by Erica Threet from Sleep Wise Consulting

Dropping the swaddle…oh my gosh! How do you do it?

We get it - dropping the swaddle can be a scary thing, especially if your baby is sleeping well. Why rock the boat, right?

Before discussing how and when to drop the swaddle, we need to understand why we swaddle our babies and the benefits of swaddling.

Why do we swaddle our babies?

Babies are born with the Moro Reflex, aka the 'startle reflex.' The Moro Reflex is a response to a sudden loss of support. The Moro Reflex causes babies to startle unexpectedly while sleeping, which often wakes them up. Swaddling helps prevent these sudden movements.

What is swaddling?

Swaddling is when you wrap your baby firmly in a blanket or other swaddle pod with their arms by their sides or across their chests. It essentially restricts their movements.

Why do we swaddle babies?

• When done correctly, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) states that swaddling can be an effective technique to calm newborns and promote their sleep.

• Swaddling also helps babies transition from being in the womb's cozy, confined space to getting used to the outside world. It provides comfort, security, and warmth in the early months. The slight pressure of the swaddle around their bodies gives newborns a sense of security.

• Swaddling can also help calm a fussy baby.

Everything is great. My baby is finally sleeping.

Why do I need to stop swaddling?

• Once a baby can roll or shows signs of rolling, they need to be in full control of their body. It can be dangerous for a baby to sleep on their stomach without having access to their hands and arms. Being swaddle-free will ensure that they can get into a safe sleep position and prevent restriction of their airways.

• Does your baby love to suck on their hands? If so, having access to their hands could help them sleep better because it allows your baby to self-soothe.

• Long-term swaddle use could delay gross motor development. The restriction of movement means that babies may not reach age-appropriate developmental milestones. 

When should I stop swaddling my baby?

• We recommended starting the transition of dropping the swaddle at 8 weeks, with the goal of being swaddle-free by 12 weeks (3 months).

• If your baby starts to roll earlier than 12 weeks, you may need to begin that process sooner. Some babies will show signs of rolling as early as 8 weeks.

• If your baby mobile enough to kick out of their swaddle, then it's time to allow them to move freely with no restrictions.

• You definitely want your baby to be swaddle-free before the 4-month regression. Transitioning out of the swaddle while a major developmental milestone is occurring can be very difficult.

How can you best help your baby transition out of the swaddle?

1. Start with one sleep at a time. We recommend starting at bedtime when your baby is sleepy and is well-fed.

2. You can ease into removing the swaddle by taking one arm out for a few days and then slowly releasing the other arm. Once your baby is comfortable with both arms out, you can drop the swaddle altogether.

3. After he/she has mastered nighttime sleeping without a swaddle, go ahead and try to drop the swaddle during the daytime naps. The first nap is always the easiest. Start with this one and gradually work until all naps are swaddle-free.

4. If your baby is showing signs of rolling, you will have to remove the swaddle immediately. However, it could take your baby a couple of days to fully adjust to sleeping without a swaddle.

5. Your baby is swaddle-free; now what?

When your baby is finally out of the swaddle, they can begin to use a wearable blanket. You want to make sure your baby has full movement of their arms and body. You also want to avoid weighted sleep sacks that can restrict movement.

A wearable blanket is a safe alternative to having a blanket in the crib. The AAP recommends nothing in the crib the first year, so wearable blankets provide the warmth and comfort of sleeping with a blanket.

Recommended Wearable blankets and sleep sacks include:

• Zipadee Zip (Make sure baby is over 12lbs, can roll, and is over 3 months)

• Kyte Baby (Made from all-natural, hypoallergenic, and eco-friendly bamboo)

• Amazon basics sleep sack (A breathable, cotton baby wearable blanket)

• Aden and Anais (Made with two layers of lightweight cotton, it is an ultrasoft 100% breathable muslin wearable blanket)

• Halo sleepsack (Made from 100% cotton interlocking fabric, it offers just the right comfort for warmer seasons or climates, and can be layered with warmer sleepwear for cooler temperatures)

• Carter's sleepsack (Made from 100% imported Polyester, this sleep sack zips closed and is machine-washable)

• Shop Amazon and Create a Registry

When choosing a sleep sack for your baby, keep the following in mind:

• Fabric: Sleep sacks are available in a variety of materials. Make sure you pick one that is appropriate for the season.

• How long your baby will use it: Some sleep sacks are made for certain ages and stages, while others can be used as your baby grows.

• Size: Again, some sleep sacks are designed to grow as your baby grows, while others are a specific size. Make sure your baby has enough room to sleep comfortably in their sleep sack.

Sleep Sacks to avoid include:

• Merlin Suit: It is a weighted sleep sack that prevents your baby from rolling. While some parents use it as a swaddle-transition, but it prolongs your baby from learning how to be swaddle-free and roll on their own. It can also be dangerous because it prevents your baby from getting into a safe sleeping position if they do roll over while using this product.

• Dreamland Sleep Sack: This is another weighted sleep sack that can prevent your baby from getting into a safe sleeping position.

• Nested Bean: A weighted sleep sack that presents some of the same problems as above.

If you have any questions about establishing healthy sleep habits, routines or need help transitioning out of the swaddle, reach out for customized support and individual sleep plans.