Dictionary

silver swaddler en · NOUN

Etymology

Coined by British paediatrician David Baum in 1968, initially intended for newborns.

Meanings

1. A bag made of aluminium foil designed to retain body heat and provide warmth in harsh weather conditions.
   • A group of babies wrapped only in the silver swaddler was compared with a group swaddled conventionally–i.e., with a warm dry towel, flannelette, and blanket. 1968 March 30, J. D. Baum, J. W. Scopes, “The Silver Swaddler: Device for Preventing Hypothermia in the Newborn”, in The Lancet, volume 291, number 7544, →DOI, page 673:
   • Until admission can be arranged, wrap the child in warm clothing and blankets to insulate as fully as possible. A silver swaddler is extremely effective. 1981, N.D. Barnes, N.R.C. Roberton, Pediactrics, Update Books, pages 107-108:
   • David made a lasting and important impression on a young medical student from America, who had just begun a career. This dynamo who invented the silver swaddler for thermal control of the low birthweight neonate, conveyed to me a love of learning, a respect for patients and families, and a sense of the wonder and excitement of neonatology. 2000 January 22, Barbara Stoll, “Youthful memories: a tribute to David Baum”, in The Lancet, volume 355, number 9200, →DOI, page 322:
   • The "silver swaddlers", as they are often referred to, are usually seen at the finish line of sporting events but are proliferating at Heathrow and Eurostar terminals. 2010 December 21, Imogen Fox, “Perfect foil: capes become the look of Britain's big freeze”, in The Guardian, archived from the original on 22 Apr 2024:

Forms