The process involves gradually ceasing the practice of wrapping an infant tightly in a blanket or cloth for sleep. This technique, often used to promote calmness and security, eventually needs to be discontinued as the child develops and begins to require more freedom of movement. A common scenario involves slowly freeing one arm at a time over several nights to acclimate the infant to reduced restriction.
This developmental shift is crucial for several reasons, including allowing for natural motor skill development, enabling the infant to self-soothe more effectively with hand movements, and mitigating potential risks associated with continued swaddling once the child is capable of rolling over. Historically, swaddling has been practiced across cultures, but current pediatric recommendations emphasize a timely and safe cessation to promote healthy development.
