When to Stop Swaddling Your Baby

06 Jan.,2025

 

When to Stop Swaddling Your Baby

From developmental signs to look out for, to the reasons you should stop swaddling your baby after a certain age, find out everything you need to know below. 

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At what age should you stop swaddling?

As a general rule, when to stop swaddling your baby is as soon as they start to show signs of rolling over. On average, children will begin to display these signs between 2 to 6 months old. It's important to note that for some babies this can happen as early as 8 weeks old, while for other babies, it happens later.

If a baby rolls over during sleep while still swaddled it could pose a safety hazard by restricting baby's movement or breathing. If you're using a traditional muslin swaddle that requires wrapping, it has the potential to come loose, which may also pose a suffocation hazard to a mobile baby.

1. The one arm out method

With our bestselling Swaddle Up' Transition Bags, you can unzip one arm at a time to ease your child into a new sleep routine. If your routine is to swaddle your baby before sleep or a nap, simply swap this step for putting your baby into a Transition Bag and unzip one arm to start to introduce arms-free sleep, maintaining a similar feeling of comfort.

2. Both arms out of the swaddle

Once your baby has settled into a new rhythm, you can unzip the second arm of the transition suit to enable even more freedom of movement. It may take a couple of nights for your child to adapt to this new way of sleeping.  

3. The legs out method

If your baby is ready for more movement, the Swaddle Up' Transition Suit is the perfect next step. With a hip-healthy design, your child will be able to sleep with their legs free to move. 

Designed to last for years to come, the five-in-one solution can also be used for play and travel with a twin zipper for easy nappy changes.

4. Removing the swaddle

Once your child is used to sleeping with their arms and legs free, it's time to adopt a swaddle-free sleep routine and move into using a sleep bag as an alternative.

5. Alternating swaddling and sleeping freely

You can choose to alternate between using an arms-free swaddle and sleeping freely. Once your child has reached stage three of their development, you can look to our On The Move range for support. 

A safer way to keep your little one warm during the night, our Swaddle Up' Transition Bags and Suits replace the need for blankets. Refer to our temperature guide to find the right style depending on the season.  

How do you get your baby to sleep without being swaddled?

When you find something that works for your baby, like a swaddle, it can be hard to embrace change. Here are some expert tips on how to transition from a swaddle to a new way of sleeping:

1. Use Transition Bags and Suits

Our Transition Bags and Suits are designed to help your child learn to sleep more independently. The zipped wings allow you to remove one arm at a time, helping your child to adapt to more freedom of movement without losing the comfort of being swaddled. 

Designed to be used all year round, our suits come in a range of fabric grades for the different seasons with four sizes to choose from: small (3.5-6kg), medium (6-8.5kg), large (8.5-11kg), and extra-large (11-14kg). 

2. Establishing a routine

Regardless of whether your baby is being swaddled or not, creating a safe sleep routine can help in times of adjustment. This will look different to every household, from bedtime stories to using white noise.

  • Try to reduce the amount of light in the room an hour before bedtime.
  • If possible, carve out approximately an hour before bed to settle your little one. This might be a bath, reading a book, a baby massage, or singing a lullaby. 

3. White noise

Some parents and caregivers like to use white noise to help settle their baby during transitions. If this is something you'd like to try, place the sound machine at least two meters away from your child's crib or bassinet, don't let the sound level exceed 50 decibels, and always keep out of reach. 

When to Stop Swaddling Your Baby: Signs to Look Out For

Swaddling can help your newborn baby sleep more soundly in the first few weeks and months, but there comes a time when your little one will outgrow this comforting technique. Discover when to stop swaddling your baby, how to transition your baby away from being swaddled, and what signs to look for that indicate it's time to stop swaddling.

If your baby is struggling with the transition out of a swaddle, or maybe sleep is becoming a distant memory since your newborn arrived ' get your customized sleep plan from the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers' app. Loved by parents and backed by experts, it's got everything you need to get your newborn sleeping like a pro!

