HALO Baby Sleeping Bag Swaddle | 1.5 TOG SleepSack | 100% Cotton, Blue Moons Sleeping Sack For Newborn Babies | Easy Zip Access Nappy Change | Wearable Blanket Grow Bag | Boys & Girls, 0-3 Months

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In its most basic form, swaddling involves wrapping baby securely in a blanket so that only their head is peeking out. The rest of their body is comfortably snug inside the blanket, which may help the youngest infants feel like they’re still inside the womb. Where baby sleeps is important. Babies should room-in with parents or other caregivers until they are 6 months old, but preferably until age 1, according to 2016 safe sleep recommendations from the AAP. This reflex is present at birth, lasts until between 12 weeks and 6 months of age, and causes baby to startle with loud noises or large movements. As you can imagine, startling may jolt a baby enough to wake from slumber. Consider the season you’re in and how you’ll be dressing your baby underneath. For example, thinner blankets may work best for warmer conditions.

Then grab the (baby’s) left corner of the blanket and wrap it around the right side of the body, under the armpit, to snug them in tight. The 100% cotton material is soft yet thin, making it ideal for warmer seasons. Also, be aware that taller children may need a larger size to accommodate their height. Despite some hiccups, the SwaddleMe Original Swaddle is a dependable choice for families who need an easy way to swaddle a baby. Encourage tummy time during the day. Your baby may not love lying prone on a mat during awake hours, but keep at it. Strengthening their muscles helps with development and with safer sleep.

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The key to a good swaddle is keeping it snug. Some studies call this a type of “motor restraint,” which is just a technical way of saying that it restricts a baby’s movements so they don’t set off their moro or “startle” reflex. Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. We avoid using tertiary references. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our editorial policy. As we said, every baby is different and some may prefer to stretch out after only a few days or weeks, while others will enjoy the cosy feeling for longer. Experiment and see what works for your little one.

Gently place your baby — face up — onto the blanket with their head above the corner you just folded down. Avoid co-sleeping: 'Never swaddle your baby when bed-sharing as they could overheat,' Ratcliffe warns. Lay your blanket on a flat surface and fold the top corner about halfway down toward the middle of the blanket. The single layer of cotton and elastane keeps babies warm without overheating. The 1.0 TOG rating covers room temperatures of 68 to 75 degrees, so you can use it in multiple seasons. There are many reasons families like to swaddle their baby,' says Ratcliffe. 'Some are for cultural reasons. Others can be if the baby has a strong startle reflex, or if the baby is overtired or over-stimulated.'According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, it is recommended that you stop swaddling your child around the time that they are 2 to 4 months old or as soon as you notice them starting to roll over on their own," McCutchen says. "This transition helps prevent various sleep-related dangers and SIDS."

Swaddle blankets are absolutely safe for baby to sleep in. You will probably see your baby first swaddled in a blanket while at the hospital, where you’ll learn how to properly swaddle. Once you get home, you can perfect your swaddle technique to promote sleep and help baby calm down if they’re upset. Mix it up: You should also give your baby lots of opportunity to explore out of the swaddle, 'so pop them down on the floor and let them move around,' says Ratcliffe. 'This will help with startle reflex and organising their voluntary movements as well.' You should not swaddle your baby when they are in a car seat or during tummy time," McCutchen adds. "Also, you should avoid swaddling your baby when it is warm, as babies can overheat easily, which can increase the risk of SIDS."

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The surface baby sleeps on matters, too. Place your baby in their own sleep space onto a firm surface. This may be a crib in your room, a bassinet, or, alternatively, a side-car sleeping device like the Arm’s Reach Co-sleeper.