Baby Swaddle
Third trimester’s feelings
The third trimester brings with it mixed emotions for the mother. On one hand, she feels more and more exhausted, especially if the third trimester happens to be in the warm months of summer. As weeks
pass, the mother will keep growing, especially during the last few weeks of her pregnancy. All this will make the mother want to give birth, meet her newborn and start looking forward to go back to the shape she had before the pregnancy. Yet, on the other hand, the mother would have built such a strong bond with the baby inside her, feeling those strong kicks and turns, that would make her miss being pregnant once the baby is born. It is a hard period for the mother, having to experience a lot of mixed emotions, a turbulence in her hormones and to add to that, dealing with a new lifestyle when the baby is born. This being said it is very important that the mother finds all the support and help needed from her partner.
Couples should prepare themselves well before their baby is born
Couples who are expecting a baby are invited to a six week course in Malta, held at Mater Dei, the main government-owned hospital. This course is held by professional and highly experienced midwives. Surely, without any doubt, this is a very valuable course, which apart from being free, it gives the couple a very good insight to what they can expect during delivery and also how to handle the baby once born. Unfortunately, there are a few that might think that attending such course is a waste of time. Once the baby is born, things start happening so fast, so it very important for the parents to be prepared and knowledgeable about the basic thing, especially if it’s your first born. In addition to this course, the Association of Midwives in Malta also offer a related course to grandparents. One might say ‘They raised their own kids, why do they need a course when becoming grandparents’? This is a very common question, yet it natural for them to ask. As we all know, times change and things change too. What was acceptable in the upbringing of kids twenty years ago, might be challenged and one would not accept it nowadays. This includes basic things, for example do not give your baby dairy milk before they are six months old. Bottom line, it’s a mentality, being willing to learn new concepts and facts about how to deal with a baby in today’s world.
“Hey, my contractions are happening very often now!” or “oh, my water just broke!” are some of the few phrases that would make the fathers shiver and panic. With a blink of an eye, the couple find themselves at hospital, possibly in the delivery room. Every delivery is unique in its experience. The most crucial moment is when the baby is born and waiting to find out that both the baby and the mother are doing fine. Once that is over, it’s a huge relief and then the new life begins. I do urge the couples to enjoy every moment, as time flies by so quickly. Babies grow really fast and before you know it, they are walking, running, talking, playing on their own and telling you what they want. Yes, this will sometimes be stressful, and yes, not everything is covered in the course mentioned above. Just keep one thing in mind, if life is stressful, it is your job and those around you, to make it better and more cheerful. Don’t ever blame the baby for that, as they only bring joy to your lives.
Swaddling helps in calming your newborn
The biggest struggle for the baby, is the separation from their mum. They are used to hear the rhythm of their mum’s heartbeat. They miss the constant swaddling, with the exception of night time. Ah yes,
forgot to mention this! For babies, your night time is their day time. During pregnancy, their swaddle would stop when the mother used to go to sleep. That time is play time for them, as they are wide awake! But, how can the baby know this? They are used to this as that’s all they know. What can the mother do to help this? A good swaddle helps soothe your baby while giving you some time for yourself as well. Baby wraps help keep the baby snug, safe and comfortable. Not only are they wonderful for the baby, but baby wraps benefit the parents as well, and how! The most important benefit is its convenience. It keeps our hands free to do other work while the baby wrapped around you.
Paediatric specialists also vouch for the efficacy and convenience provided by a baby wrap or a wrap carrier. Carrying your baby in this manner promotes bonding between the parents and the child. They are each able to read other’s cues more effectively. Babies feel happier and there is less crying or colic. As a result, these infant wrap carriers can sometimes help babies to breastfeed better.
If you’ve never had a newborn, the idea of wrapping your baby up so tightly that they can’t move their arms might sound like a crazy idea. But most experienced parents will tell you that their newborn is comforted when wrapped in a swaddle—they cry less and sleep more even when they are in their blanket.
Do you need swaddles?
If you’re new to the notion of swaddling, the concept is quite simple. A swaddle blanket can be a specially designed blanket, but you can use any lightweight fabric once you learn how to wrap it. The key is to make it tight enough that your baby can’t wriggle out. This accomplishes several things.
First, it keeps your baby’s arms tight to their sides, which prevents the startle reflex from waking them. Second, it mimics the feeling of being snuggled tightly in the womb, which helps your newborn feel comforted and calm. And finally, it keeps your baby warm without any dangerously loose blankets, which can be a suffocation hazard.
When do you need swaddles?
Generally, swaddling is safe for all babies. The average age when babies stop being swaddled is around 3 or 4 months or when they are able to roll over. Also, if your baby has hip dysplasia or other hip issues, then swaddling can aggravate that, so check with your paediatrician.
How we chose our best picks
We have done extensive research on which brand to offer our mothers. We have found Hanababy Wraps to be the best, giving high value for money.
