If you’re a first-time parent or new to the conversation around baby sleep, the term “swaddle” may conjure up thoughts of ancient mangers or something akin to a duck’s walk, but swaddling is simply the practice of securely and tightly wrapping an infant in a cloth blanket. The idea is that the tight, secure feeling will mimic the womb (which was quite cramped, if we’re being honest) and also dampen the Moro reflex, or the startle reflex, that will often wake new babies from sleep.

While swaddling isn’t really a magic trick, it can feel like one. It’s a wonderful way to calm a fussy baby whose limbs are flailing, by tucking each one close to the body and wrapping everything up snugly and warmly. In a new baby’s mind, that feels like the home they had for about 40 weeks, a familiar and calming environment. For newborns, swaddling can be a key piece of the puzzle in promoting healthy sleep during the first few weeks of life.

What are we going for when we swaddle?

To mimic the womb, we want the swaddle to be tight in some places while leaving room for movement in others. We want baby to be able to breathe freely (obviously), have their arms pressed closely to their body around their elbows, and be able to move their hips all around.

There are MANY swaddles out there, and you can choose whatever type you’d like to use. The two key features to consider are:

Size: We want to ensure it’s not too big or too small. Too much fabric can pose a risk to the child, and too little fabric may prevent you from getting the right fit.
Fit: We want to be able to make it tight enough so that baby can’t easily wiggle out. When using a blanket-style swaddle, we want to choose swaddles with slightly “grippy” fabric; if using a style with Velcro, fit can be a little easier to master.

What kind of swaddle should I use?

For the super-early newborn days, I recommend a swaddle blanket or wrap/Velcro-style that allows a baby’s arms to be tucked down next to their body versus an arms-up transitional swaddle. In my opinion, this is much more effective in lessening the Moro reflex.

These are a few I like, but you can truly use any kind you want. (None of these are affiliate links or sponsored products—I just like them!)

Cloud Island Muslin Swaddle Blankets

Pros: They’re a 47-inch square, plenty big enough to swaddle a newborn but not overly huge. They can also double as anything you need them to be: burp cloth, changing pad, tissue, picnic blanket, and more. The fabric is lightweight and great for warmer climates.

Cons: They might be too thin in colder months.

Moms on Call Swaddle Blanket

Pros: They’re a 48-inch square, nice and big to get a tight fit but not feel like you’re running out of fabric. They’re made of a lightweight cotton flannel that grips extremely well, preventing particularly Houdini-esque babies from easily escaping. The fabric also offers a layer of warmth in colder months.

Cons: They might be too heavy in warmer months, but you can always adjust what baby wears underneath the swaddle blanket to balance this.

SwaddleMe by Ingenuity Velcro/Wrap Swaddle

Pros: These swaddles come in multiple sizes, so you can more closely gauge the size and fit you need for your baby based on their current weight. They’re lightweight, and the Velcro is strong to ensure a tight fit around the elbows while allowing for free hip movement.

Cons: After repeated machine-washing and drying, the fabric can stretch and the Velcro can weaken, allowing baby to more easily push out. I have personally found that it also coincides with when baby needs the next size up.

Other swaddles that I have NOT personally used but come highly recommended by sleep consultants and professional caregivers:

The Miracle Blanket: Has a similar vibe to the SwaddleMe swaddles but does not use any Velcro, zippers, or snaps.

The Ollie Swaddle: A super-simple blanket-like design with strong Velcro loops for a tight fit around the arms and elbows.

How should I swaddle?

Swaddling is best understood after you’ve watched someone do it! Then, practice to give yourself confidence. I recommend practicing on a stuffed animal or baby doll so you can take your time and think through each step. Once you feel confident, you can try it out on a real baby!

Here is my favorite demonstration for how to swaddle a baby using a blanket.

Some key takeaways from this demo:

Wrap it tighter than you think you should.
Make sure you can slip two fingers inside the top of the swaddle to ensure that baby can breathe freely.
Keep tightness around the arms and elbows, aiming to have the hands tucked slightly under the bottom.
Allow the hips to have a full range of motion.

Another awesome demonstration (not a video but has pictures!) comes from The Happiest Baby on the Block’s website, happiestbaby.com.

Most wrap/Velcro-style products are fairly straight-forward and have their own demonstrations on their individual product pages.

What do I do if my child hates the swaddle?

Can I tell you a secret? Your baby doesn’t hate the swaddle. :-)

If your baby is already upset while you’re trying to swaddle them, they will very likely fuss and cry even louder when you’re trying to swaddle them. This is normal. It doesn’t always mean that they hate the swaddle, that they want their hands free, or that they’re in pain or uncomfortable. Their bodies feel out of control, and wrapping their arms snugly in a swaddle sets them on the path toward peace and allows you to make a better decision about what they actually need.

As shown in the video demo above, we want to couple swaddling with other soothing techniques. Give them a few minutes to calm down after you’ve properly swaddled them, adding in other techniques like rocking or shushing. Swaddling is the first step toward calm, so it’s always worth trying.

When do I stop swaddling my child?

We immediately remove the swaddle when the baby shows signs of rolling or actually rolls (in either direction). For most, this happens somewhere in the 4-6 month range, but it can happen earlier or later.

If they are consistently breaking out of the swaddle, make sure to size up if you can if using a wrap/Velcro swaddle. If they still continue to break out regularly, it’s time to remove the swaddle.

For younger babies who outgrow their traditional swaddle but still have a strong startle reflex, transitional swaddles are excellent options, allowing the arms to be free/up while still muffling the Moro reflex. I like the Love to Dream arms-up swaddle and the Baby Merlin Magic Sleepsuit. Both need to be replaced with a sleep sack once baby begins to roll.

Sleep sacks are what I recommend next for babies who are rolling!

What if sleep is chaotic, with or without the swaddle?

This is where Beloved Baby Sleep can help. Not only can we help perfect your swaddling technique, but we can troubleshoot all other areas of your baby’s routine and sleep patterns to promote more restful nights and smoother days.

If your child is 12 weeks or younger, consider our Newborn Sleep-Shaping service, complete with a guide to reference and a consultation call.

If your child is older than 12 weeks, our Two-Week Sleep Support service is for you, encouraging independent sleep habits and better sleep for the whole family.

We’re here when you’re ready!

Please note that I am not a medical professional, and this blog post is not meant to serve as medical advice, a diagnosis, or any form of treatment. If you have any questions or concerns, please discuss them with your child’s pediatrician.

Sources:

Harvey Karp, M.D. The Happiest Baby on the Block: Chapter 8, 1st S: Swaddling—A Feeling of Pure “WRAPture”, 2015.

Rachel Y. Moon, MD, FAAP & Danette Glassy, MD, FAAP. “Swaddling: Is It Safe for Your Baby"?” https://www.healthychildren.org/English/ages-stages/baby/diapers-clothing/Pages/Swaddling-Is-it-Safe.aspx