New nurses’ guidelines point to serious risks of baby swaddling

A new set of guidelines from the Registered Nurses' Association of Ontario has blown open the debate on the common practice of swaddling an infant.

If you haven't heard of infant swaddling, it's a practice that involves tightly wrapping a baby in a blanket in a way that prevents movement of their arms and legs.

Proponents of the practice suggest it's a great way to calm a baby down, as it mimics the restrictions of the womb. Other noted benefits include longer and deeper sleep and less crying.

However, the nurses' guidelines are urging parents and caregivers to exercise caution when swaddling, suggesting it could increase a baby's risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), hip dysplasia and overheating, reports The Globe and Mail.

“There is currently no evidence on the ‘safe way’ to swaddle an infant, and hence caution regarding swaddling should be expressed with parents/caregivers,” the guidelines say.

At this point, a number of reputable health organizations are moving away from recommending the practice of swaddling to caregivers as there is more evidence to suggest the potential health harms.

“I believe that the data does suggest that [swaddling] increases risk,” Dr. Gideon Koren of the Toronto Hospital for Sick Children tells The Globe and Mail. “I have a problem with not allowing the kids to be the way nature wants them to be. Nature did not intend people to tie their legs for many hours.”

The Globe also points to institutions such as Perinatal Services B.C., American Academy of Pediatrics and the American Public Health Association who have all cautioned caregivers about the practice. Most hospitals no longer practice swaddling because of the risks.

That said, there is a lack of conclusive evidence to provide clear guidance on whether swaddling is dangerous or not.

One study from 2009, published in British Medical Journal, showed that babies who were swaddled were four times more likely to die from SIDS that those who weren't.

The direct link to swaddling and its associated dangers are unclear, but some suggest it could be because babies' movements during the night -- which cause them to wake up -- are "protective mechanisms," and therefore preventing them from moving is detrimental to their health. It's also thought that the blanket can find its way over top of an infant's face, which restricts breathing.

Canadian safety standards recommend parents and caregivers place babies on their backs during sleep time, with no blankets or toys in the crib.