Swaddling helps newborns sleep vastly better according to Dr. Harvey from the Happiest Baby on the Block. The swaddle mimics the womb and stops their arms from jerking when the startle reflex kicks in. (He also recommends “Shhhushhh-ing” sounds…read more here) The questions are, when is the best time to stop swaddling baby and how to get baby to sleep without a swaddle?
What do you do when your baby begins to roll around? What do you do when your baby is big enough to break out of the swaddle and you need to transition them to something else?
Questions first time parents might be asking is:
HOW do I transition my baby from the swaddle and at what age?
When do I stop swaddling my baby at night?
Well, as with most things in parenting this DEPENDS on your baby. Not every baby will be the same age when it’s time to stop swaddling. But there are a few factors you can look at to decide if it might be time for your baby.
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5 Step Swaddle Transition Solution
What milestones indicate your baby is ready for the swaddle transition solution?
If your baby has become a roly-poly.
It’s time to start considering transition out of a swaddle. Your baby can now roll from back to tummy and vice versa in the crib, so a swaddle might not be necessary anymore. While swaddles are great for holding the baby tight, if a baby is swaddled for too long, there is a potential for the hips to not develop appropriately.
If your baby regularly jailbreaks out of the swaddle.
It might be time to stop swaddling your baby. This is unsafe to have a free blanket just laying in the crib. Try using one of these Zipadee zips or one of these sleeping bags to provide warmth for the baby are great alternatives. My friend LOVES the Ziapdee Zip because her son never really liked being swaddled. And he was able to sleep through the night by 12 weeks.
If your baby is around 4 months old.
Now, I know I said it’s not dependent upon age, but at the 4-month mark, there is also a sleep regression. Well, really anywhere from 3-5 months there’s a change in sleeping pattern for your baby.
4 months is the perfect time to start a new baby sleep routine that includes not swaddling your baby. Around this time establish new sleep habits that will set the tone for successfully sleep later. Like if you’ve been wanting to stop that co-sleeping habit…Now is a great time to try!
Also, conveniently it’s around this time that babies outgrow the startle reflex, which was one of the reasons you swaddled in the first place!
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If your baby is becoming more independent.
Part of sleep training your baby to sleep all night on their own is allowing your baby to self-soothe. If they can’t reach around to find their paci or put their hand to their mouth, they won’t be able to self-soothe.
You’ll notice them doing this while they are playing or in a baby carrier first. My kids always started doing this around 3-4 months. So, if you see it, it might be time to transition!
5 Step Swaddle Transition Solution
How to get baby to sleep without a swaddle. The key to this plan is that it might take about 2 weeks to implement, so have patience!
Step 1: Start at nap time
If your baby is sleeping great at night, you probably don’t want to interrupt your full night’s sleep for as long as possible. So we recommend starting your swaddle transition during nap time. This will be a shorter sleep cycle, and you’ll be able to get a glimpse into how your transition is going.
Step 2: Use one arm out
If you don’t know if your baby still does the startle reflex, then swaddling one arm in and leaving one arm out is perfect for the transition. If they still have a little startle reflex, chances are, having one arm bound won’t wake them up as much. Try this for 2-3 days at nap.
Step 3: Try it at night
If your baby successfully slept at nap with one arm out, then start doing it at bedtime for 2-3 days. Depending on your little one, Steps 2 and 3 could take a full week.
Step 4: Move to both arms out
Once your baby is comfortable with one arm out, it’s time to try both arms. Again, start at nap time for 2-3 days before transitioning to night. If your baby’s sleep is significantly interrupted by not being swaddled, then it just might not be time yet. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself and give yourself another 2 weeks before you try again. (see step 5)
Step 5: Decide if your baby is ready
If they did great with both arms out, it’s time to consider what blanket you will use to keep your baby warm. A lightweight sleep sack* works great in warmer weather or you can try the Nested Bean Zen Sack below. If during the swaddle transition strategy, your baby woke up A LOT when they were previously sleeping great, then it’s just not time yet. Give yourself 2 weeks to try again.
What to do when baby is rolling but still needs to be swaddled?
Several of these claim to be THE swaddle transition solution for babies between the swaddle and no-swaddle stage. It’s up to you to decide the best Swaddle Transition Suit for your baby to sleep through the night, but all of these are great options that either myself or my friends have loved.
These are great options too if your baby is rolling but still needs a swaddle. Need a solution fast? Try Amazon Prime free for 30 days* and get free 2 days shipping to order the products below.
Zipadee Zip*: What’s not to love about this starfish shaped design? But seriously, it’s even Shark Tank and parent approved. Read the Amazon reviews* for your own evidence!
Nested Bean Zen Sack*: Slightly weighted so it feels like your hand is resting on the baby’s back. Great alternative to the simple sleep sack.
Love to Dream Swaddle Up*: This one allows your baby’s hands to be in the up position while still being swaddled. Again, great for transition if your little one isn’t just quite there yet but they are fighting the swaddle.
Let me know if any of these worked for you, or if you have any other swaddle transition solutions! I’d love to hear in the comments.