When to Stop Swaddling a Baby – Signs to Watch Out For

Swaddling a baby can help soothe them when they are fussy and give them the feeling of the mother’s womb. Swaddling a baby also soothes them through the startle reflex and helps them sleep for longer stretches. This technique is truly a lifesaver for new parents, but it can’t continue forever. Swaddling is no doubt helpful up to a certain age, but once a baby grows older and becomes mobile, you’ve to transition him out of it for his health and safety. Knowing when to stop swaddling a baby and start the transition can be a game changer for parents as well as children because transition at the right time will ensure proper care and nutrition.

Why Is Swaddling Important?

Swaddling is a technique of wrapping up the baby with a soft cloth or baby blanket in such a way that his arms and legs are securely tucked inside the blanket, and only his head stays out of the blanket. Many mothers prefer swaddling to comfort, keep warm, and soothe their babies (1) (2). Some other reasons why it is important are:

• It helps a baby sleep peacefully for longer periods of time.
• It is helpful in reducing anxiety in babies by giving them a comforting feeling.
• Many babies get startled in their sleep, which may result in waking up. Swaddling makes them feel secure and thus less likely to wake up in the middle of the night.
• Swaddling makes a baby settle back to sleep.
• It is also a great way of self-soothing for babies, and the best position for this is “hands over the heart”.
• It is an effective way of mimicking touch for the babies.
• It will keep your baby from scratching his own face while sleeping.
• It is also helpful for the parents as they also get to sleep for long hours.
• It may help prevent colic in babies.

Though swaddling may have many benefits for your baby, you cannot continue to practice it forever. You should stop swaddling your baby after a while. In the following paragraphs, we shall discuss when and how to do it.

When Should You Stop Swaddling Your Baby?

Many moms wonder, ‘How to know when to stop swaddling baby?’ Here are some guidelines on when to stop swaddling a baby (and when not to):

• You can stop swaddling your baby when he turns around 3 or 4 months old.
• When the baby shows signs of rolling, swaddling should no longer be used (3).
• Sometimes you may notice that your baby will try to break free from the swaddle. This does not mean you should stop swaddling. This could be due to two reasons: loose swaddling or the wrong size of the blanket. However, if your baby still breaks free, then it may be time to stop swaddling.
• If your baby suffers from Moro reflex, a condition where a baby gets startled in his sleep, then do not stop swaddling. A baby does not outgrow this reflex until four to five months of age. It is recommended that you do not wean your baby from swaddling earlier than this, as he may wake up at night.
• Make sure your baby is not swaddled all day long, even when he is awake. Swaddling a newborn baby for longer durations is still fine, as he spends most of the time sleeping. It is also very important for the baby to move his limbs to develop his gross motor skills. Therefore, it will be a good idea not to swaddle your baby when he is not sleeping.
• You should never put your baby in a face-down swaddling position. They should be placed on their back. However, if your baby is able to roll on his own, then it is a good indication to stop swaddling (4).
• Before you begin sleep-training your baby, you should stop swaddling because sleep training involves self-soothing. And if you practise swaddling along with sleep training, then it may confuse your baby.

How Can You Stop Swaddling Your Infant?

If your baby is not too dependent on swaddling to fall asleep, then the swaddle transition may not be difficult for you to manage, and your baby will gradually adapt to it. However, if your baby is greatly dependent on swaddling, then you may find it a bit of a task. Here we shall discuss how you can stop swaddling your infant:

• The first and foremost thing to remember is that you don’t stop swaddling all of a sudden. Any sudden change may not be accepted by your baby. The best approach to stop swaddling is to do it slowly.
• You can begin by keeping one arm of your baby out of the blanket. After a few days, you can keep both arms outside the blanket.
• Later, you can start by keeping one leg out of the blanket and then both legs out of the blanket.
• You can also replace the covering blanket with a wearable blanket. There are many options available in the market to choose from.
• It is also a good idea to stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of rolling over or feels cranky in a swaddled state.
• It is also recommended that you start swaddling early because once your baby gets used to it, you may find it difficult to transition him out of it.

How Can You Help Your Baby Sleep Without a Swaddle?

There are several ways of making the transition from having your baby sleep without a swaddle.

1. Establishing a Bedtime Routine

Creating a safe space with a specific bedtime routine for your child will ensure an easy transition from sleeping in a swaddle to sleeping without one. Make a routine and follow it diligently so that your baby understands the concept of day and night and when to play and sleep. This way, they’ll doze off easily. Your baby’s bedtime routine may start with having a relaxing bath, a baby massage, feeding, burping, and ending with listening to a story or a lullaby in a soothing voice.

2. White Noise

White noise is a blessing for parents, especially those with difficult children who have trouble sleeping at night (5). It helps babies transition smoothly from sleeping in a swaddle to not in one. White noise is basically a tuned noise that helps babies sleep as it somewhat mimics the noise babies used to hear when they were inside the womb. The noise emitted from the white noise machine is pacifying and calming. You can either have a white noise machine or use household items for producing white noise, like turning on the fan, or putting the radio on static that emits tuned-off noise.

FAQs

1. Is it fine to stop swaddling at 6 weeks?

Swaddling a baby is a personal choice of parents. It is okay to stop swaddling at 6 weeks as long as the babies’ needs and comfort are taken care of. Red Nose Australia recommends sleeping in the same room as your baby for the first six to 12 months to care for and keep an eye on the baby and prevent the risk of SIDS. Co-sleeping on the same bed should not be done.  Always make sure that your little one sleeps on their back and their cot or bassinet is free from any toys, loose objects, blankets, or pillows (6).

2. Is it okay to swaddle 6-month-old babies?

Parents must remember that swaddling should be done according to the baby’s development stage rather than the age. You must stop swaddling babies when they show signs of pulling themselves up onto their hands or rolling over (7). These signs are usually seen between two and six months of age.

3. How much time will it take for babies to sleep without a swaddle?

Knowing when to stop swaddling a baby at night is essential for parents. It can take about two to three nights for babies to become familiar with the adjustment. You can start by pulling one arm out of the swaddle for two to three nights and gradually do the same for the second arm for the same amount of time. Give your baby time to adjust to the new posture of sleeping and get accustomed to it.

It is important to remember that whenever you stop swaddling your baby, your baby will fuss and act cranky. But that shouldn’t stop you from helping him transition out of it, as swaddling your baby for longer than necessary may not be good for his growth.

Usually, it may take a week or two at max for your baby to make the transition from swaddling to normal sleeping. This is normal, and your baby may feel settled into his new routine very soon. However, if your baby is not able to sleep through the night or if there are some other sleep-related problems that concern you, you should get in touch with your baby’s doctor for the same.

References/Resources:

1. American Academy of Pediatrics – Swaddling: Is it Safe for Your Baby?

2. Nemours KidsHealth – A Guide for First-Time Parents

3. AAP Publications – SIDS and Other Sleep-Related Infant Deaths: Updated 2016 Recommendations for a Safe Infant Sleeping Environment

4. American Academy of Pediatrics – How to Keep Your Sleeping Baby Safe: AAP Policy Explained

5. PubMed – White noise and sleep induction

6. Red Nose Australia – What Steps Can I Take to Sleep My Baby Safely?

7. PubMed Central – Infant Deaths and Injuries Associated with Wearable Blankets, Swaddle Wraps, and Swaddling

Also Read: 

Swaddle Bath
How to Swaddle a Baby
Tricks for Swaddling a Newborn in Summer