When to Stop Swaddling Baby for Sleep (2024)

FAQs

How many weeks should you stop swaddling? ›

The AAP recommends that parents stop swaddling their baby (arms in) after they turn two months old. This is because swaddling becomes unsafe if: Baby starts getting strong enough to break out of the swaddle, causing there to be loose fabric in the crib.

Most babies are ready to be weaned off swaddling by 3 to 4 months of age. It's fine to keep swaddling your baby while he's sleeping if he seems to sleep better that way; he'll let you know by crying and kicking when he no longer wants to be swaddled.

Babies don't have to be swaddled. If your baby is happy without swaddling, don't bother. Always put your baby to sleep on his back. This is true no matter what, but is especially true if he is swaddled.

Sleep suits can be a great alternative or swaddling transition. The suits keep baby's arms in a T-shape, to prevent rolling, while still keeping them comfortable. Make sure to keep the room they are in cool, as suits can be warm. Remember, swaddling (or an alternative solution) should end when your baby begins to roll.

Allow baby to be exposed to some noise while napping. If baby is able to tolerate some background noise, he or she will be less likely to startle at sudden changes in noise or position.

The AAP recommends that you stop swaddling your baby at 8 weeks or when they show signs of rolling; whichever comes first. This a very daunting subject for parents of babies who love their swaddle.

While there is no set rule for the exact time to move through the transition from swaddle to arms-out sleeping, it typically starts between 3-6 months old. However, some babies may start earlier, some may take longer. You may be unsure of when exactly to make the transition, however you know your baby best.

Swaddling your baby with one or both arms out is perfectly safe, as long as you continue to wrap her blanket securely. In fact, some newborns prefer being swaddled with one or both arms free from the very beginning.

Yes. It is generally safe for infants to sleep in a sleep sack which allows their arms to be free and hips and legs to move once they start to roll over. This ensures that they are able to move about freely and can push themselves up when they start to roll over on their own.

Swaddling during feeding can also suppress some of the baby's important reflexes. During breastfeeding, a baby who can move freely can latch on better and nurse more effectively. As soon as a baby is able to roll onto their front, it is no longer safe to swaddle.

Why is swaddling not recommended? ›

Babies who are swaddled too tightly may develop a problem with their hips. Studies have found that straightening and tightly wrapping a baby's legs can lead to hip dislocation or hip dysplasia. This is an abnormal formation of the hip joint where the top of the thigh bone is not held firmly in the socket of the hip.

Hiccups are normal and usually don't hurt your baby. In younger babies, hiccups are usually a sign that they need to be seated upright during or after feeding, that feeding needs to be slower for them, or that they need more time before or after feeding to relax.

Swaddled Babies Sleep Longer

All infants were placed on their backs. The researchers found swaddling increases a baby's total amount of sleep as well as nonrapid eye movement (NREM) or light sleep compared with when they were not swaddled.

Swaddle your baby.

By keeping your baby's arms tucked in tight against their body, they won't be able to jerk their arms out which ultimately scares them and wakes them up.

Also, maybe you've seen your baby quickly startle while asleep, flailing their arms out wide? That's called the “Moro” reflex or “startle reflex” and although it usually only lasts a few seconds, it's often enough to wake your sleeping baby.

In most cases, baby is pulling up their legs simply to try to relieve themselves of gas pains, and it (along with the gas) shall pass.

H​ow Long the Moro Reflex Usually Lasts​

From around the second month, your little one should become calmer. It might still startle when being laid to sleep or wake up in the night because of the moro reflex but your embrace and soothing touch should bring her back to sleep.

‌You should stop swaddling your baby when they start to roll over. That's typically between two and four months. During this time, your baby might be able to roll onto their tummy, but not be able to roll back over. This can raise their risk of SIDs.

Signs they are going to roll over

lifting their head and shoulders more during tummy time. rolling onto their shoulders or side. kicking their legs and scooting in a circle when on their back. increased leg and hip strength, such as rolling the hips from side to side and using the legs to lift the hips up.

What time should a newborn go to bed? ›

Here's our guidelines for appropriate bedtimes, based on age (keep in mind, the lower range aligns with the younger age): Newborns (0 - 3.5 months) - 7:30-9:30pm (later because newborn sleep cycles aren't yet in place and circadian rhythm isn't driving sleep) 3.5 - 6 months old - 7-8:30 pm. 6 - 12 months old - 6-8pm.

Nights 1 & 2: Unswaddle the non-dominant arm first, inside the sleep sack. Nights 3 & 4: Unswaddle the other arm, inside the sleep sack. Nights 5 & 6: Remove the swaddle completely, so child is “free like a bird” inside the sleep sack.

Babies start rolling over as early as 4 months old. They will rock from side to side, a motion that is the foundation for rolling over. They may also roll over from tummy to back. At 6 months old, babies will typically roll over in both directions.

Allow baby to be exposed to some noise while napping. If baby is able to tolerate some background noise, he or she will be less likely to startle at sudden changes in noise or position.

While there is no set rule for the exact time to move through the transition from swaddle to arms-out sleeping, it typically starts between 3-6 months old. However, some babies may start earlier, some may take longer. You may be unsure of when exactly to make the transition, however you know your baby best.

When it's time to stop swaddling your baby, there are two options: Go cold turkey and remove the wrap entirely, or do it gradually, by taking one arm out for a few naps and nights, later followed by the other, says Gander.

Also, maybe you've seen your baby quickly startle while asleep, flailing their arms out wide? That's called the “Moro” reflex or “startle reflex” and although it usually only lasts a few seconds, it's often enough to wake your sleeping baby.

In most cases, baby is pulling up their legs simply to try to relieve themselves of gas pains, and it (along with the gas) shall pass.

H​ow Long the Moro Reflex Usually Lasts​

From around the second month, your little one should become calmer. It might still startle when being laid to sleep or wake up in the night because of the moro reflex but your embrace and soothing touch should bring her back to sleep.

Here's our guidelines for appropriate bedtimes, based on age (keep in mind, the lower range aligns with the younger age): Newborns (0 - 3.5 months) - 7:30-9:30pm (later because newborn sleep cycles aren't yet in place and circadian rhythm isn't driving sleep) 3.5 - 6 months old - 7-8:30 pm. 6 - 12 months old - 6-8pm.

Which arm do you Unswaddle first? ›

Nights 1 & 2: Unswaddle the non-dominant arm first, inside the sleep sack. Nights 3 & 4: Unswaddle the other arm, inside the sleep sack. Nights 5 & 6: Remove the swaddle completely, so child is “free like a bird” inside the sleep sack.

‌You should stop swaddling your baby when they start to roll over. That's typically between two and four months. During this time, your baby might be able to roll onto their tummy, but not be able to roll back over. This can raise their risk of SIDs.

Swaddling your baby with one or both arms out is perfectly safe, as long as you continue to wrap her blanket securely. In fact, some newborns prefer being swaddled with one or both arms free from the very beginning.