When do I stop swaddling my baby?
What is swaddling?
Swaddling is a practice that increased in the United States when the “Back to Sleep” or “Safe to Sleep” campaign started in the 90s. The “Safe to Sleep” campaign, encouraged by the American Academy of Pediatrics, lists a set of guidelines to be followed to create a safe infant sleep environment.
The guidelines include:
Room sharing with babies sleeping in a separate space from your bed, such as a bassinet or crib
Sleeping on a flat, firm surface covered with nothing other than a fitted sheet
Removing all blankets, pillows, and toys from the sleeping space
Placing your baby to sleep on their back
Keeping them warm with a wearable blanket (sleep sack or swaddle) that does not cover the mouth or face
Maintaining a smoke and vape free space
Swaddling is a method of helping babies feel calm and sleepy that involves wrapping them in a cloth to provide a sense of security. Additionally, it helps mute the “Moro” or “startle” reflex that tends to be elicited more often when babies are on their backs versus on their bellies.
When to stop swaddling.
Different sources recommend different ages to stop swaddling, most ranging from 8 weeks to 4 months. However, ultimately it is recommended to stop swaddling babies when they start to show signs of rolling. The main concern is preventing rolling from back to belly while swaddled. This can cause a blockage of the airways if a baby gets stuck on their belly while swaddled.
Here’s what to look for in your baby that indicates rolling might be coming soon:
Grabbing the feet
Reaching across the body while on the back
Pushing up onto straight arms on the belly
Rolling from back to side
Lifting both feet in the air while on the back
Trying to “crunch” or sit up from the back
You may see your baby perform a “newborn curl” rolling from back to side, or accidentally flip from belly to back due to the weight of their head in the first few weeks of life. This does not usually indicate purposeful rolling. However, use your best judgement.
How do I transition out of a swaddle?
Once you see signs of rolling it is recommended to transition your baby out of a swaddle and into a less restrictive type of wearable blanket, such as a sleep sack. You can be proactive and try to transition out of swaddle before you see signs of rolling. Try swaddling with one arm out, and then progress to two arms out before completely moving them to a sleep sack. Alternatively, you may decide to use sleep sacks during designated sleep periods such as naps and swaddle at night before making the full transition. You may also decide to stop using a swaddle immediately at any time.
If your baby is getting stuck on their belly at night and constantly getting upset - reach out to a specialist at Year One Wellness for help!
Check out more on rolling and baby sleep on the How Long ‘Till Bedtime podcast with special guest Dr. Kristi Hammerle, PT, DPT from Year One Wellness
