logo photography by valentina - maternity and newborn photographer london

To Swaddle or Not to Swaddle? This is the Question.

Swaddling a baby might sound outdated to many parents.

Table of Contents hide
1 Swaddling a baby might sound outdated to many parents.
2 Swaddling babies helps them feel calm and sleep.
2.1 Why is swaddling so effective?
2.2 Is swaddling safe?

Swaddling is indeed an old practice of wrapping infants in blankets or similar cloths so that movement of the limbs is tightly but softly restricted.

According to studies and research, it seems that swaddling was invented in the Palaeolithic period. Swaddling was described in the Bible as a cloth tied together by bandage-like strips. After an infant was born, the umbilical cord was cut and tied, and then the baby was washed, rubbed with salt and oil, and wrapped with strips of cloth. These strips kept the newborn child warm and also ensured that the child’s limbs would grow straight.

During Tudor times, swaddling involved wrapping the new baby in linen bands from head to foot to ensure the baby would grow up without physical deformity. Babies would be swaddled like this until about 8 or 9 months!

In a conversation I had with my great aunt some time ago, she told me how most babies in her time were all wrapped up. So we are talking about 1940s, not the middle age!

We always see the Royal babies swaddled in their first TV appearance and it’s not a chance hospitals swaddle babies right after they are born.

Swaddling babies helps them feel calm and sleep.

The idea is that the wrap helps babies to feel snug and secure, just like how they felt in your womb.

As a newborn photographer, I use this practice a lot, especially at the start of the session or any time the baby is distressed or not comfortable. And I have lots of mums telling me “oh she doesn’t like to be wrapped” but you know what? It’s very rare that a baby doesn’t like it because the wrap is a kind of warm hug in which they feel very comforted.

I started quite a lot of wraps when babies were crying and halfway they all calmed down and felt more secure.

Why is swaddling so effective?

  • The first few months after a baby is born are known as the fourth trimester. So a transitional period between the womb and the “real” world. For 9 months a baby lives in a warm, secure and constrained environment. So it makes perfect sense for them to be softly wrapped. They will just feel like in the womb.
  • Baby will sleep longer because the swaddle prevents the natural startle reflex, also called Moro reflex. Babies are born with a fear of falling and the smallest noise or touch that causes a sudden change will trigger this reflex. The baby reacts by lifting and stretching their arms and sometimes walking up. A gentle wrap that contains the arms and hands will help greatly.
  • A wrap can also eliminate some anxiety in babies as the weight of the wrap imitates the feeling of mum’s touch. The baby thinks someone is there so he feels more secure and learns to self-soothe.
  • It can help to calm a colicky baby
  • It keeps baby’s hands off the face avoiding those annoying scratches

Related article: How to Soothe your Baby: a few little tips from your Newborn Photographer

Is swaddling safe?

Yes, it is but, of course, you have to be careful and follow some guidelines. You can read more about the do and don’ts of swaddling on the baby centre website. Just a few tips here.

  • Speak with your midwife and ask all the questions you have about it
  • Use a thin and soft material that is breathable. Cotton muslins are perfect for this.
  • Position the cloth in line with the shoulder and crisscross every side over baby’s chest. Do not cover the mouth, neck or head!
  • Be sure the baby does not overheat. Don’t swaddle them with thick blankets.
  • Always put your baby on his back
  • Wrap them firmly but not too tight.
baby wrapped with feet out during a newborn photography session

Just a little disclaimer. The photos you see in this post are from my newborn sessions. A photography wrap is different from the routine baby swaddle. Even if the principle is the same, keeping the baby calm and content, in newborn photography, the wrap has to be nice, tidy and pretty. We pose baby with legs bent or with fingers out. We also use different materials but the baby is never too long in that position or in that wrap. Safety is a priority in newborn photography and I always look out for clues if the baby is not happy.

Related article: The Importance of Baby Safety in Newborn Photography

So to summarise, I definitely suggest you give it a try and see if it makes your life a bit easier. Please make sure you do it safely and talk to the midwife with any doubts you have.

If you are interested in newborn photography feel free to get in touch at vale@photographybyvalentina.com. Are you on Instagram? Follow me and let’s get social.

Have a look at this video from the baby centre so you can see all the steps for a safe swaddle.

Posted in Newborn

Follow Me

Newborn sessions with siblings, especially toddlers, can be unpredictable.
Some days they are all in. Other days they aren’t. And that’s okay.

This big sister wasn’t very keen on being in the photos. So instead of forcing it, I gave her a different role.
She became my assistant.
She helped me photograph her baby brother and her parents.
Suddenly, she felt special. She was part of the process. And Mum still got the beautiful family photos she wanted.

I find that involving toddlers and giving them a job to do works magic.
It shifts their energy from resistance to collaboration.
Everyone feels seen. Everyone gets their moment.

This is what 15 years of experience looks like. Knowing when to adapt. Knowing how to make it work for every member of the family.

If you’re expecting a second baby and worried about how your toddler will handle a newborn session, don’t be.

