Swaddling Soothes Newborns and Reduces Symptoms of Colic by recreating the familiar, comforting snugness of the womb. Swaddling also reduces the incidence of the startle reflex, which can upset babies and increase the frequency of waking and crying. Swaddling Can Reduce the Risk of SIDS and help babies sleep through the night. New research shows that swaddling can help reduce the risk of SIDS by promoting better sleep when infants are on their backs.