Swaddling
Let's talk about swaddling.
There is so much to say when it comes to this topic, but I am super excited to finally talk about it here with you!
Throughout history, swaddling has long been the common wrap for infants. Cultures throughout the world have swaddled their babies for a variety of reasons, for example, some cultures swaddled in order to help a baby’s arms and legs grow straight, in other cultures they swaddled to try and prevent baby from becoming hunchback. Other cultures swaddled in order to keep babies from hitting and scratching their faces, and so on…But the main reason we swaddle today is to prevent babies from startling themselves awake (in other words, inhibiting the startle reflex). And just for your own reference, the startle reflex starts to taper off at around 2-3 months of age, give or take.
Before we get into it, I just wanna say that I know there are many moms out there who are skeptical of swaddling or who may be on the fence about it for whatever reason, but I do highly recommend it for babies 0-12 weeks of age (no later than 16 weeks). It's such a helpful tool to help babies calm down, stay calm, reduce fussiness, feel settled, sleep more soundly, etc...
The benefits of swaddling:
Reduces the startle (moro) reflex
Calms fussy babies
Keeps baby feeling snug and cozy
Prevents babies from scratching & hitting their faces
Mimics the environment of the womb
Calms colicky babies
Wondering what swaddling looks like in the first 3 months? Let me show you.
There are many different ways to swaddle and so many different swaddles out there to choose from (which we will get into later) Let me walk you through swaddling in the first 3 months and how that changes from week to week.
Weeks 0-6:
You can really use whatever you want but I love the traditional swaddle blanket. They don't bust out as much, especially if you wrap your baby properly.
Weeks 0-6:
I also love using an easy velcro swaddle (like the swaddle me for newborns) that I can throw on for naps. Yes, baby can bust out a lot quicker in a wrap that just has small velcro fastens/wings, but they're easy to throw on and an easy alternative to the traditional swaddle.
Weeks 6-12:
At this point your baby is likely busting out of the traditional swaddle and you may be wondering what to do next, especially if you aren't quite ready to get rid of the swaddle completely. I personally love the halo sleepsack swaddle. It has never failed me. It has a zipper and then VERY strong velcro and thick wings to keep those little baby hands securely inside and from busting out. There are a million brands, I have tried many and the Halo is my favorite. I've had the same one for 9 years - used for 4 kids and the velcro is still going strong!
Weeks 8-12:
You can start using whichever velcro swaddle you are using to transition your baby out of it. Start leaving one arm out for naps and then by 10 weeks you can alternate arms or also start leaving one arm out for bedtime as well so that by 12 weeks your baby will be comfortable with both arms out.
Weeks 12 and up:
Time to transition to a regular sleep sack! Or not, if you prefer not to use one at all. A sleep sack is a nice way to transition your baby from the swaddle. It will keep them warm and secure and it can be helpful for babies who are having an exceptionally hard time parting with their swaddle. For this baby, I do recommend a swaddle that fits more snug so that they still have that swaddle- like feeling. For other babies you can simply use any sleep sack that you like. I will talk about sleep sacks in another post.
When to transition out of the swaddle:
Here’s the criteria…
When baby begins rolling. This can happen as early as 8 weeks.
At around 12 weeks old, generally no later than 14-16 weeks.
If your baby is constantly breaking out of the swaddle.
How to transition baby out of the swaddle:
This can be a very emotional time for parents when they realize that their newborn is slowly graduating that newborn stage and entering the real world of babyhood. And it’s really hard to let go of the swaddle! I know, I have been there before. You want to save every minute of that stage because it just went by so fast.
It’s also a really intimidating time for parents because they are usually unsure of what’s going to happen once that swaddle comes off. They are flooded with thoughts wondering if it will ruin their baby’s sleep, if their baby will be comfortable without it, how it’s going to work, etc...They can’t imagine their baby sleeping without it. I totally get It, any transition is scary especially when there is so much unknown.
I will tell you, though, that it’s not as scary as it seems. When you get to the stage where its time to remove the swaddle, babies are ready for it, they’re ready to be free to roam around the crib, to explore their space more freely and to have the ability to be completely mobile. And this is very healthy for them, we want to provide this for them and they want it as well.
At some point, the swaddle isn’t comfortable or conducive anymore and it may even start to hinder their sleep rather than help it - especially if they’re kept in it for way too long when they’re already becoming much more mobile. Yes, it may take some time for your little one to get used to life without the swaddle, but it’s usually a relatively quick transition and for some babies, there’s no transition at all.
I’ll share a little secret with you; Babies are so resilient and so capable of finding a cozy and comfortable spot in the crib and they will do this without the swaddle. They will roll around until they find a corner or a position that they like to be in and they will learn to sleep this way just like they learned to sleep in the swaddle.
So whether you go cold turkey or choose to transition your baby out of it slowly - they all get there, they all love it and they all adjust.
Let’s talk about how to do it…
Start transitioning out of the swaddle when baby shows their first signs of rolling. This can be as early as 8-10 weeks.
Start swaddling with one arm out. You can start with naps for a few days and alternate with the other arm.
Then move onto bedtime. Once you've been unswaddling their arm for naps for a few days, then you can start doing this at bedtime.
By 12-14 weeks, transition into a fitted sleep sack. This will keep them warm and cozy and still give them that snug & secure feeling.
