What is adult swaddling?

While the benefits of swaddling in terms of soothing babies to sleep have long been discussed, some Japanese experts believe being wrapped tightly and rocking from side to side can help grown-ups de-stress too.

Otonamaki, which translates as “adult wrapping,” first originated two years ago in Japan when midwife Nobuko Watanabe wanted to reassure nervous new parents that swaddling isn’t scary for babies.

So, according to the BBC, she had adults try it out themselves, with pretty convincing results.

The midwife also believed that replicating how babies are swaddled at birth could also help mothers overcome post labour shoulder and hip pain.

And the trend has caught on as advocates of the practice claim to turn to otonamaki for help with everything from lousy posture and back pain to anxiety and postpartum depression.

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The relaxation technique was put to the test on ‘Loose Women’ yesterday with hilarious consequences.

Describing the trend ‘Loose Women’ presenter Andrea McLean explained: “A Japanese midwife has developed this technique to use on women who have just given birth.

“It’s supposedly similar to being in the womb and offers a cocooning experience that a baby feels,” she added.

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In order to test the practice out, fellow presenter Coleen Nolan stepped forward to be swaddled, which involved her being tightly wrapped in a piece of fabric before being rocked back and forth.

Helping to wrap the 54-year-old in a bed sheet, a pre and postnatal doula and yoga teacher explained the theory behind the practice.

“Ordinarily you have your face enclosed,” she explained. “So you’re closing off the room, reducing stimuli and are able to relax. We rocked in the womb, we rock our babies, it’s a soothing experience.”

Though Coleen joked that she couldn’t believe what she was being asked to do, she did admit to finding being wrapped tightly relaxing.

“I'm feeling zen, but I’m sitting here thinking, ‘I used to be a really big popstar,’” she said, before adding: “In all seriousness it is actually really relaxing.”

But viewers were somewhat divided about whether they found the whole idea of adult swaddling bonkers or brilliant.

Commenting on the trend Liz Halliday, Deputy Head of Midwifery at Private Midwives says: "Adult swaddling might be a technique that some women find helpful after having a baby, although we have no evidence to support or deny its use.

"Often, just having a midwife support families through those precious baby days has a tremendously positive effect on mental health and well-being. Choosing a practitioner that is the right fit for your family is a must.

"Certainly, adult swaddling is not something that I've come across before or had clients ask for, but if it's something you would like to try, talk to your midwife about it."