, swaddling babies
appears to help them stay on their backs when they sleep, reducing the
risk of sudden infant death syndrome, according to the study in the
December issue of Pediatrics."
"Now we have scientific evidence to support the age-old belief that
swaddled infants sleep better than unswaddled infants," says Gerard, who
is also a doctor at the St. Louis Children's Hospital.
To see full report,
click here.
BabyCenter.com
Deborah Lin-Dyken, MD:
Swaddling is an age-old technique for keeping an infant warm and secure.
Swaddling creates a slight pressure around your baby's body that gives
most newborns a sense of security. A newborn may even sleep better when
swaddled because he's less likely to jerk awake when he startles. Some
babies, though, don't enjoy being swaddled.
To see full article,
click here.
BabyCenter.com
How can I reduce my baby's risk of SIDS?
You can do a number of things to decrease your baby's risk, but at present
there's no guaranteed way to prevent SIDS. Here are the most important
steps to take:
Put your baby to sleep on her back:
This is the single most important thing you can do to help protect your
baby. The "Back to Sleep" public awareness campaign estimates that this
technique has saved thousands of lives since the campaign began in 1994.
When your baby is a newborn, you can keep her happily positioned on her
back by swaddling her snugly with her hands up near her mouth so she can
comfort herself. As she gets older, she'll start to move around a bit at
night, so you won't want to wrap her. By the time she's 5 or 6 months old,
she'll be able to roll over in both directions, making it more difficult
for you to keep her on her back at night. Try not to worry. At that age
her risk for SIDS will start to drop, so just do your best to get her
settled on her back or propped on her side, and don't fuss if she rolls
over.
To see full article,
click here.
TheLouisvilleChannel.com
Study: Swaddled Babies Sleep More Soundly
Sleeping On Back Reduces SIDS Risk
POSTED: 9:32 a.m. EST December 2, 2002
Swaddling an infant may sound like something from Biblical times, but
researchers say the method helps infants sleep better and keeps them on
their backs -- which reduces the risk of sudden infant death syndrome.
SIDS deaths have decreased nearly 50 percent since the American Academy
of Pediatrics recommended in 1992 that babies be placed on their backs to
sleep, according to the article. But when infants reach 2 months of age,
about 20 percent of parents in the United States place their babies on
their stomachs to sleep because they say they appear more comfortable or
to sleep better.
"That's also the time when babies have enough strength and are big
enough that they can escape from the typical 'burrito' wrap style of
swaddling," said Dr. Claudia Gerard, a clinical instructor in
pediatrics and lead researcher in the study. "But in other cultures where
swaddling is practiced, it's common to continue swaddling babies until
they are much older."
Swaddling is practiced almost universally in newborn hospital
nurseries, and various traditional swaddling techniques are practiced in
Turkey, Afghanistan and Albania, according to Dr. Bradley Thach, a
professor of pediatrics.
The researchers found that the duration of REM sleep was nearly doubled
in babies who were swaddled than in those who were not.
To see full article,
click here.
David Geller, M.D.
Question: Should I swaddle my baby?
David S. Geller, M.D.: Many newborns enjoy being swaddled, or
wrapped tightly in a warm blanket, because it reminds them of being in the
womb. Often it helps to calm and comfort them. If your baby squirms and
cries when she is being swaddled, it [may mean] she’d rather have her arms
and legs free. Try wrapping her more loosely in the blanket and see if she
likes that better. Also, be aware that a baby who previously enjoyed being
swaddled may no longer want to be confined in that way as she gets older.
Caution: Don’t wrap your baby so tightly that it interferes with her
breathing, and make sure not to cover her face with the blanket.
David S Geller, M.D. - Biography:
David S. Geller, M.D., originally from Maine, completed his undergraduate
work at Brandeis University. After attending the Boston University School
of Medicine, he stayed in Boston to complete his residency training at
Massachusetts General Hospital in 1996.
