The Happiest Baby on the Block and The Happiest Toddler on the Block 2-Book Bundle pdfdrive com

years old. I remember my mother teaching me how to
swaddle her snugly in a warm blanket. That year,
mothering and bundling began for me, and they have
continued, without interruption, into my sixtieth
year!
When my grandchildren began to arrive, I faithfully
taught my kids to wrap their babies very tightly in
receiving blankets. My passion for swaddling often
led to some good-humored discussion: “Watch out for
Bubby and her bundling!” Yet somehow it always
seemed to help.

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The babies in our family, although beautiful,
talented, and brilliant, share a fussy, high-
maintenance profile, if only for the first two or three
months. But swaddling has always been a big help. I
can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen it change
their faces from a scowl to serenity.
Barbara, “Bubby” of Olivia, Thomas, Michael, Molly, and
Sawyer
2. Side/Stomach: Your Baby’s Feel-Good Position
Swaddling stops your baby’s uncontrolled arm and leg
acrobatics that can lead into frenzied crying. In a similar
fashion, the side/stomach position stops an equally upsetting
but invisible type of stimulation—the panicky feeling of falling!
Being dropped was such a serious threat to our ancient
relatives that their babies developed a special alarm—the Moro
reflex—that went off the moment they felt they were falling out
of their mother’s arms.
Most babies are content to be on their backs if they’re in a
good mood. However, when your baby is crying, putting him
on his back may make him feel like he’s in a free fall. That in
turn can set off his Moro, which starts him thrashing and
screaming.
The side or stomach positions soothe your screaming
newborn by instantly shutting off the Moro. That’s why these
are the perfect feel-good positions for fussy babies. When it
comes to putting your small one to sleep, however, the back is
the safest position for all babies. Unless your doctor instructs
you otherwise, no baby should ever be put to sleep on his stomach.
(More on this in
Chapter 9
.)