Abstract

Introduction:
The birth of a newborn is a significant and emotional event. Proper newborn care is crucial for healthy physical and mental development. Infant sleep is a dynamic process essential for growth and is often disrupted by irregular sleep patterns. Swaddling, an ancient technique of wrapping infants snugly in blankets, has been shown to calm babies, reduce crying, and promote longer sleep durations by mimicking the womb environment.

Background:
Swaddling is widely used in neonatal care, especially for preterm infants, to reduce stress and improve sleep and physiological stability. Research suggests it supports self-regulation, reduces pain responses, and improves neuromuscular development. Despite its benefits, safe swaddling techniques must be followed to avoid risks such as hip dysplasia and sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Objectives:
This study aimed to assess pre-test knowledge of swaddling techniques among mothers of newborns, evaluate the effectiveness of video-assisted teaching on their knowledge, and explore associations with demographic variables.

Methodology:
A quantitative, one-group pre-test and post-test design was employed among 120 mothers of newborns in a selected hospital in Nagpur using convenient sampling. Data were collected using a validated knowledge questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics.

Results:
The study found a significant improvement in mothers’ knowledge scores regarding swaddling techniques following the video-assisted teaching intervention (p<0.05). Demographic factors such as education and parity showed associations with knowledge levels.

Conclusion:
Video-assisted teaching is an effective method to enhance mothers’ knowledge on safe swaddling techniques, which can improve newborn care practices and promote better infant sleep and wellbeing.

Keywords:
Swaddling, Newborn Care, Infant Sleep, Video-Assisted Teaching, Maternal Knowledge, Neonatal Health