Since completing his training, he has been working at a pediatric group
practice in Lexington, Massachusetts. His practice offers a full range of
pediatric care, including newborn, well, and adolescent care. He is on
staff at a number of Boston hospitals, including Children’s Hospital and
Massachusetts General Hospital. He also teaches medical students at
Harvard Medical School. Dr. Geller is board certified and is a fellow of
the American Academy of Pediatrics. In addition to his personal inters in
athletics, Dr. Geller also has an interest in sports medicine. He lives
with his wife, Jennifer, and their young daughter Hannah.
BabyCenter.com
What does it mean to swaddle a baby?
Swaddling is the art of snugly wrapping your baby in a blanket for warmth
and security. It can also keep him from being disturbed by his own startle
reflex, and it may even help him stay warm and toasty for the first few
days of life until his internal thermostat kicks in. Most important, it's
a method that can help a baby get calmer.
Nowadays, you probably won't leave the hospital without a little lesson
in this technique. Try it, after you've made sure your baby isn't hungry,
wet, or tired. It can be used to help settle your baby down when he's over
stimulated or when he just needs to feel something close to the tightness
and security of the womb.
To see full article,
click here.
Laura K. Knosp, RN
For many years, it was believed that infants did not feel pain. Drugs
were not given for painful procedures including some types of surgery. It
is now well known that babies do indeed experience pain, especially those
born prematurely.
Drugs are usually given for severe pain, but not for simple procedures.
This is where comfort measures such as touch can be used.
Touch includes, stroking, holding, rocking, caressing, massaging,
cuddling, and swaddling (wrapping baby in blanket). Firm but
gentle touch can be applied to your baby to provide comfort and a sense of
security.
Touch is the first sense to develop in babies and research shows it can
actually help to heal. Babies need touch to grow and thrive, you as a
parent can play a very important part of your child's recovery and
response to pain.
To see full article,
click here.
BabyWorld.com
15th October 2002
SWADDLING BABIES MAY REDUCE COT DEATH (SIDS) RISKS
Swaddling babies may reduce the risk of cot death, according to a new
study.
Research in the US has shown that babies who are swaddled, or wrapped
tightly in cloth before being put down to sleep, are more likely to sleep
on their backs - a position that is known to reduce the incidence of cot
death. Swaddling was used almost universally before the 18th century.
The research, … found that the younger the babies were, the more
quickly they went to sleep once swaddled. Their breathing rate increased
slightly, but they did not experience any reduction in oxygen levels - and
they could still flex their hip joints. If the swaddle material was thin
they did not become overheated, said researchers.
Swaddling during the first year of life is still common in Eastern
Europe, the Middle East, South America and Asia, and in cultures that
practice swaddling, where babies normally sleep on their backs, there is a
lower incidence of cot death or sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).
To see full article,
click here.
BabyWorld.com
3rd December 2002
SWADDLING COULD AID SLEEP
The traditional technique of swaddling babies could help improve their
sleep and may even reduce the risk of cot death, researchers claim.
The findings are published in the journal Pediatrics and show that
babies who were swaddled appeared to sleep better. Even when they woke up,
the fact that they were wrapped in swaddling helped to keep them on their
backs and prevent them from moving into a more dangerous sleeping
position.
To see full article,
click here.
Health World
Colic
© Janet Zand L.Ac., O.M.D.
(Excerpted from Smart Medicine for a Healthier Child)
Colic has been defined as a long period of vigorous crying that
persists despite all efforts at consolation. The term itself comes from
the Greek word for the large intestine, reflecting the belief that the
source of the discomfort is a digestive problem.
Most babies go through periods when they seem to be abnormally fussy or
to cry for no apparent reason. Colic is most common during the first three
to four months of an infant's life. It can begin within the first three
weeks after birth, and usually stops around the age of three months. It is
rarely experienced by a baby older than six months.
Suggestions to help colicky babies:
Some babies prefer the security of being closely swaddled in a blanket;
some prefer loose coverings that permit free movement. Experiment to find
what suits your child best.
To see full article,
click here.
KidsHealth.org
Swaddling is another soothing technique first-time parents should
learn. Swaddling keeps your baby's arms close to his body and his legs
securely bound. Not only does this keep your baby warm, but the
surrounding pressure seems to give most newborns a sense of security and
comfort. Here's how to swaddle a baby.
To see full article,
click here.
