Swaddling a Preemie Baby in the NICU

Parents of NICU babies have plenty to worry about, so we're answering their questions about swaddling in the NICU.

We asked Allyson Ward, a Neonatal Nurse Practitioner, to answer your pressing questions.

Is my baby big enough to be swaddled?

Premature babies require special consideration in their care because of their smaller size and developmental stage. Swaddling a preemie baby is no different.
Keep a few guidelines in mind when deciding whether to swaddle your preemie baby.

1. Your baby needs to be in an open crib. If they are still in an isolette or incubator, they are too small for a swaddle. They need to be large enough (1.8 kg) and medically stable, before swaddling is safe.
2. Your baby needs to be sleeping on their back. Some preemie babies need to sleep on their stomachs for improved oxygenation and other medical factors, but swaddling on their stomachs is not safe.
3. Your baby needs to be able to maintain their own temperature with a sleep sack and a hat. Consult your child's physician about this.

What should I look for in a preemie sleep sack?

Most NICUs don't have a set of criteria for baby swaddles they can or cannot use. That said, here are a few things to look for in a preemie swaddle.

1. Consider a swaddle that keeps their arms by their side. They may want to pull their monitors off during active sleep, but this can keep them from doing that.
2. Make sure the swaddle provides extra room at the hips. If it is too tight at the hips it can increase the chance of hip dysplasia.

If you are looking for a swaddle for your preemie baby, consider the Swaddelini Preemie Warrior Swaddle Sleep Sack. Designed for babies transitioning from the NICU, it could be the perfect swaddle for your preemie warrior.