Anti-Swaddling Advice Could Trigger Illness or Have Deadly Consequences

Newborn care experts are calling arms-free swaddling and anti-swaddling advice misleading and irresponsible at best, and potentially harmful or even deadly at worst.  The messages are patently false, lacking evidence, data and clinical studies while going directly against decades of clinical research*.

“To advise parents to use an arms-free swaddle or no swaddle at all based on unsubstantiated fears is downright absurd,” says Raleigh, North Carolina-based Pamela Diamond, a certified postpartum doula and baby sleep consultant.  “Without this vital tool that is clinically proven to comfort a crying, screaming newborn and keep an infant safely asleep on its back, parents could possibly be setting up a trigger for illness or even deadly consequences.”

Apparently Dr. Harvey Karp concurs. An eminent expert on the subject of newborn sleep and whose work spans nearly four decades, Dr. Karp has long advocated swaddling as part of the Five S’s.   On his website The Happiest Baby on the Block, Karp writes that swaddling is essential to public health because infant crying and the exhaustion it causes in parents are main triggers for postpartum depression, SIDS, child abuse such as Shaken Baby Syndrome, breastfeeding failure, maternal smoking, marital stress, car accidents, and over-diagnosis and treatment of babies for illness, among others.

Though some published reports claim otherwise, the American Academy of Pediatrics has advocated swaddling many times and has also written about the benefits of swaddling on numerous occasions.

Nowhere is the anti-swaddling trend more directly evident than in North Carolina.  As part of the implementation of the Infant Safe Sleep Campaign the NC Healthy Start Foundation says the long held tradition of swaddling could lead to suffocation due to loose bedding.  While loose bedding is no doubt a serious problem, it is altogether a separate issue from swaddling safety.

“Considering the millions of people that have been swaddling newborns every night and every day, if such a theory were correct, there would be literally thousands of such reported incidents over the years, and there simply aren’t,” says Michael Gatten, CEO and Founder of Miracle Industries, LLC, makers of a leading swaddling product, Miracle Blanket. “We are extremely concerned about parents being incorrectly educated regarding sleep positions that have not been clinically studied.”

As an example of the misinformation, the term “swaddling” is being exploited and illegitimately applied to various non-swaddling items to validate the use of clinical studies to promote sales. While most of these products do serve the purpose of eliminating loose bedding, they lack the very discernible scientifically-proven attributes that make swaddling safe and effective.

Arms-free swaddling or no swaddle at all, it’s pretty much the same.  In both cases, experts say the efficacy and the benefits are gone.  Therefore it’s crucial to separate the MYTHS from the FACTS.

MYTH: A wearable blanket or other zip-up sack is just as good as a swaddling blanket to help babies sleep.

FACT: Medical research showing the incredible efficacy of PROPER swaddling has been done using a snugly-wrapped blanket with arms comfortably immobilized; usually at the sides. Wearable blankets are not snug to apply pressure and do not keep the arms snugly inside.

MYTH: Babies need their hands free to self-soothe, develop motor skills, and to flail their arms if they are in distress.

FACT: Babies are not coordinated enough to practice motor skills and/or self-soothe (ie. suck hands) reliably until 14 weeks.  Swaddling is a substitute during this time to limit startle reflex, thus preventing unwanted arousal and facial scratches.

MYTH: Wearable blankets and other zip-up sacks help babies sleep better.

FACT: Only PROPER swaddling has been shown in clinical studies to calm a fussy, colicky baby while helping baby sleep safer, better, deeper and longer on their backs, while also eliminating loose bedding.

MYTH: Wearable blankets and other zip-up sacks contribute to a decrease in the risk of SIDS.

FACT: Only PROPER swaddling has been shown in clinical studies* to reduce SIDS by as much as 30% even over back-sleeping babies without swaddling.

MYTH: Tight swaddling can interfere with lung expansion, contributing to the risk of suffocation.

FACT: Research on PROPER swaddling has shown that a tight swaddle does not inhibit oxygen absorption or respiration. And, no incident of suffocation due to overly tight swaddling has ever been reported.

#  #  #

*Ponsonby, A, et al, Factors potentiating the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome associated with the Prone Position. NEJM 1993; 329:377-82 http://content.nejm.org/cgi/content/full/329/6/377

Contact: Susan Calloway

ON CUE MEDIA

(214) 675-0539

Susan@OnCueMedia.com

OTHER RESOURCES & CONTACTS: www.SwaddlingTruth.com

You may think that with the arrival of your new baby, sleep is a thing of the past; but with a few simple steps, both you and baby can have restful nights and happy days. While it may seem like your little one never wants to sleep, he actually requires a large amount of sleep right from birth; newborns (birth to four weeks old) need 16-18 hours of sleep a day! Though it seems like a lot of sleep, it comes in small portions of 1-3 hours throughout the day and night. This time of sleep will allow the baby to develop, taking in what they have learned during the day. Quality sleep begins with properly reading baby’s cues, swaddling, and creating a calm, quiet environment.

You may have heard “sleep begets sleep”, it is true and so important to remember. The more sleep your baby gets, the easier it is for your baby to sleep and sleep well. This is why it is important to listen to your baby. After one to two hours of wakefulness your baby will become drowsy and you will notice signs of tiredness, called sleepy cues,

• Yawning
• Turning head from objects or people
• Burying face in chest
• Involuntary movements with arms and legs
• Weak or slower sucking
• Less coordination.
• Loss of interest in toys
• Arching back

If you miss your baby’s sleepy cues they will become overtired. When babies are overtired, their body gives them a second wind, and it will be even more difficult for them to fall asleep and stay asleep. Signs of being overtired are fussing, rubbing eyes, and irritability.

