4 Ways To Transition Out Of Swaddling
Swaddling can be used to support newborns' sleep as it helps to mimic that close and secure feeling they had in the womb. It also helps with startle reflex to prevent them from waking themselves up while they are sleeping.
Keep in mind, swaddling should only be used for sleep time. This allows for your baby to be free and have time to practice rolling and tummy time during the day. When your baby is awake, practice strengthening their muscles by offering both tummy time or side and back time on a play mat.
Transitioning out of using the swaddle to support sleep can be challenging for some babies. Once your baby is about 8 weeks old, showing signs of rolling, or able to go onto their side (without the swaddle), then it is time to transition out of the swaddle. This follows American Association of Pediatrics (APP) guidelines to reduce the risk of Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) or suffocation if they were to roll in a swaddle.
Here are 4 ways to transition out of swaddling
1.Cold turkey
Transition straight to a sleep sack. A sleep sack is like a mini sleeping bag for your baby. This will help your baby stay asleep by assisting them to regulate their body temperature and stay comfortable.
2. Slow Transition
Slowly transition your baby out of the swaddle by keeping one arm out for 3-6 nights (rotating which arm is out). Then transition to keeping both arms out for a few nights, while still swaddling the body. The final stage will be to transition your baby to a sleep sack.
3. Middle of the sleep transition
If you start early, around 8 weeks (or before your baby show signs of rolling) you can start with one arm or both arms out for the first half of the night while they are in a deeper sleep. Then swaddle both arms in during the second half of the night. The second half of the night is when they tend to struggle more, as they are in a lighter sleep and sleep drive is decreasing. This method will allow you to gradually work on lengthening the time they can go without being in the swaddle.
You can also use this transition method for naps, starting out during one nap per day and increasing the frequency with time.
4. Transitional Swaddles
Use a transitional swaddle like a Zipeedee zip as an in between before moving your baby to a sleep sack. These items work to still support your baby with startle reflex before making the next transition to a sleep sack.
You do not need to go out and buy these items but if you have them available or want to test them out, you can use them.
Start this transition out of the swaddle at bedtime. This is when their sleep drive is the highest, making it easier for them to handle this new change.
Give it time. This will most likely cause a bit of a regression for most babies, as this is a huge change for them. You may see your baby struggle to fall asleep, experience more wake ups in the night, or take shorter naps. Give them time and support through this process.
If they are struggling to fall asleep, place your hand on their stomach and gently rock them back and forth or rub their belly. Do this for 10-15 seconds, stop, then give them time to try falling asleep. This may take time for them to adjust to fall asleep.
Once they are in a sleep sack and free to roll, this can cause a whole new regression, if they struggle to fall asleep or fall back to sleep once they roll. This does not mean your baby is in distress. Since this is something new for them this just means they aren’t sure how to sleep in this position yet. For more information, check out my blog on how to support your baby’s sleep when they are learning to roll.
Be patient, this skill takes practice and time. Your baby will get there!