Sammy Says Blog

Swaddling your baby is important to keeping him warm during the cold winter months. But warmth isn’t the only good reason to swaddle your bundle of joy. A Washington University study found that infants sleep better when swaddled, wake fewer time and get twice as much REM sleep.Swaddling is also believed to reduce the incidence of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. Swaddled babies sleep on their backs and are less likely to get into the unsafe tummy-sleeping position. Evidence shows that infants who sleep on their backs are less likely to succumb to SIDS.

Babies wrapped in swaddle blankets are less likely to become over-stimulated and are able to self-soothe when the hands are swaddled near the face.

Keeping your little one clean is important. A dirty face, nose or ears can cause the build up of bacteria, causing infections and illness. A few simple steps can be followed to wash your baby’s eyes, ears and nose.

1. Dip a clean, soft baby washcloth or cotton ball into warm water and squeeze it to remove any excess water. Avoid using soap because a baby’s skin is sensitive and can be easily damaged by harsh chemicals.
2. Distract the baby with soft singing or humming while you are cleaning them.
3. Use the cloth or a cotton ball to clean the corners of your baby’s eyes, wiping gently from the inside corner to the outside edge of each eye.
4. Use a soft, damp washcloth or nose cleaner to remove the mucus from around your baby’s nose, wiping each nostril gently.
5. Use a washcloth to wipe the outer parts of your baby’s ears, but not inside. Wipe away dirt and debris from behind each ear.