What is Swaddling? And how to do it in 7 easy steps!

What is Swaddling? And how to do it in 7 easy steps!

Swaddling is an ancient tradition of wrapping
baby securely in her blanket. This can help her feel safe
and secure as she begins to adjust to all of the new
experiences around her and especially her new environment.

Why Swaddle?

First and foremost as your baby’s caregiver
you want her to feel safe and secure. However, there are
also many other reasons why you might try swaddling her. You
might try swaddling your baby if she is having trouble
sleeping and becomes easily startled. Or if you believe that
her own muscle movements may wake her. Also if your baby
seems uncomfortable for no obvious reason swaddling may be a
good idea. And sometimes babies don’t like to feel their
arms and legs freely moving, and would really enjoy the nice
snug feeling of being hugged by their blanket.

Some tips about Swaddling to Remember:

Swaddling is typically only effective for the first few weeks after
birth. After your baby reaches about one month old, swaddling can
restrict your baby’s motor development. In an especially warm room do
not swaddle your baby as overheating has been shown as a
SIDS risk factor. Swaddling should be snug and secure, not
loosely wrapped. You want your baby to feel cuddle by her
blanket. And of course, if your baby doesn’t enjoy being
swaddled, that is absolutely okay. All babies are unique and
special.

It is important to take the cues from your baby on
what she likes best.

How-to Swaddle your baby in 7 easy
steps:

1.

Lay your baby’s blanket on a flat surface.

2.

Then fold one corner of the blanket.

3.

Next, place your baby in the middle of the fold with her
head just above the edge of the blanket.

4.

Take the right corner of your blanket and gently wrap over
baby’s arm and tuck securely into the opposite side.

5.

Then take the bottom and fold upward to cover baby’s feet
and legs.

6.

Take the left corner of blanket and gently wrap over baby’s
arm, tucking it around the opposite side as far under baby’s
back as it will go.

7.

Keeping your little bundle snugly wrapped, pick her up and
give a little kiss and hug. Also: If your baby wiggles her
arms out of your nice snug swaddle while she sleeps. You may
find that your baby does not enjoy having her arms confined.
If this is the case, try keeping her arms outside of the
blanket when you wrap her.

About the Author:

Tina Allen is an infant and children’s massage therapy. Her
innovative approach to children’s health has allowed her the
unique opportunity to educate families and professionals
throughout the world in the many benefits of nurturing
touch. Visit her website for more information
www.liddlekidz.com or contact tina@liddlekidz.com

COLIC: your questions answered

COLIC: your questions answered
By Tina Allen, LMT,CPMMT,CPMT, CIMT

What is Colic?
Websters Dictionary defines Colic as: Paroxysms of pain. This condition usually occurs in the abdominal region but may occur in other body regions as well.

(Paroxysms - . A sudden uncontrollable attack; "a paroxysm of giggling"; "a fit of coughing".)

But really that doesn’t answer your question. In terms of babies, we know that colic causes babies to cry and cry, much more than other babies who are not suffering from colic.

What are signs of Colic?
When babies with colic cry, they may draw their arms and legs in tight toward their bodies and appear to be in pain. Or other times they stretch out their arms and legs and stiffen, then draw up tight again. You may notice that baby’s face turns bright red from excessive crying.
Babies are diagnosed with colic when their crying lasts for more than three hours a day. You may find that colicky babies get fussier toward the end of the day, but colic can happen at any time.

A baby with colic may cry for long periods or may cry almost all of the time. And you may have already noticed that when your baby cries, they may swallow air. This swallowing is likely to give your baby uncomfortable gas.

Having an extra amount of gas in your baby’s tummy will make it look swollen and feel tight, which can of course make your baby more uncomfortable.

What Causes Colic?
This has long been a question without a definite answer. Still no one is quite sure what actually causes colic. Babies with colic are healthy, so it does not appear to be caused by a medical problem. And colic is not caused by the way a baby is cared for. Without a doubt it is not any fault of the parent.

A milk allergy was once considered to be a possible cause, but now doctors believe that this is rarely the case, as breastfed babies can get colic too. Many believe that colic is caused by excessive gas in the tummy which is the result of baby swallowing too much air while crying.

How long will Colic last?
Colic usually starts when baby is three to six weeks old. And will typically go away when they are around three months old. If your baby still appears to show signs of colic after three months of age, they may be experiencing a reflux disorder and you may wish to visit your baby’s physician for guidance.

