The benefits of swaddling in newborns, and how to transition

Welcoming a newborn into the world is a rollercoaster journey that comes with the challenge of helping your little one adjust to life outside the cozy confines of the womb. One technique that has stood the test of time and is cherished by many parents is swaddling. This age-old practice involves snugly wrapping your baby in a blanket or cloth, creating a secure and comforting cocoon. Let's explore the benefits:

1. Mimicking the Womb Environment:

Swaddling recreates the snug feeling of the womb, providing newborns with a sense of security and comfort. The confined feeling can soothe babies by reminding them of the limited space they were accustomed to during the nine months of pregnancy.

2. Improved Sleep Quality:

One of the most significant advantages of swaddling is its positive impact on sleep. The secure wrap helps prevent the startle reflex, allowing your baby to sleep more soundly. By minimizing sudden movements that can wake them up, swaddling promotes longer and more restful sleep, providing much-needed rest for both baby and parents.

3. Reduced Anxiety and Stress:

The gentle pressure applied by swaddling has been shown to reduce anxiety in newborns. It creates a calming effect, lowering stress levels and promoting a sense of well-being. Swaddling can be especially beneficial in situations where your baby may feel overstimulated or fussy.

4. Easier to Comfort and Soothe:

Reiterating number 3, while it reduces stress it can also be very soothing for your tiny new little one. The sense of security provided by the swaddle can be particularly helpful during moments of overstimulation, fussiness or when your little one is having trouble settling down.

5. Maintaining a Comfortable Temperature:

Swaddling helps regulate your baby's body temperature by providing an additional layer of warmth. This is especially useful in the early days when newborns can’t regulate their own body temperature effectively.

6. Safer Sleep Practices:

When done correctly, swaddling can contribute to safer sleep practices by helping to keep loose bedding away from your baby's face. It minimizes the risk of accidental suffocation associated with loose blankets in the crib. Velcro and zipper swaddles can be especially helpful, as the securing of a blanket swaddle can be challenging. You want the fabric to be tight around the chest, away from baby’s face, and loose around the hips.

7. Facilitating Breastfeeding:

Swaddling can make breastfeeding more manageable for both mom and baby if your baby is fussy or having trouble settling. It helps keep your baby calm and focused during feeding sessions, reducing distractions that may interrupt nursing. Make sure to un-swaddle to burp your baby after feeding.

8. Enhanced Motor Development:

While swaddling restricts large, involuntary movements, it allows for small, controlled motions. This can be beneficial for your baby's motor development by promoting coordination and muscle control.

When do I stop swaddling?

It’s important to shift away from swaddling when either 1. You see signs of rolling, or 2. Around 8-12 weeks of age. If you transition between 8-12 weeks before you see any signs, you can do a gradual approach to dropping. If you see signs of rolling, or baby is actively trying to roll, it’s best and safest to drop the swaddle cold turkey.

What are signs of rolling?

• Reliably holding their head up during tummy time

• Using their arms to lift their chest/back

• Rolling from back to side

• Rocking on their tummies

• Arching when on their backs

• Asymmetrical movement

• Whale-tailing their feet

How do I gradually transition out of the swaddle?

If you want to gradually transition out of the swaddle, before signs of rolling, you’d do as follows:

• Bring 1 arm out of the swaddle for 1-3 nights

  • You can also do this for the first part of the night, aligning with their longest stretch of sleep, and then re-swaddle for the remainder of the night as they adjust.

• Bring the other arm out for the following 3 nights

  • This means only their bodies are still snug in the swaddle, with both arms out

• Switch to a sleep sack once adjusted

Typically, this transition may disrupt sleep for a few days to a week. The more tummy time and exposure you give your little one to life outside of the swaddle, the more their startle reflex will integrate. Remember to take a deep breath, meet your little one where they are, and remember that for better or for worse.. everything is a season.