How to do the adult swaddling
Adult Swaddling is mostly practised in Japan. This is because the country is home to many physiotherapists or otonamaki instructors. A session usually lasts between 20 to 30 minutes. It is important to keep air flowing through the practice. Experts advise people practising at home to use a thin, stretchy woven blanket. You can also use blankets that you can see and breathe through.
Otonamaki instructors use certain mesh sheets for swaddling to provide breathability and flexibility. A stretchy jersey sheet also offers sufficient flexibility. Bad airflow can increase your stress levels. It would help to buy loosely woven fabric from a craft store to build your swaddling blanket. Do not use tulle because they tear easily. Elastic fabrics also help boost hair flow.
You need help from a partner or friend to practice adult swaddling because you cannot wrap yourself.
You can follow these steps to practice swaddling:
- Sit cross-legged on the sheet and place your hands on your lap. Extend about 10 to 12 inches of cloth around your crossed legs.
- Your partner should raise the sheet at your back to ensure another 10 inches or so of cloth extends above your head.
- Your partner should put a rolled towel or a thick fabric at the back of your head before tying the first knot to provide adequate support to your neck.
- Now, your partner should lift the sheet at your back, and let it hang over your head.
- Your partner should match a top sheet corner to the alternate bottom sheet corner. For example, the top left corner should be matched with the bottom right corner.
- After matching the two corners, they should be knotted tightly to help you remain in position.
- Your partner should similarly knot the other two corners.
- The loose fabric beneath your feet can now be pulled up and knotted with the fabric hanging over your head to completely cocoon you. Any extra loose fabric must also be tied.
- Now, your partner can gradually rock you back and forth or roll you onto your back. You may need a thin, flat cushion for adequate support. It is important to take the rocking part gently because it is a vital part of swaddling therapy.
- In some cases, your practitioner may incorporate colour therapy in swaddling sessions by hanging brightly coloured fabric over the mesh. Bright colours are known to emit various calming emotions or sensations. For example, green makes your mind feel like a peaceful place, while blue makes you feel like you are swimming underwater.
If you are having issues with movement, you can try the sleep pod. A sleep pod is a stretchy sleep sack that involves using gentle pressure to put you in a suitable sleeping position. Like weighted blankets, it offers a calming effect and improves sleep patterns. However, it did not make you heavy. You can use sleep pods as frequently as possible if you are in the fetal position. However, you must use it without totally covering your body.