You can also go cold turkey with the swaddle. You can opt to skip the transition phase and just take off the swaddle when you're ready. Your baby will adjust without it just fine. Some may have an easier time than others.
“But my baby hates the swaddle”
Does your baby have a difficult time with the swaddle? Does she constantly cry when you try to swaddle her? If this is your baby read on.
Often enough I hear from parents how much their baby hates the swaddle. It either doesn’t work for them or their baby cries too much or they just don’t sleep well being so confined. Whatever the reason is, I hear you. I, too, thought this once upon a time with my first.
The truth is, that yes, there are for sure some babies who do sleep better without the swaddle, but for the most part I see that most babies love it when it’s done properly and at the right time.
Swaddling your baby when he is already in a full blown state of crying will make him cry a lot more and make it harder for him to calm down. They’re already at the point of being overtired, overstimulated and just want to sleep, so yes, fidgeting with them and wrestling them into a swaddle would make any parent think that the swaddle is the issue. Get the timing right! Swaddle your baby before he or she escalates and before the point of no return.
If your baby still cries every time you attempt the swaddle, trudge through! You’ll see that it’s way easier to calm them down once swaddled and once they’re picked up. Pick your baby up, turn the lights off and the noise machine on and sway, shush, rock sing to your baby to help them calm down. This usually does the trick!
And then there’s the art of swaddling. Yes, there’s an art! We will go into way more detail about it in another post but for now, make sure you’re using a large enough blanket, do it tight enough where baby has just enough room to wriggle their arms around and they can’t get out but not too tight that they literally can’t budge. Their legs and hips should have plenty of mobility as well.
Babies may not like the process of being swaddled and will wriggle, squirm, cry or flail their arms and legs in protest. But once swaddled, pick them up to calm them, shush and gently sway them in your arms in a dark room, as this usually calms them down. Then put them down to sleep.
It’s all about the timing and the art of the swaddle…
1. Try swaddling your baby before they become overtired. Swaddle before you see they’re starting to escalate into full blown crying. Swaddle at the first signs of sleepiness and preferably in a dark room.
2. Learn the art of swaddling. Swaddle tightly and with a fabric large enough to properly wrap your baby. Either a Velcro swaddle or a large 45 x 45 square.
My top swaddling tips:
Use a large cotton flannel blanket when using a traditional swaddle. Preferably a 45 x45 blanket.
Swaddle snugly, with arms slightly tucked under their hips (a trick I learned). The level of tightness should be at the elbows to allow for proper breathing.
Allow for plenty of mobility in the legs and hips to ensure proper hip development.
Swaddle away from baby’s mouth/cheek/chin area to prevent triggering the rooting reflex and to prevent it from going over baby’s face should he wriggle out of it.
Try a batwing swaddle for extra hold in the arms if you have an exceptionally wriggly baby who busts out easily. You can also buy a swaddle that has Velcro straps on the inside to better secure the arms.
You don’t need to spend a ton of money on swaddles. There are plenty of affordable options out there.
Arguments against swaddling:
Swaddling inhibits learning and development
In fact, the opposite is true. A newborn can become overstimulated very easily and swaddling helps them settle down and helps him learn to use his senses more effectively, making the infant calm and focused at the same time.Swaddling is old fashioned and primitive.
Swaddling is an ancient art which has proved to be very effective, and it has been been passed down for centuries. Current studies have shown it is a very effective transition from the womb into real life.
Swaddling will cause improper hip development:
If swaddled properly, there is ample room for movement of the hips and legs. A proper swaddle should be snug in the arm and chest area.
Swaddling will cause baby to become dependent on it in order to sleep:
This can happen, however, at some point your infant will begin to enjoy being out of the swaddle to move about freely and explore in her crib. You can transition your baby out of the swaddle at any time and they will sleep just fine.
My baby may be uncomfortable with his arms tied down:
For the last 9 months the baby was in a confined, tight space, this is the only position they are familiar with and it makes them feel safe and secure.
What about premature babies?
Here’s a tip for all of premature babies out there who also love and benefit from being swaddled. Yes, you should absolutely swaddle your premature infant, and in fact there’s a way to do it.
Just like full term babies, it’s also recommended to swaddle premature babies but this time we are going to swaddle baby’s arms upward, in front of them over their stomach or chest. Some even suggest to position their legs tucked up as well.
Why, though?
I know it’s confusing, but premature babies were in utero in this position and this is the most comfortable and developmentally appropriate position for them to be in. We are literally mimicking the exact same position they were in in the womb and we want to make them feel as safe and secure as possible when they enter the world.
Premature babies should have their arms swaddled up over their stomach or across their chest, not down by their sides. Your premature baby had his hands upward, in front of him or across his chest in utero, so the most developmentally appropriate and most comfortable way for them to be swaddled is with their arms positioned this way.
And lastly, I wanted to just mention a couple of swaddling safety considerations to keep in mind.
Always swaddle babies on their backs! Never swaddle your infant and then place them down on their bellies. I know this seems like an obvious duh, but I have heard this happening way too often to not mention it.
The temperature in the room should be comfortable and anywhere between 68-73 degrees. A room that gets too warm can cause babies to easily overheat and increase the risk of SIDS. Always be mindful when dressing or layering your baby underneath the swaddle.
I hope you guys found this post helpful! Bye for now and happy swaddling.