Swaddling - Everything You Need to Know
/To swaddle or Not to swaddle - that is the question. And if you are a sleep-deprived, brand new parent looking for ways to get more sleep, you’re probably asking yourself that question right now. Today on the blog we’re breaking down all things swaddling so you can decide for yourself if this tool is right for you and your baby.
Why Swaddling?
If you’ve seen babies wrapped up like snug little burritos, you may have wondered why. The answer lies partly in the normal newborn reflexes that are just part of the first several months of development. Babies are born with an involuntary startle reflex, called the Moro reflex, that can cause them to stiffen, throw their arms and legs out, or even cry out. This reflex is prominent for the first few months and then goes away.
If you are trying to transfer your baby from your shoulder to their crib or bassinet, you may have noticed this startle reflex when you are lowering them down. Even during your baby’s active sleep cycles, they might startle and wake themselves up. There’s nothing worse than hitting yourself in the face right in the middle of a good nap.
Swaddling keeps your baby’s arms and hands tucked in and can thus dampen that Moro reflex and keep your baby from involuntarily startling. Swaddling also helps to mimic the sensation of being back in the womb, where your baby was curled up in a cozy, little ball and there was no threat of free-fall anywhere to be found.
Benefits and Risks
So is it safe? Just like any decision you will have to make when it comes to parenting, there are always benefits and risks to consider, but yes, when done properly, swaddling is safe. But is it right for you? Let’s look at the benefits and risks.
Benefits:
Helps lessen the baby’s startle reflex, which can make transferring your baby to another sleep space easier
Can help extend your baby’s sleep when they are not being held
Can be a soothing tool when your baby is upset or overstimulated
Can keep baby warm at night since no loose blankets are allowed in the baby’s crib for the first year
Risks:
If swaddled too tightly, without room to allow their legs to move and bend, swaddling could lead to hip dysplasia
If a swaddled baby is placed to sleep on their stomach or side, it could increase the risk of SIDS or suffocation
If a swaddled baby is dressed too warmly beneath the swaddle blanket, it could cause overheating
As the risks show, if you do plan to swaddle your baby, it’s important that you do so correctly and safely.
How To
Let’s get you ready to swaddle your baby. Make sure that you are using a thin, breathable blanket - this will eliminate the risk of overheating. (And also no, need to dress your baby in multiple layers beneath the blanket; a onesie or a long-sleeved sleeper is fine, depending on the season.) Always swaddle your baby on a flat, safe surface. If there is any chance your baby could roll off that surface, do not leave them unattended.
Next Steps:
Lay your blanket down in front of you in a diamond shape and fold the top corner down.
Place your baby on their back on the folded blanket, with their head above the fold. I usually line up the babies shoulders with the top of the blanket to make sure that their face will be clear of any material when swaddling.
Keeping their left arm by their side, pull the left corner of the blanket across and over the baby’s body, tucking it between their right arm and the right side of their body.
Next, bring the bottom corner up and over their body, keeping their right arm flat by their side as you do so, and tuck the corner over their right shoulder between their body and the blanket under them. Make sure to leave plenty of slack at the bottom so their legs and feet can move freely.
Finally, pull any loose slack from the right corner and then wrap that side all the way around the baby’s body, coming back around and tucking the “tail” into the front fold of the blanket. Make sure the blanket is secured and will not come loose during sleep.
For another swaddling method, called the V-Neck Swaddle, you can check out my favorite how-to video here.
When to Stop
Swaddling can be a great tool to help newborns get longer periods of sleep (when not being held) and keep them calm and relaxed. But it can’t be used forever. As noted above when discussing the risks, if a swaddled baby is sleeping on their side or stomach that can increase the risk of SIDS or suffocation. So before your baby can roll over, it will be time to stop swaddling.
This developmental milestone normally happens somewhere between 2 and 3 months. Pay attention at tummy time. If you notice your baby is starting to roll from their tummy to their back, then it’s time to begin that transition away from the swaddle. Because the next step will be rolling from back to tummy and we want your baby out of the swaddle by then.
For many babies (and parents that like to sleep), a slower transition out of the swaddle can work well. Start at nap time by leaving one arm out of the swaddle and see how your baby does. They might not sleep as well at first - this will take a little practice. You can then move to sleeping with one arm out for overnight sleep as well. Once you notice your baby adapting to this new sleep routine, then take both arms out. Again, start just with naps if that is easier to build a little stamina there. Remember - the goal is to be totally out of the swaddle by the time your baby can roll from back to tummy with ease.
For many families, the transition to a sleep sack is the next step. Sleep sacks are safe for infant sleep and something that can be worn for quite a while.