When your baby first shows signs of tiredness, it is time to settle him down to sleep. Settle him down by swaddling. Swaddling is the key to a well-rested baby helping him to sleep longer and more comfortably. Babies are born with startle reflex, known as the Moro Reflex. This reflex is visible until 3-4 months of age when babies learn to control their limbs. Swaddling your newborn will soften these movements and give them security, helping them to wind down and fall asleep on their own. Swaddling also supports self-soothing, important for now and in the future as your baby grows.

A calm environment will further help settle your baby to sleep. Calming your baby starts by turning the noise level down and dimming the lights. This will help him wind down to sleep. Pacifiers also offer comfort, as babies are born with a strong desire to suck and will even root around when becoming tired. In addition, the rhythmic sound of a white noise machine will relax him. This sound, once heard in the womb, was his daily comfort.

With these small and simple steps your baby will be able to sleep soundly creating a happy baby.

Mommy Care

Caring for a baby is your absolute priority, but caring for yourself is just as important. After months of carrying your baby, you will need time to recover. Be sure you are taking care of yourself and getting some real sleep. Rest as much as possible; try to take one nap a day even if it is only for a half hour. If you don’t feel you can sleep take some time to rest with a book or magazine.

Practical tips for the busy mother:

• Eat well! If eating a full meal is not possible, snack frequently throughout the day on healthy snacks and high protein foods.
• Work on getting yourself into a good routine. Take a little time each morning and prepare yourself for the day.
• Don’t keep your feelings of tiredness and being overwhelmed to yourself. It takes support from family and friends during these times. Tell your family and friends of needs. If it is meals or reassurance, then tell them so.

• Make time with your spouse and be patient allowing him to adjust to fatherhood.
• Allow help to help. The babies will be alright without you for a bit. Taking care of yourself is best for everyone.
• Use your voicemail. Leave a brief recording on how your family is doing and tell them you will call them back when you have a moment. Also, know it is ok to turn the ringer off.
• Do little bits of house work each day. Pick up 10 minutes at a time. Make a list and mark off even the little things. You will be amazed at the feeling of accomplishment as you scratch things off that list.
• Hire cleaning help even if it’s only for once a month.
• Get out, whether it is for 5 minutes or 50. But don’t push yourself. In time you will have more energy.

Remember a new baby is a big change and it will take time for your family to adjust. These are good changes and should be enjoyed. It’s a time to give your love and your time to someone who needs you. Enjoy the diaper squirts, frequent hiccups, and content smiles!

Published in Washington, DC Expectant Mother’s Guide August 2010

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“My husband, Rory, went back to work on Monday after two weeks of paternity leave. I offered to handle all of Emmett’s nighttime feedings so Rory wouldn’t be in total zombie mode in the office. But now I’m a wreck!…Emmett woke up every two hours! Since each feeding takes almost and hour, that meant I was only sleeping in one-hour intervals. So I stayed in bed ’til almost noon—but only got about six hours of sleep, total! During the day (when I didn’t feel like sleeping) he went back to his every-four-hours schedule. Not helpful!”

Kim asks is it too early to worry about sleep training? I highly recommend encouraging a good routine as soon as possible. She has to realize Emmett is in need of direction. It seems likely that he is not sleeping enough in the day or is needing to more often than every four hours. The typical 2 week old is able to eat every two and half hours to three hours (unless there is a feeding challenge). The feeding should last about 30 to 45 minutes (breast or bottle). He then is ready to be swaddled and settled to bed. The goal is for him to sleep until his next feeding time, two and half to three hours from the start of his last feeding. This is giving him direction on what is best for him. By continuing in the direction you are lovingly providing his needs teaching him good sleep habits!

Few tips:
-Don’t be afraid to use a pacifier.
-It’s okay to use bottles. You need your rest now.
-Nurse ONLY for 45 min. Longer you are a pacifier and will become sore.
-Do as little as possible at night. I would say that unless your baby has lost more then 10% of their birth weight allow him to sleep for two 4 hours chunks (feeding in between of course).
- He may be restless and wanting held because is eating/suckling too much. Feed for 30-45min and then swaddle up until the next three hours so he can get the rest he needs.
-He should not need to feed any earlier unless he has dropped weight. Without the rest in between your baby will be tired and not nurse and you will be more stressed without the rest.

Few tidbits of info. Need more personalized assistance contact me. Meredith@babiease.com

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Foods that babies may have a hard time digesting:

Cow’s milk, soy, peanuts, wheat, corn, chocolate,  dark sodas, cabbage, broccoli, citrus.

(There should be little concern for spicy foods.  Mother’s all over the world eat food with various spices, hot to very hot.  The rule tends to be that if you ate spicy food while your pregnant you should be fine to eat it breastfeeding.)

If you suspect a food sensitivity you’ll find your baby fussy after feedings,  restless, and unsettled.  You may also find your baby my react though a rash, eczema, congestion, cold symptoms.  Consult your Pediatrician if you are ever concerned for your baby.

Mom if you suspect food sensitivity start keeping track of your diet with a food journal.  You can also keep an eye on it writing notes down on your baby’s feeding chart.

Check out KellyMom for more information on food sensitivities and the breastfed baby.

Feeding solids ahead?  You need Super Baby Food!