How To Transition out of a Swaddle

Swaddle blankets are one of my favorite mom products!! There are so many things out there that promote good sleep for your infant. However, none of them do it like a swaddle can! Just think about it. Your baby is fresh from the womb where they were held and restricted from moving too much, keeping them cozy and snug! Now they are out in the world with all this space they don't know what to do with!! Swaddles are amazing for helping infants curb the startle reflex that often wakes them! Many parents have told me “My baby just doesn't like to be swaddled”, but I don't believe it!

However, all good things must come to an end eventually! While swaddles are amazing for infants to help them settle, they do become more of a danger once your child starts to roll. Children can get stuck and unable to move to turn their heads. Once your baby is starting to roll (somewhere from 2-3 months depending on their personal development) its time to ditch the swaddle. But how do you go from something that kept them so cozy to full out freedom? That is why I'm here to help!!

Step 1: Is Your Child Ready For No Swaddle?

The reason that babies are swaddled is to curb the Moro Reflex (or startle reflex). All children are born with this, and it causes them to suddenly move their arms or legs. Often time, if a baby is asleep this will wake them and they are unable to settle themselves back down. Typically it is recommended that children begin to move out of the swaddle before they start rolling. This is so they cannot become stuck on their belly unable to move their arms. However, swaddles should be stopped somewhere between 8-10 weeks, and certainly by 12 weeks to ensure safety and that they are learning self soothing skills. Between 8-10 weeks start thinking about if your child is still showing a strong startle reflex and if they are ready to move to having their arms out.

Step 2: Slowly Removing the Swaddle

So, now you have determined that your baby's startle reflex is no longer keeping them awake, or your baby has reached 12 weeks. How do you gently remove them to ensure your child continues to sleep well? I recommend doing it one arm at a time. Children don't have a handiness preference at this young young age, so whichever arm you choose to remove first is fine! At bedtime, swaddle one arm in, leaving one arm out. Continue to left that same arm out for 2-3 days until your child seems comfortable and is able to sleep comfortably. Next, remove the other arm from the swaddle so both arms are now no longer being swaddled. 

Step 3: Life After Swaddle

You've successfully moved your baby away from having their arms swaddled (yay!), but now what? I still recommend having babies move into a different wearable blanket at this time. This is to keep them warm at night without the risk of it covering their face or nose. Sleep sacks still help children feel cozy and snuggled, without the danger a loose blanket would present.

There you have it, you have successfully made the change from having a swaddled baby into a sleep sack! If the transition didn't go as smoothly for you as I made it sound, no worries! Some children have more of an attachment to or keep their startle reflex a little longer, so if you need some support, lets get you sleeping!