You many have noticed that after babies are born their legs still tend to stay folded–knees bent and hips flexed. They were accustomed to being in this position in the tight quarters of the uterus. Research has also found that this position is important for proper alignment of the femur (thigh bone) and hip joint. Studies have shown that if a newborn’s legs are kept straight, as can happen with improper swaddling, the femur to hip relationship can be disrupted leading to hip dysplasia – an abnormal formation of the hip joint in which the ball on the top of the thighbone (femur) is not held firmly in the socket. This was a common problem in the Navajo Indian culture prior to the 1950’s when babies were swaddled with legs straight and carried on their mother’s backs.
Babies enjoy being swaddled, it can help calm and quiet them, but it must be done properly with free movement of the hips and legs. If you choose to use pre-made swaddling blankets, make sure that you can leave the hip and leg area loose to allow the legs to move up and out at the hips.
If you are not using pre-made blankets, here is the simple diamond swaddling technique. It works great and saves money:
Lay a square blanket flat in a diamond shape.
Fold the top corner down.
Lay baby in middle, with head above the flat line formed by the corner you folded down.
Take the right side of the diamond, straighten the right arm, take the blanket over the arm and baby.
Tuck this between the baby and the left arm.
Take the bottom part of triangle and lay in center of baby, tuck to right loosely.
Now take the left edge of blanket, straighten left arm and wrap it over baby and tuck around.
Again make sure baby’s legs can move up and out at the hips.