A swaddle that is too tight can restrict breathing, but one that is too loose may unravel and put the baby at risk of asphyxiation. Caregivers can avoid this altogether by purchasing swaddle wraps with snaps or Velcro or they can follow the AAP's six steps to a safe swaddle (infographic courtesy of Allina Health).
There are some risks when swaddling. If baby is placed on, or rolls to, the tummy while swaddled, baby may be unable to breathe. If baby is swaddled with a blanket, it could come loose and become a suffocation hazard. Swaddling could also cause baby to overheat.
If a baby is swaddled too tight around the chest, he may not have enough space to breathe freely. Swaddling once a baby can roll over. If a swaddled baby rolls over to her stomach, this increases the risk for SIDS because it is less likely that she will be able to roll back over to her back.
Babies don't have to be swaddled. If your baby is happy without swaddling, don't bother. Always put your baby to sleep on his back. This is true no matter what, but is especially true if he is swaddled.
You should stop swaddling your baby when they start to roll over. That's typically between two and four months. During this time, your baby might be able to roll onto their tummy, but not be able to roll back over. This can raise their risk of SIDs.
Babies don't need to be swaddled to be healthy and happy. If your baby is happy without swaddling, that's great news.
The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends parents keep their babies swaddled for 12–20 hours per day for the first few weeks after birth. This relaxes babies. Swaddling a baby correctly also protects her from overheating, injuries and sudden infant death syndrome, or SIDS.
The swaddle suppresses their startle (moro) reflex and recreates the cozy feeling of being in the womb. Sadly though, there will come a day when you need to say goodbye to the swaddle and this can cause some disruption to your little one's settling and sleep.
Q: Does swaddling make gas worse? A: Swaddling can help soothe some fussy babies who would otherwise be ingesting air from crying. However, for other babies, the reverse may be true and they may fight the swaddle.
Many Parents Swaddle Incorrectly!
Well, the most common swaddling mistake is not swaddling tight enough. Many parents are afraid of swaddling too snugly. When your baby is loosely swaddled, she will most likely bust her arms out and startle herself awake.
Too tight a swaddle could also present the risk of hip dysplasia (an abnormality in which the thigh bone does not fit together with the pelvis). Be sure to swaddle properly with hip-healthy techniques making sure that your baby is able to move her hips and knees. Her legs should be able to kick freely, too.
"Swaddling can increase the chance your baby will overheat, so avoid letting your baby get too hot. The baby could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, and rapid breathing."
Most babies will accept sleep without a swaddle within a couple of weeks. Products such as sleep sacks can help ease the swaddle transition.
Don't leave the baby swaddled all the time, simply use it as a signal for sleep. Allow some room for free movement when they are awake and you're playing. By keeping the swaddle for sleepy times you're creating associations that'll help your baby sleep better.
If it is warm outside, putting your baby in a diaper underneath the swaddle may just be enough. If however, the temperature is cold, it's a good idea to put baby in a short or long sleeved onesie or even footy pajamas to ensure that baby is kept warm.
Conclusion: Swaddling with arms out
But if you notice that her arms just keep coming out of the swaddle, don't panic! It's okay for her to sleep with one or both arms out of the swaddle as long as she's not yet rolling over and/or able to move the swaddle blanket up around her face.
Allow baby to be exposed to some noise while napping. If baby is able to tolerate some background noise, he or she will be less likely to startle at sudden changes in noise or position.
Swaddling protects your baby against their natural startle reflex, which means better sleep for both of you. It may help calm a colicky baby. It helps eliminate anxiety in your baby by imitating your touch, which helps your baby learn to self-sooth. It keeps her hands off her face and helps prevent scratching.
If your baby can roll over at 2 months, be sure to stop swaddling entirely. Unfortunately, there aren't any swaddle transition products that are safe for a rolling 2-month old baby. A 2-month old baby is too young for the Zipadee Zip. (Baby should be at least 3 months old and weigh at least 12 lbs).
While swaddling is a great way to soothe and comfort your baby, it can become a habitual sleep association that prevents your baby from sleeping through the night. By keeping your baby swaddled, they may struggle to learn a way to self-soothe.
A key way to practice safe swaddling is to make sure you're using a proper blanket. You want to use a thin, breathable fabric like aden + anais's cotton muslin swaddle. Cotton muslin blankets are an excellent choice because they are extremely breathable and help to prevent overheating.
Some child care centers ban swaddling
Swaddling has become the subject of controversy. In 2011, the National Resource Center for Health and Safety in Child Care and Early Education recommended against swaddling, saying it could increase the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).