These are the benefits of swaddling your baby

Jan 3

“Swaddling” is a term that isn’t usually in our vocabulary until we become parents, and then suddenly it becomes an everyday word! We get a few swaddles at our baby shower, we may come home with one from the hospital, and we constantly read articles that mention swaddling.

But really, is swaddling all that important for sleep?

In short, yes! For two main reasons:

1. Swaddling helps to mimic that snug feeling that your baby felt in the womb.

When babies come out of the womb, they experience cold, light, and open air for the first time. We can only imagine how traumatic and overwhelming that is! Swaddling (as well as a dark sleeping environment and white noise) is a great way to help babies feel warm, snug, safe, and secure - a little taste of the womb they were so comfortable in!

2. Swaddling prevents your baby from startling themselves awake.

In the first few months of life, babies have the Moro reflex, which means their arms will naturally fly out if they are startled by something like a loud noise. If their arms are free, this reflex could cause them to wake up from sleep! However, if swaddled, the Moro reflex is stopped and your baby is more likely to stay asleep, even in the midst of sudden loud noises.

Because of these two reasons, we recommend that ALL babies are swaddled for naps AND bedtime until they are able to roll over! Put simply, it helps your baby sleep more soundly!

When it comes to swaddling, there are also three main concerns we are commonly asked about.

Is swaddling safe?
What if my baby doesn’t like being swaddled?
How do I wean my baby off of the swaddle?

So let’s discuss these….

Concern #1: Is swaddling safe?

There are some dangers associated with swaddling, but if done correctly, there is absolutely nothing to fear.

The swaddle shouldn’t be loose enough to get undone, but also shouldn’t be so tight that it makes it hard for the baby to breathe or move their hips. If it’s too loose, it becomes just like a loose sheet or blanket, which your baby shouldn’t have in the crib until after 12 months because of the risk of suffocation and SIDS. On the other hand, swaddling too tight can cause hip dysplasia, so you want to make sure your baby can move their hips and knees easily. If you are worried about either one of these, the easiest thing to do is get a Velcro swaddle, which makes the whole swaddling process so much easier. We recommend some of our favorite swaddles here.
Follow all of the “safe sleep” practices, such as placing your baby on their back for sleep. With swaddling, this rule becomes even more important!
Make sure your baby is not getting too hot under the swaddle. If they are sweating, have wet hair or red cheeks, or are breathing heavily, they are too hot! Remember, the temperature in your baby’s room should stay around 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Stop swaddling as soon as your baby starts rolling over. Even if they are not rolling over regularly, you should stop swaddling as soon as they show signs of trying to roll over, which is often as early as 4 months. Even after they can roll over successfully and you stop swaddling, continue to place them initially on their back for sleep, allowing them to roll over only if they choose to.

Concern #2: What if my baby doesn’t like being swaddled?

Swaddling should feel natural to your baby, as it replicates the feeling they had in the womb. However, if it seems that your baby “doesn’t like” being swaddled, try these tips…

Timing is everything. Of course, you can’t swaddle your baby once they’ve already fallen asleep, as that would cause overstimulation and most likely crying. In the same way, you shouldn’t swaddle your baby once they’re already overtired. We recommend swaddling at the beginning of your bedtime or naptime routine, when your baby is starting to get drowsy but isn’t fully ready to fall asleep.
Try different types of swaddles. Swaddles come in different materials, sizes, and styles. If you’ve been using blanket swaddles unsuccessfully, try Velcro swaddles! If you’ve been using Velcro unsuccessfully, try a soft, organic swaddle blanket! There are numerous brands you can choose from, and each comes with different sizes to choose from. Again, here are our favorites.

Concern #3: How do I wean my baby off of the swaddle?

Although the idea of getting rid of the swaddle can feel scary, it’s really nothing to be worried about! Here’s what we recommend:

Around 3.5 months old, start by letting your baby have one or two arms out of the swaddle during naps. You can then transition to a sleep sack or use a transitional product like the magic merlin sleep suit.
Encourage your baby to find their hands; it’s a great self-soothing technique!
By the time your baby is actually rolling over, fully transition to a sleep sack instead of a swaddle. Sleep sacks serve similar purposes as swaddles, but allow baby’s arms to be free. They also add a layer of warmth, as babies shouldn’t have blankets in their crib until 18-24 months. For sleep sacks, Nested Bean, Halo, and Woombie are some of our favorites.