Signs That It's Time to Stop Swaddling

The major sign that it's time to stop swaddling is when your little one starts trying to roll over. After this point, it's unsafe to continue swaddling. This may happen as early as 2 months or a little later on.

It's also time to stop swaddling if you see signs that your baby may be overheating, including:

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  • Sweating

  • Damp hair

  • Flushed cheeks

  • Heat rash

  • Rapid breathing.

Baby Sleep Tips for Your Newborn: How Long Do You Swaddle Your Baby For?

You should stop swaddling your baby when he starts attempting to roll over. Many babies start working on this move at about 2 months old. Swaddling once your baby can roll over may increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and suffocation.

For top tips on getting sleep on track, check out this video from Mandy Treeby, Chief Pediatric Sleep Consultant and co-founder of the Smart Sleep Coach by Pampers app.

The Purpose of Swaddling

Being swaddled imitates the feeling your baby had inside the womb, where it was nice and snug. Properly done, swaddling can help soothe your little one and may help your baby sleep. This is because babies can startle themselves awake when they reflexively jerk and flail their arms and legs while sleeping. When swaddled, your baby's arms and legs can't jerk her awake.

The Benefits of Swaddling

Here are some of the benefits of swaddling your infant:

  • Gives a sense of security

  • Offers comfort

  • Provides warmth

  • May help your baby sleep longer

  • May keep your baby from waking from the jerky movements she reflexively makes during sleep.

The Risks of Swaddling

Experts caution that swaddling does have some risks, especially if it affects your baby's arousal from sleep. If your baby isn't able to wake herself from sleep, this may increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). Check with your baby's healthcare provider if you're concerned about swaddling your baby or have questions on its safety.

Transitioning Your Baby Out of a Swaddle

There isn't necessarily a transitional period out of swaddling. Either you swaddle your newborn or you don't. If you do swaddle, experts recommend stopping when your baby starts trying to roll over, which may happen at about 2 months of age. When you've stopped swaddling your baby, you can dress your baby for sleep in a nightgown, sleeper, or pajamas, over an undershirt and diapers. It's a good rule of thumb to dress your baby in just one more layer of clothing than what you're wearing to ensure she's comfortable. If the weather is hot, she won't need more than a single layer. It's also a good idea to keep the bedroom at a cool temperature for your baby's optimal comfort.

How Do You Get Your Baby to Sleep Without Being Swaddled?

Instead of swaddling your infant, you may consider using sleep clothing such as a wearable blanket or a sleeping sack. Keep in mind, if the item you choose constricts your baby's arms, chest, or body, stop using it when you see that your baby is attempting to roll over on her own. If you choose a garment that doesn't constrict the arms, you can use it as long as you like. You may also consider trying some soothing techniques to help your baby get to sleep. For example, create a relaxing bedtime routine that may include a bath, a massage, a bedtime story, or a little quiet cuddle time. You may also find that playing soft music or creating white noise (such as by running a fan pointed at a wall, or using a baby sound machine) can help your baby fall asleep. Whether your baby is swaddled or not, make sure you place him in his crib on his back, as this is the safest sleeping position.

The Bottom Line

Swaddling can help your newborn relax and sleep better, but experts say to stop swaddling once your baby starts trying to roll over on her own. And, if you see your baby becoming overheated, it's safest to stop swaddling, choose a lighter swaddling blanket, or adjust the room temperature. Keep in mind that you don't necessarily have to swaddle your baby. If you're weighing the risks and benefits and are unsure which way to go, ask your baby's healthcare provider for personalized advice. Your provider can also show you how to safely swaddle your baby. As a parent, you want your baby to sleep soundly, and swaddling is just one of the tools at your disposal in the early months. You can also play around with things like creating a soothing sleep routine and playing soft music to see what works best for your newborn. When the time comes to stop swaddling, you'll be able to look back at how far your baby has already come since that first night in your home.

How We Wrote This Article The information in this article is based on the expert advice found in trusted medical and government sources, such as the American Academy of Pediatrics and the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. You can find a full list of sources used for this article below. The content on this page should not replace professional medical advice. Always consult medical professionals for full diagnosis and treatment.

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