A swaddle can be a powerful tool to help a newborn sleep well. But knowing when and how to transition out of a swaddle is not only important safety information, but it can also help your baby from becoming dependent on the fit of a swaddle in order to be able to fall asleep. Teaching your baby how to fall asleep without relying on something external is beneficial for the entire family.
Benefits of Swaddling Your Baby
It helps soothe a colicky baby by applying light pressure.
It will help regulate your baby’s temperature. Babies don’t have the ability to self-regulate so a swaddle helps keep baby warm. Side note, feel the baby’s body (not extremities) after being swaddled. They should feel warm, but not hot or cold.
It protects a baby against their startle reflex which means it helps them sleep longer stretches because the jolting of their little arms and legs is not waking them up.
It helps calm a crying baby. They feel calm and secure in the tight fit of a swaddle, as it mimics being in the womb.
Everyone in the family will sleep better if baby is sleeping well.
When to Use a Swaddle and When to Transition Out
Always follow AAP guidelines for safe sleep. When it comes to swaddling, you can start as soon as baby is born. When to stop swaddling is what you really need to pay attention to more. The AAP states that most babies stop swaddling between 3-4 months. The most important determining factor is looking for signs that baby might roll. You want to transition out of the swaddle before your babe will unintentionally roll over because if a baby rolls while swaddled it can be a suffocation hazard. I find that’s often by 10 weeks of age that a baby will show signs of rolling.
What Does Baby Wear After the Swaddle?
Once a baby is out of the swaddle you have two options:
Go straight to a basic sleep sack. Make sure it’s not weighted as those are not recommended by the AAP.
You can also use a transitional swaddle for a month or so and then go to a basic sleep sack. What I love about a transitional swaddle like the Zippadee Zip is that your baby will still feel a bit of comfort as their arms and legs are in the sack, but they can move around freely, which is super important for safety. Some babies find a lot of comfort sucking on their fingers or thumb. If their hands are inside the sack they can’t use them to self-soothe. That’s the only negative.
Sleep Sack Suggestions from a Baby Sleep Expert
Any basic sleep sack will do like Kyte Baby, Halo, and Burt’s Bees. If the temperature of your baby’s room is difficult to regulate, I’d recommend investing in a Woolino Sleep Sack (use discount code ANDIMETZLER10). It’s made of merino wool and helps keep baby warm when it’s cool out and keeps baby cool when it’s warm out. It’s a little bit of amazing!
How to Make the Transition to a Sleep Sack
Pick a time to start, either at naptime or bedtime. Swaddle with one arm out and the other arm contained in the swaddle.
For the next sleep (nap or bedtime), swaddle baby with the opposite arm out and one arm still contained.
Continue swaddling with an alternating arm tucked in for 3-4 days, then be done with the swaddle and go straight to your favorite sleep sack.
You might notice that your baby is moving a lot more now that they aren’t swaddled. This is great news! You want your baby to move and work on mobility. It’s probably time to add even more designated tummy time to the day. I recommend doing tummy time for several minutes during every wake window.
Recap
Swaddling is great for newborns, but you MUST get baby out of a swaddle before they roll. So be on the lookout for baby trying to roll over or just play it safe and transition to a sleep sack before baby is 10 weeks old.