We’ll find a way to include them that feels right for everyone.

Want to chat about your family’s newborn session?

Let’s talk about what this could look like for you. DM me.

#londonnewbornphotographer #newbornphotoshoot #newbornbaby #newbornphotos

44 3
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18539240875031147
Newborn sessions with siblings, especially toddlers, can be unpredictable. Some days they are all in. Other days they aren’t. And that’s okay. This big sister wasn’t very keen on being in the photos. So instead of forcing it, I gave her a different role. She became my assistant. She helped me photograph her baby brother and her parents. Suddenly, she felt special. She was part of the process. And Mum still got the beautiful family photos she wanted. I find that involving toddlers and giving them a job to do works magic. It shifts their energy from resistance to collaboration. Everyone feels seen. Everyone gets their moment. This is what 15 years of experience looks like. Knowing when to adapt. Knowing how to make it work for every member of the family. If you’re expecting a second baby and worried about how your toddler will handle a newborn session, don’t be. We’ll find a way to include them that feels right for everyone. Want to chat about your family’s newborn session? Let’s talk about what this could look like for you. DM me. #londonnewbornphotographer #newbornphotoshoot #newbornbaby #newbornphotos

Through motherhood, we go through job titles quicker than in an entire career

I personally went from
Mamma → Mummy → Mum → Vale…
and now I’m just Bruh or Buddy. 🙈

They grow up fast and one day they won’t even want to be in the photo!

So let’s make the most of these Mummy years!

What’s the funniest name your kids have called you? Come on let’s have a laugh in the comments

#motherhood #mumhumour #mumlifebelike #parentlife #londonmums #photographybyvalentina

30 23
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18389815675134263
Through motherhood, we go through job titles quicker than in an entire career I personally went from Mamma → Mummy → Mum → Vale… and now I’m just Bruh or Buddy. 🙈 They grow up fast and one day they won’t even want to be in the photo! So let’s make the most of these Mummy years! What’s the funniest name your kids have called you? Come on let’s have a laugh in the comments #motherhood #mumhumour #mumlifebelike #parentlife #londonmums #photographybyvalentina

This is what happens when you book a newborn session with me.

You come to my studio. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you’re wondering if this is worth it. Maybe all of the above!

You arrive, I welcome you in, offer you tea, and we slow down.
I guide you gently through everything, so you can just be present with your baby.

I capture the tiny details. The yawns. The way your family looks at this new little person. The love that’s already there.

And then picture this! A few weeks later, something arrives at your door.

Not just digital files. Not just photos on a screen.

But a beautiful album, designed for you, ready to hold and show your child one day.

That’s the difference between a photo session and what I create.

It’s not just about capturing moments. It’s about preserving them in a way that lasts.

Your newborn days are fleeting.
But this? This stays forever.

Ready to create your family’s heirloom?

#londonnewbornphotographer #londonmums #newbornshoot #newbornphotographertwickenham

76 11
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18240608740290338
This is what happens when you book a newborn session with me. You come to my studio. Maybe you’re tired. Maybe you’re overwhelmed. Maybe you’re wondering if this is worth it. Maybe all of the above! You arrive, I welcome you in, offer you tea, and we slow down. I guide you gently through everything, so you can just be present with your baby. I capture the tiny details. The yawns. The way your family looks at this new little person. The love that’s already there. And then picture this! A few weeks later, something arrives at your door. Not just digital files. Not just photos on a screen. But a beautiful album, designed for you, ready to hold and show your child one day. That’s the difference between a photo session and what I create. It’s not just about capturing moments. It’s about preserving them in a way that lasts. Your newborn days are fleeting. But this? This stays forever. Ready to create your family’s heirloom? #londonnewbornphotographer #londonmums #newbornshoot #newbornphotographertwickenham

Today is World Mental Health Day, and I want to say this gently: you don’t have to have it all together to be worthy of care, love, or rest.

Motherhood, creativity, business. They all carry invisible weights sometimes.
It’s okay to set them down for a moment.
It’s okay to just be.

There’s real courage in that stillness.

PS. If this resonates, you might find comfort in my book Milk Tales. A collection of stories about the emotional side of motherhood, and the courage it takes to be honest about how we really feel.
If you need a soft space today, it’s waiting for you on Amazon.

27 4
Open post by by_valentina with ID 18008290475804903
Today is World Mental Health Day, and I want to say this gently: you don’t have to have it all together to be worthy of care, love, or rest. Motherhood, creativity, business. They all carry invisible weights sometimes. It’s okay to set them down for a moment. It’s okay to just be. There’s real courage in that stillness. PS. If this resonates, you might find comfort in my book Milk Tales. A collection of stories about the emotional side of motherhood, and the courage it takes to be honest about how we really feel. If you need a soft space today, it’s waiting for you on Amazon.
facebook icon
pinterest logo

VALE@PHOTOGRAPHYBYVALENTINA.COM

07577 978246

LONDON NEWBORN & MATERNITY PHOTOGRAPHER

BASED NEAR RICHMOND - TWICKENHAM