(HealthDay News) -- Swaddling baby snugly in a blanket can help provide a feeling of security, but parents should make sure they're swaddling properly.
The American Academy of Pediatrics advises:
- Making sure baby's hips aren't swaddled too tight, which can lead to hip problems. Baby's legs should be able to bend both out and up.
- Start swaddling with the blanket spread flat, folding down one corner. Place baby on the back in the middle of the blanket, placing the head above the folded corner.
- With baby's left arm straight, take the left corner of the blanket and wrap it across baby's body, tucking it around the body beneath the right arm. Then place baby's right arm against the body, and wrap the right side of the blanket across the body, tucking underneath the left side of the body.
- Loosely fold the end of the blanket beneath baby's body.
- Make sure you can fit at least two fingers between the baby's chest and the blanket to make sure it's not too tight.
