As a parent, if you are lucky enough to have a baby that takes to a swaddle and is able to sleep in and be comforted by it, then you pretty much view the swaddle as a complete lifesaver. Swaddling a newborn can help keep them asleep longer and help soothe them to sleep faster to allow you to get more rest on average than without a swaddle. However, like all good things, the swaddling window is relatively short and it too must end. In today’s article, we’re going to talk about signs that your baby might be ready to ditch the swaddle and how you can adjust to other sleeping methods so that your baby is still just as comfortable and safe and happy. And we hope that you are too! As always, please sound off in the comments to let us know about your experiences with this subject and how you have approached transitioning away from swaddling for your baby.
Know The Signs Of Needing To Stop Swaddling Your Child (Important For Safety!)
Yes, for some babies, swaddling is the answer to our prayers, but it isn’t a permanent solution. The swaddle is only safe to sleep your child in for about 3 to 5 months, depending on a few factors. Here are some things to look for to know that your child is close to needing to transition from the swaddle, the biggest factor being their ability to roll over from their back to their stomach:
- Look for signs of rolling during tummy time.
- Can they get up onto one or more shoulders during tummy time?
- How is their head control? If they can lift their head and shoulders during tummy time, then they may be starting to roll over.
- Are they rocking with their hips or trying to roll over during tummy time?
- Can they lift their hips up with their legs while lying flat?
- When on their back, is baby starting to twist to the side and or push with one foot on the ground?
Here Is A Tentative Schedule To Follow For Transitioning Your Child From Swaddle To Sleep Sack
If you notice that your baby is ready to stop being tightly swaddled with both of their arms in, then we suggest the following schedule or routine in order to help them safely and effectively go from arms in swaddling to arms out sleep sack sleeping.
Birth To 3 Months:
Arms in swaddle – Halo (1.5 Tog room temp 70-72 degrees): https://amzn.to/3YVpjXb
Arms in swaddle – Halo (3 Tog room temp 69 degrees or cooler): https://amzn.to/46b0sRJ
Here is an informational IG video on how to safely use these swaddles.
Transition From Arms In Swaddle At Approximately 3 To 4.5 Months Depending On Your Child’s Ability To Roll As Outlined Above:
Transition suit (approx 3-4.5 months, pending rolling) – https://amzn.to/3s3jc7h
Once Your Baby Has Gone Completely Away From Swaddling, We Recommend These Sleep Sacks That Perform A Similar Role In Helping Them Stay Comforted:
Arms out sleep sack option 1: https://amzn.to/47TLCk1
Arms out sleep sack option 2: https://amzn.to/3EiIYGW
Before You Go
We hope you enjoyed learning about tips for transitioning your child away from a swaddle at night. If you would like to know more about this, our sleep programs or any of our excellent newborn care services, we are happy to help. Just contact us and we can go over your options and help you find the best path for your little one. We hope these tips have helped you along your journey. If you have any questions about helping your baby to sleep better, 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 always look forward to hearing from you.
