To swaddle means to wrap a baby snugly in a blanket or cloth, with their arms tucked in at their sides. Parents have swaddled newborns for thousands of years because it helps babies feel secure and calm, like they're being held in a gentle hug. The tight wrapping mimics the cozy feeling babies had in the womb, which can help them sleep better and cry less.

When you swaddle a baby, you fold a blanket into a triangle, lay the baby on it, and wrap one side across their body, then the other, creating what looks like a baby burrito. The technique takes practice to get right: too loose and the blanket comes undone, too tight and the baby can't move their legs properly.

You might see swaddling in historical paintings where babies look wrapped up like little packages. While some cultures stopped swaddling for a time, many parents today have returned to the practice, though doctors recommend stopping once babies can roll over on their own.

Beyond babies, people sometimes use swaddle to describe wrapping anything carefully and protectively, like swaddling a fragile vase in bubble wrap before packing it.