If you’ve ever seen a baby bundled up like a little burrito, you have seen swaddling in action. This method of wrapping babies isn’t just adorable, it also serves a function by helping babies regulate their body temperature and potentially sleep longer. To swaddle a baby, you need to wrap them securely, but not too tightly. There is an art to getting it right, but with some practice and a step-by-step guide, you too can be a swaddle master. Here’s what you need to know.
Why Babies Like to Be Swaddled
Swaddling works by suppressing the Moro reflex, also called the startle reflex, an involuntary motor response in infants. When babies experience this reflex, they suddenly startle and throw their arms out in front of them. This protective response is brought on when infants feel like they are falling or when something alarms them. If a baby experiences the Moro reflex during the night, they often wake and may cry for a parent to come in and resettle them. Swaddles also keep babies feeling warm and snug, making them more comfortable and helping them rest better. According to Robert Hamilton, MD, FAAP, a pediatrician at Providence Saint John’s Health Center in Santa Monica, CA, the swaddled-up feeling a baby experiences may be reminiscent of how they felt while in the womb. As Dr. Hamilton explains, young babies “recognize” the restriction of movement that swaddling creates, and he finds that this can console them.
Is It Safe to Swaddle a Baby?
Swaddling is generally safe when done correctly, but there are some risks to be aware of. Swaddling works by decreasing the baby’s arousal, so it’s harder for the baby to wake up. There is evidence that decreased arousal may be one of the causes of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Always make sure that you swaddle tightly enough so that the blanket can’t come loose but not so tight that your baby is constricted, advises Dr. Hamilton. The blanket should be loose enough at the hips for freedom of movement. Also, use a light blanket to avoid overheating. Most importantly, always follow safe sleep guidelines when it comes to swaddling.
Types of Swaddles
The classic swaddle is a thin, muslin cotton receiving blanket, but there are a few other swaddle options. You can use whichever type works best for you.
Place your baby down to sleep on their back for every sleep. Refrain from using loose blankets and don’t place anything in the crib other than the baby and a pacifier (if you choose to use one). Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows any signs of trying to roll over or at 2 months old, whichever comes first. Avoid over-bundling your baby.
For instance, a velcro swaddle can be easier to put on than a blanket and offer a firm hold. This type of swaddle may be useful, especially if getting that perfect fit eludes you or if you have a baby Houdini who always seems to wiggle out. Though some children are still able to wiggle their way out, according to Dr. Hamilton. Other babies prefer to be swaddled with their arms up, so a velcro or zippered sack with little wings for their arms and hands may be a good choice. Still, others prefer a swaddle sack that lets them move their hands and arms around inside. Ultimately, the type of swaddle you use depends on what your baby responds best to. Fit is more important than type, Dr. Hamilton says. “Too tight a swaddle and the child is miserable and will cry from discomfort. Too loose of swaddle results in baby ‘swimming in the swaddle’ and this is not effective,” he explains.
How to Swaddle a Baby in a Blanket
There are as many variations of swaddling with a blanket as there are types of baby blankets, though the methods mostly follow the same principles.
Basic Arms Down Swaddle
The following is a basic step-by-step guide for swaddling a baby with a receiving blanket:
Arms Up Swaddle
If your baby doesn’t seem to like being swaddled, they may prefer a different arm position. Many babies prefer to be swaddled with their hands to their heart. In this position, follow the steps above but bring the baby’s fists together at their chest instead of putting them down by the baby’s sides. Alternatively, you can swaddle them with their arms completely out, following the steps above but with the top of the blanket lined up just below the armpit. In this method, you also need to adjust step 4 and bring the corner of the blanket around the back instead of up and over the shoulder. “Some nurses and pediatricians prefer to have the elbows extended at the side of the child when they are swaddled. Other practitioners feel equally happy with arms that are allowed to be flexed at the elbow,” Dr. Hamilton says. Swaddling with the arms out helps some babies self-soothe but for others, it makes sleep harder. With the arms out, the Moro reflex is more likely to wake them.
How Often Should I Swaddle My Baby?
There is no rule that says you have to swaddle every time they sleep. However, consistency is generally best. “You don’t have to swaddle your baby for every nap, especially if you are already keeping your baby close to you by holding them,” says Heather Wallace, a certified pediatric sleep consultant. “However, if your baby is struggling with napping, swaddling can help tremendously, as it inhibits the startle reflex. Baby can go through each stage of sleep without being jolted awake.”
When to Stop Swaddling a Baby
Swaddling should be discontinued before your baby can roll from front to back. Babies generally learn to roll from back to front before they can roll from front to back. A swaddled baby who rolls onto their stomach while sleeping is at an increased risk of SIDS or suffocation. Although you may be hesitant to take away your baby’s sleep aid, their safety is more important. Ultimately, they will sleep better without the swaddle because this method isn’t effective as babies get older anyway. “[When older], the child is more robust and more difficult to get into a swaddle and also, I find that the constricting effect that works so well when they are young doesn’t seem to have the same value,” Dr. Hamilton notes.
How to Transition Out of a Swaddle
When it’s time to drop the swaddle, transition to a sleep sack. A sleep sack is a wearable blanket that usually zips up the front. There are a few different options to choose from. Babies under age 1 should not have loose blankets or pillows in the crib, so a sleep sack is your safest bet when moving on from the swaddle. Wallace recommends a slow transition. “I suggest trying to swaddle baby with one arm out around 7 weeks old,” she explains. “After your baby has adjusted to this small change, try removing the other arm.” The slow transition gives you plenty of time to try new ways of soothing your baby—before they need to be completely swaddle-free, she adds. If your baby is still having trouble sleeping without the swaddle after about a week of dropping it, Wallace suggests working on independent sleep skills with your baby. Resist the urge to try a bunch of new gadgets, because your baby will eventually need to be weaned from these aids as well.
Sleep Without a Swaddle
There is no rule that says you have to swaddle a newborn, and some parents choose not to do it at all. If your baby doesn’t like it or you’re uncomfortable with the small risk associated with swaddling, it’s fine to put your baby down without one. Just remember that the only bedding your baby needs is a tight-fitting sheet over the mattress. Some parents prefer to let their baby learn to sleep without a swaddle from the get-go rather than attempt to take one away while this reflex is still strong. “You also can help your baby feel secure by offering a firm but gentle touch, shushing rhythmically, and even briefly picking your baby up and putting them back down awake,” Wallace says. Sometimes babies who aren’t in swaddles begin to self-soothe by sucking their fingers because they can reach them. Depending on the baby, being able to bring the hands to the mouth can have a more positive impact on sleep consolidation.
A Word From Verywell
Swaddling can be a sleep aid that helps you get through those early months of parenting without losing your mind. When done correctly, swaddling is a safe way to improve and extend infant sleep. If your new baby’s sleep habits are exhausting, it’s OK to ask for help. Maybe your partner, a family member, or a friend can help out while you rest. Hiring a night nurse is another option. You also can consider investing in a sleep consultant or just giving yourself permission to nap whenever your baby does. If sleep deprivation has you feeling depressed or anxious, reach out to a healthcare provider.
