When Should I Stop Swaddling My Baby?

Is your baby 2 months or older?

Have you noticed that your baby take its arms out in the middle of sleep?

Have you noticed that your baby is too strong or too mobile so that it cannot stay swaddled through the night?

Have you noticed that your baby doesn't want to be swaddled, fights against swaddling by throwing out one or both hands?

Has your baby started to roll over?

Have you noticed that your swaddled baby wakes up more often in the middle of the night, while it slept well before?

Have you noticed that the startle reflex (Moro reflex) has decreased or disappeared (your baby will extend its arms away from the body and to the side due to loud noise or strong light, and then draw them back to the body)?

Based on your answers, here are a few more facts about when you should stop swaddling a baby. Swaddling can allow your newborn to sleep better. However, as soon as you notice that your baby is more active than before or is trying to roll over, you must stop swaddling. A baby who starts to roll over must be able to use its arms and hands free in order to roll over on its side safely. Some babies make it clear that they do not want to be swaddled; they fight against swaddling by throwing their arms out. Usually, swaddling should stop after 2 months of age.

Based on your answers, you know a lot about when to stop swaddling a baby. It is not safe to swaddle a baby for too long. When your baby is strong enough to break free of its blankets during the night, there is a risk that the blanket will cover the baby's head and compromise its breathing. Also, as your baby becomes more active and mobile, restricting movement by swaddling can interfere with the proper development of its motor skills. Your baby obviously no longer enjoys swaddling if it wakes up more often during the night than before, or takes its arms out in the middle of sleep.