When and How to Break Baby from the Swaddle

Babies are rapidly changing and growing their first year of life. Do they ever really stop?

Just when you get one phase figured out, they are on to the next and the learning curve takes a sharp turn.

If you mastered the tight, burrito swaddle only to discover that your growing little one can now get his arms free, it may be time to break him from his swaddle.

When and How to Transition from a Swaddle

When to stop swaddling: Signs to look for...

• When baby can roll over (typically around 3-4 months).  His arms must be free to be safe and prevent suffocation.
• When baby can consistently break arms out of the swaddle, it may be a sign that he no longer needs to be snuggled in tight to sleep.
• When baby has outgrown the Moro reflex (4-5 months), he is less likely to startle himself awake and doesn’t need his arms secured to his body.
• If baby resists being swaddled, then he may be telling you he doesn’t need it.

How to transition: tips to try

• All babies are different, so pay attention to your own baby’s signals and then slowly wean from the swaddle. Stopping cold turkey is usually not the best option.
• Make changes during nap time and don’t tackle nighttime until swaddle-free naps are going well.
• Try wrapping with just one arm in at first; if you notice which arm tends to break free, leave that one out first.
• Next leave both arms out and tuck swaddle under armpits.
• If your baby is having a hard time settling down for sleep, he may respond when you put your hand on his chest. Of course, once he is soothed, remove your hand and step away.
• To decrease the chance of SIDS, babies should be put to sleep on their back, but once a baby can roll over, you can no longer ensure they will remain on their back. You must check with your pediatrician first, but putting your baby to sleep on the tummy after they can roll over may be an effective way to transition to being swaddle-free. Look in on your baby regularly for a while to make sure they are safe.
• If your baby has outgrown the swaddle try a sleep sack, which can offer the warmth and safety of a swaddle without putting unnecessary blankets in baby’s crib.

Sleep re-training

As you transition baby from the swaddle, he may have forgotten that he can fall asleep on his own, which may make for a few rough naps or nights. Be consistent with all your regular bedtime routines and go back to the sleep training methods with which you first found success.