When Should A Baby Transition Out Of A Swaddle?

Swaddles. It’s a funny word, but boy do they work miracles! Swaddles can often be the deciding factor in whether or not your little one will get restful naps and night time sleep on a regular basis. We have seen with our very eyes on many occasions a swaddle take a crying frantic baby and turn them into a calm, sleepy puddle of cuteness in mere minutes. Are they magic? Who really knows…. But, today we’re going to talk about swaddles and especially how to transition your child into and out of one. Tell us in the comments about your experiences with swaddles and if you’ve ever seen a baby not take to a swaddle like others have. We know it happens! Now, let’s get on with the article. 

What Exactly Is Swaddling?

The practice of swaddling has been around for thousands of years. The earliest known records of the practice date back to 4000 BC. Today, about 20% of all babies are swaddled regularly in the first four months of life. Swaddling is the act of tightly wrapping your infant’s arms and legs (their whole body really) in a tight yet soft and warm blanket that has some elasticity to it. The baby is snuggly wrapped up in a blanket so that their arms and legs are held imoble and they have even pressure around most of their body from the neck down. The idea is that the compression of the child’s limbs and body mimics that of the mother’s womb. Since that was the first and most comforting environment that the infant has known, returning to that can help calm them and help them transition to life outside of the womb. 

When Should You Start Swaddling Your Baby?

It’s really up to you and your preferences as a parent, but a newborn can be swaddled the first days and weeks after being born. You just have to be very cautious and gentle the first few days and keep a close eye on them to make sure they don’t get caught up in the fabric, but it is generally ok to start swaddling your baby right away if you’d like to and if you’re comfortable with it. It’s up to you!

When Should You Transition Your Baby Out Of The Swaddle?

This is a tough one as every baby is different, but here are some things you can look for to help you know it is time to finally transition away from the swaddle. The first thing to look for is if your child is showing signs of being able to roll onto their back and side while laying down. For the first 4 or 5 months, your child can be swaddled with their arms in. After that, then you will want to transition them to arms out swaddling for a time. Generally when working with clients, we are working to phase out full arms in swaddling between 3-4 months and have the baby moving into transitionary swaddles with either one or both arms out. Eventually, the baby will be in an arms free sleep sack around 5 or so months.

In Conclusion
The swaddling journey can definitely have its ups and downs. We are here to help and want to make the process as easy as possible. We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions about helping your baby to sleep better, finding adequate and professional newborn care help, or about your baby in general, please reach out to us HERE. We are experts in all things baby and sleep and would love to help!

If you have questions about your child, please don’t hesitate to contact us. We would love to help. Please reach out to us here! We look forward to hearing from you.  

The content contained in this blog is for informational and educational purposes only. It is not intended as medical advice or to replace the advice of any medical professional. It is based on our opinions and experience working with newborns and their families. Other’s opinions may vary. It does not represent the views of any affiliated organizations. The reader understands that the term “Babynurse” is often a word used to describe a newborn caregiver. However, unless otherwise disclosed, we are not licensed nurses in any state. By reading and/or utilizing any information or suggestions contained in this blog, the reader acknowledges that we are not medical professionals and agrees to and waives any claim, known or unknown, past, present or future. This blog may contain affiliate links.

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