3rd December 2002
SWADDLING COULD AID SLEEP
The traditional technique of swaddling babies could help improve their sleep and may even reduce the risk of cot death, researchers claim.
American researchers from the Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis carried out a small study into the benefits of swaddling. A group of infants aged between three and six months took part and were either wrapped in specially designed cotton spandex swaddle, or not swaddled, during daytime naps in a special sleep laboratory.
As they slept, the researchers monitored their sleep by checking their breathing patterns, eye movements and brain waves. They also recorded the number of sighs, startles and instances when they woke up. Any infants who woke were encouraged to go back to sleep.
The findings are published in the journal Pediatrics and show that babies who were swaddled appeared to sleep better. Even when they woke up, the fact that they were wrapped in swaddling helped to keep them on their backs and prevent them from moving into a more dangerous sleeping position.
A spokesperson for the Foundation for the Study of Infant Deaths admitted it's possible that swaddling could be of benefit for reducing the risk of cot death, especially as sleeping on the back is the best position. However, they stressed that it's crucial to use a very lightweight material and to never cover the head.
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