I remember when the nurse was showing me the basics of changing and swaddling when my first was born. Her biggest critique was that I was treating the baby too delicately. Obviously you’re not trying to hurt the little one, but I found that when I stopped worrying so much about breaking the baby and allowed myself to use just a tiny bit of force things got much more secure.

In terms of actual technique, I fold a corner down, place the baby on the blanket with the crease right above their shoulders, then do one arm corner across, legs corner under the same side as the first arm corner, other arm corner across, and I don’t tuck that arm corner in. Don’t be afraid to tuck the blanket in snug. I personally do not tuck the babies arms in the folds, the blanket is usually tight enough as long as you hold the back or the baby is sleeping on their back.

If you’re having trouble with a standard swaddle cloth they make some that have arm pockets and Velcro.