
Swaddling is an age-old practice of wrapping infants in blankets or similar cloth so that movement of the limbs is tightly restricted. Swaddling bands were often used to further restrict the infant. Swaddling fell out of favor in the seventeenth century.
Some authors are of the opinion that swaddling is becoming popular again, although the medical and psychological effects of swaddling are in dispute. Some modern medical studies indicate that swaddling assists babies to sleep, and to remain asleep; and that supine sleep lowers the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).[1] However, one recent study indicated that swaddling increased the risk of SIDS.[2] Additionally emerging evidence is showing certain swaddling techniques may increase the risk of developmental dysplasia of the hip.[3]