Using a sleep sack or a thin blanket to swaddle your baby can make them feel secure and help them sleep better. Swaddling keeps your baby from being disturbed by their own startle reflex and may help calm them during the newborn weeks, since it mimics the closeness and warmth of the womb. To reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome, stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of rolling over, usually around 3 or 4 months.
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Swaddling means snugly wrapping a baby in a blanket for warmth and security. It can keep your newborn from being awakened by their own startle reflex and stop them from hitting themselves in the face before they learn to control their arms.
Swaddling can help settle your baby down when they’re overstimulated or when they just need to feel something similar to the tightness and security of the womb.
If you choose to swaddle with a thin blanket, be sure you know how to do it correctly. These days, you probably won’t leave the hospital without a lesson in this technique. You want to make sure the swaddle isn’t too tight or too loose, and that there’s enough room at the bottom of the swaddle so your baby can bend their legs up and out from their body.
Swaddling can be harmful when done incorrectly: Tightly wrapping your baby’s legs straight down may loosen the joints and damage the soft cartilage of the hip sockets, leading to hip dysplasia.
Developmental hip dysplasia is relatively common in newborns. Your doctor will screen your baby at birth and at well-child visits for the condition. Family history, breech delivery, and being a girl put your baby at greater risk for hip dysplasia.
If you prefer a foolproof swaddling option, you can use a swaddle bag or sack instead of a blanket. These make it super easy to keep your baby safe, warm, and calm. You don’t have to master a swaddling technique, just fasten your baby’s arms in place (usually with Velcro). Both thin swaddling blankets and swaddle sacks are safe for babies when used correctly.
You’ve probably heard not to let your baby sleep with a blanket before they’re 12 months old. This is one of many safe sleep recommendations that can decrease the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). For the same reason, never use a thick blanket when swaddling your baby (it could come unwrapped and cover their face). When done the right way, however, swaddling is perfectly safe for your baby.
How to swaddle a baby
Here’s how to use a swaddling blanket. For a visual aid, see our video on how to swaddle a baby.
- Lay the blanket on a flat surface like a diamond and fold down the top corner about 6 inches to form a straight edge.
- Place your baby on their back so the top of the fabric is at shoulder level.
- Bring your baby’s left arm down. Pull the corner of the blanket near their left hand over their arm and chest, and tuck the leading edge under their back on the right side.
- Bring your baby’s right arm down. Pull the corner of the blanket near their right hand over their arm and chest, and tuck the cloth under their left side.
- Twist or fold the bottom end of the blanket and tuck it loosely behind your baby, making sure that both legs can bend up and out from their body, their hips can move, and their legs can spread apart naturally. If you can get at least two fingers between your baby’s chest and the swaddle, it’s the right tightness.
- Always lay your baby down on their back to sleep, especially when swaddled. This important step significantly reduces the risk of SIDS.
When to stop swaddling
Experts recommend you stop swaddling when your baby starts trying to roll over. Babies usually roll over around 3 or 4 months, but could start doing this as early as 2 months old. Their kicks become more forceful, and they may be able to roll from their back to their tummies. When this happens, stop swaddling immediately.
Your baby’s sleep might suffer when you stop swaddling. After all, they’re used to the cozy, tight-fitting feel of a swaddle. To help ease this transition away from the swaddle, you can try swaddling your baby with one or both arms out at 1 or 2 months old – some time before you’ve noticed them trying to roll over.
Once your baby is rolling, use a sleep sack that allows your baby’s arms to move freely. They’ll appreciate the feeling of still being contained and cozy. Make sure to choose a sleep sack that’s the correct size for your baby based on their weight. Too small could restrict your baby’s movement, and too big could pose a suffocation risk. Cotton or muslin sleep sacks work well in warmer climates, and fleece offers more warmth in winter.
Always put your baby to sleep on their back, even after you stop swaddling. It’s okay to let your baby sleep on their belly if they roll over while sleeping, though.
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