silver swaddler

English

Etymology

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

Noun

silver swaddler (plural silver swaddlers)

1. A bag made of aluminium foil designed to retain body heat and provide warmth in harsh weather conditions.
   • 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:

     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.

   • 1981, N.D. Barnes, N.R.C. Roberton, Pediactrics, Update Books, pages 107-108:

     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.

   • 2000 January 22, Barbara Stoll, “Youthful memories: a tribute to David Baum”, in The Lancet, volume 355, number 9200, →DOI, page 322:

     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.

   • 2010 December 21, Imogen Fox, “Perfect foil: capes become the look of Britain's big freeze”, in The Guardian‎^[1], archived from the original on 2024-04-22:

     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.