Dressing
Dressing Tips
Dressing and undressing your newborn can be challenging at first. After your baby grows older and can roll and crawl, you will discover a new set of challenges. Use these tips as you learn to dress your baby:
Pull clothing over the head starting with the back( crown). Stretch the shirt opening so the fabric does not rub across baby’ s face. When undressing, do the reverse.
How to Swaddle
Swaddling calms newborns and mimics the feeling of the womb. Specially designed blankets with Velcro or snaps make swaddling very simple. If using a regular blanket, follow these steps:
1
Lay the blanket flat and fold down the top corner. Place baby face up in the center with their arms at their sides.
Wrap one side of the
2 blanket around them
Preview
and tuck under their side.
3
Bring the bottom of the blanket up over your baby’ s feet and tuck it behind their shoulder. Allow hips and legs to move freely.
Newborns tend to keep their limbs pulled in.
For sleeves and pant legs, reach in from the outside and gently pull their limbs through. If your baby pulls away, it is not because they are fighting you. Go slowly and be gentle. Support your baby’ s head, neck and back while dressing or undressing. If your baby becomes extremely upset, stop and provide comfort, then resume dressing when your baby is calmer.
Wrap the last corner
4 across baby and tuck snugly( but not too tight) into blanket fold.
38 Caring for Your Newborn