How can I help soothe my colicky baby?
There is no one treatment which has been proven to make colic go away, but there are some simple things you can try to soothe your colicky baby. For example many babies calm when they are gently rocked, bounced or held closely to their parent’s body. By being held close, your baby may feel more warm and secure, and your body movements may help to calm. Try also swaddling. Being swaddled for many babies helps them to organize.

You may also try singing or humming a calming tune to your little one. This soothing sound may also calm you too!

And without a doubt, try massaging your baby’s tummy. In some cases, gently massaging baby’s tummy has helped to move uncomfortable gasses out of the intestinal tract relieving tightness and discomfort. Massage should be given to baby in a clockwise circular motion using your full soft hand. This massage specifically pinpoints the digestive tract and should help to ease your baby’s pain by helping them to pass painful gas.

How to cope when your baby has colic?
If your baby has colic, surely your family life has been turned upside down. You may find it extremely stressful and upsetting when your baby is crying for hours and cannot be easily comforted. Of course like many parents, you may feel guilty even though you are not the cause of your little one’s colic. No one wants to see their baby in pain.

Caring for a baby with colic can be extremely frustrating, so be sure to take care of yourself, too.

Don't blame yourself or your baby for the constant crying — colic is nobody's fault. Try to relax, and remember that your baby will eventually outgrow this phase. It is absolutely okay if you need a break. It may be necessary for you to call on friends or family as reinforcement.

If you're unsure whether your baby's crying is colic or a symptom of another illness, call your doctor.

About the Author:

Tina Allen is an international parent educator and expert in
the field of infant and children’s massage therapy. Her
innovative approach to children’s health has allowed her the
unique opportunity to educate families and professionals
throughout the world in the many benefits of nurturing
touch. Visit her website for more information
www.liddlekidz.com or contact tina@liddlekidz.com

How Can I Help my Baby Stop Crying?

How Can I Help my Baby Stop Crying?
By Tina Allen, LMT, CPMMT, CPMT, CIMT

Do you ever wonder what makes a baby cry?

As crying is one of the few ways babies have of
communicating their needs to us, they cry about almost
anything. They have a special cry when they are hungry, feel
pain, have anxiety and are over stimulated. Even when they
have gas, are exhausted, scared or frustrated, babies fuss
and cry. It must be frustrating and stressful when they are
doing their best to communicate to us and we don’t
understand.

Stressful not just for babies but also for parents, who by
nature want to respond with action. But, how can we respond
appropriately?

To begin, feed your baby on demand, yes on demand.
When you’re hungry, how do you feel? Would eating change your mood?
Then feed your baby when they are hungry. Feeding on demand does not
create spoiled children. Of course don’t automatically assume that your
baby’s cries indicate that he is hungry. Just give the baby
your breast and see what happens.

If he still cries, check his diaper and if that’s not it,
then try some of the following:

Speak Gently: Try speaking softly and gently or
even better, try singing. Your baby knows your voice very
well and will recognize the tone and respond to it. Even if
you are a little off tune, baby won’t mind. Research has
shown that babies like the sounds of female voices but that
does not mean dad can’t give this a try too!

Relaxing Strokes: Sometimes babies cry because they just
want to be comforted. Maybe they’ve woken up abruptly or
something frightened them. A nurturing stroke can make a world
of difference. Try holding baby and gently stroking his back.

Make a Move: That’s right, try moving around. Babies love
motion as it reminds them of being in utero. But what kind
of movement? You might try walking, rocking, jiggling or
swaying.

Swaddling: If you are not sure how to swaddle, ask
your pediatrician, a nurse or experienced mother how to
swaddle the baby. For many infants, being wrapped tightly in
a blanket makes them feel safe and secure.

“Shushing” Sounds: Many babies are soothed by white noise.
Some things to try: a humidifier, fan, vacuum and clothes dryer.
It is important to be sure the “shushing” sounds are as loud as
your baby’s crying. Fresh Air: Try going outdoors. For many
babies just being outside in the fresh air can soothe. Maybe
it’s the sounds of the birds, the wind or the sun, whatever
it is, many babies will calm by being outdoors. Maybe this
will even calm you, too.

Have a Break: For moms, if you’ve been trying and trying to
soothe your baby to no avail, give dad, your partner, grandma
or even a trusted friend a try. They may have their own unique
way of helping baby to calm and quiet.

About the Author:

Tina Allen is an international parent educator and expert in
the field of infant and children’s massage therapy. Her
innovative approach to children’s health has allowed her the
unique opportunity to educate families and professionals
throughout the world in the many benefits of nurturing
touch. Visit her website for more information
www.liddlekidz.com or contact tina@liddlekidz.com