If you’ve been following along for a while, you know that I’m a HUGE fan of swaddling newborns. Not only does swaddling keep babies snug, replicating that cozy feeling of being in the womb, but it helps calm the Moro Reflex (a reflex reaction of infants upon being startled that is characterized by extension of the arms and legs), so that your baby doesn’t wake themselves up in the middle of the night with flailing limbs.
As with all stages of infancy, it’s important to note when to stop swaddling. As soon as your baby starts showing signs of rolling, it’s time to stop. This is a safety precaution, as once your baby starts rolling, they will need their arms free in order to better position themselves if/when they become stomach sleepers. This typically happens between 8-16 weeks. This is a big range, but keep in mind that every baby is different.
There are three basic methods to transition out of the swaddle. Remember, there is no right or wrong, it’s just what works best for your baby. I’ve broken down the three ways to transition below.
Stop Cold turkey
It may sound harsh but, plenty of babies do just fine dropping the swaddle cold turkey and moving to an arms-out sleep sack. My favorite sleep sacks are Halo, Dreamland Baby, Nested Bean, Woolino, and Snuggybudy to name a few.
One Arm Out
If cold turkey feels too severe, then try one arm out of the swaddle first. I recommend giving it around 1-2 weeks, then taking the other arm out. Keep the belly swaddled and be patient. It can be a tough transition.
Use a Transitional Product
There are so many amazing products available for helping babies transition out of the swaddle. The Magic Merlin sleep suit (use code LOLO15 if you decide to purchase and get 15% off) and the Love to Dream 50/50 swaddle up are both great. I recommend dropping these products by 5 months at the latest. If you are doing formal sleep training before 5 months, then it’s best to drop the transitional product and sleep train your baby in a regular sleep sack. Remember that if your baby starts showing signs of rolling in the transitional product, then it’s time to drop it and move to the sleep sack.
Remember every baby is different! Some babies have a smooth and quick transition but others may struggle for several weeks. This is normal! Be patient with the process. You may have to keep swaddling for naps but transition out for nights and that’s ok.
If your baby is struggling with the transition and you’re looking for support through the process please reach out and schedule a consultation so we can get your baby on the right track. You can also download one of my sleep webinars to kickstart a training regime for your newborn, infant or toddler.