Swaddle To Sleep Sack Transition

Let’s take a look at some swaddling safety tips, when's a good time to stop swaddling and how to transition your baby to a sleep sack.

What Is Swaddling?

Firstly, let’s cover off what it is. Swaddling is the act of gently, but snugly, wrapping your baby up like an adorable burrito. It usually means their arms are contained and they remain sleeping on their backs. The theory behind swaddling is that the sense of confinement mimics the familiar, restricted space in the womb. This helps a newborn baby to feel calm and adjust to life on the outside.

Swaddling Safety

IF you are swaddling your baby it is important that you follow the correct safety guidelines to ensure your baby remains safe and healthy. Tightly wrapping and restricting your baby's leg movements can lead to hip dysplasia, so ensure their legs can bend and extend within the swaddle. The miracle blanket is a good choice as it has a large pocket to tuck your baby's legs into and allows them to fall into the natural 'frog position'. Also ensure that they do not overheat, signs that they are too warm can include being sweaty, having damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash, or rapid breathing. 

Swaddling can increase the risk of SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome), so always ensure you place your baby on their back to sleep in the cot. If your baby is beginning to show signs of rolling over, remove the swaddle straightaway and transition your baby into a sleep sack. 

When Should I Stop Swaddling?

I would usually recommend making the transition out of a swaddle around 3-4 months or when your baby starts to show signs of rolling. There are a couple of reasons for this, the first being that their startle reflex should have faded so will disrupt their sleep less. The second reason is that by 4 months of age your baby will be very aware of their hands - they will be grabbing toys, bashing things, and often putting their fingers or fists in their mouth.

Of course they cannot do any of that if they are swaddled! If their hands are constantly restricted then your baby may become frustrated and you will face an ongoing battle of them trying to get their hands free during sleep time.

If you find that your baby’s hands are always trying to escape the swaddle, or the hand area of the swaddle (if swaddling arms up) is quite wet, then that is your baby trying to tell you they want access to their hands so that they can self-settle.

How Should I Make The Transition?

When you first transition your baby into a sleep sack, they may find it hard and distracting to have their hands suddenly free. They may even look like a windmill as their arms flail around at sleep time. This is completely normal. Try and introduce a comfort toy for them to attach to as it will help give their free hands a purpose and help them learn to self settle. 

The best way to do that is to place the comfort toy by their face or chin so that they can grab hold of it with their hands. They will probably suck on it, play with it, rub it on their face, sniff it… basically discover what this new snuggly thing is. If your baby can go to sleep by playing with the comfort toy, then they will have found a great way to self settle.

A really good tip to help your baby attach to the comfort toy is to place it down your top for the first couple of weeks so it absorbs your comforting smell. Then, before every nap time take it out of your top and place it next to your baby. It will be warm, snuggly and smell like you.

If you prefer to transition more gradually, then you can pop your baby into the sleep sack and swaddle over the top from the chest down for a few days. If you have been swaddling with the hands up method then try releasing one hand first, then the other a couple of days later.

The Benefits of Using A Sleep Sack

Here are some of the many benefits of using a sleep sack. 

• Comfort and warmth without the danger of loose blankets. 
• Baby remains covered up all night keeping them warm and at a consistent temperature.
• Little feet cannot get stuck in the cot bars
• You can increase or decrease warmth by adding or removing layers of clothes under the sleep sack, preventing overheating.
• You can choose the thickness or tog rating of your sleep sack to match the temperature or season.
• Your baby will begin to associate the sleeping bag with sleep time so can be a great bedtime cue even if you are away from home.

If you are ready to stop swaddling and transition your baby to a sleep sack but aren’t sure where to start, then feel free to get in touch with me here at Serene Sleep. I am happy to provide you with some advice on how best to handle the transition.