Presented by BabyBjörn 

Happy Hump Day! Babies outgrow swaddling eventually. Let's explore when it's time to stop swaddling and how to make a smooth transition.

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Transitioning Your Baby Out of the Swaddle

When it’s time to pull out both arms

If you’re like us, you might have dreaded the arms-out swaddle transition. We just began getting our sleep routine down, and then bam, it’s time to get our baby roll safe. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), babies typically start rolling over around 3-4 months. If your baby is in this age range but hasn’t started rolling yet, you can keep swaddling. Once your baby can roll onto their tummy, it’s no longer safe to swaddle them as they need their hands free to push up from the mattress.

Sometimes, very young babies might roll to their side due to an involuntary muscle reflex called the newborn curl. This isn’t a sign of rolling, so you don’t need to stop swaddling because of it. Swaddling, when done correctly, actually helps babies sleep safely on their backs. (Always check with your pediatrician if you have any concerns.)

Signs Your Baby is Ready to Transition Out of the Swaddle

1. Moro Reflex Lessons

   • Your baby may startle less as the Moro reflex decreases over the first few months. If startles aren’t causing wakings, you can start transitioning out of the swaddle.

2. Baby Resists the Swaddle

   • If your baby starts resisting or breaking free from the swaddle, it’s a good sign they’re ready for a change.

3. Baby Starts Rolling

   • If your baby shows signs of rolling, like lifting their upper body or twisting their hips, it’s time to stop swaddling immediately to keep them safe.

If you’re transitioning gradually and your baby shows signs of rolling, we suggest removing the swaddle completely. Some babies handle this transition well, while others might have temporary sleep disruptions as they adjust.

How to Transition Out of the Swaddle

Here are four options to help you transition your baby out of the swaddle. We also listed several recommended products to help with sleep below.

1. Cold Turkey

   • At bedtime, move your baby into a sleep sack with their arms free. This is often the most effective method. Bedtime is the best time due to the baby’s strong sleep drive.

2. Swaddle with One Arm Out

   • Swaddle your baby snugly but leave one arm out. Do this for 1-2 weeks, then transition to both arms free and use a sleep sack. Follow your baby's lead on timing.

3. Partial Night

   • If you feel it’s time to transition but your baby isn’t rolling yet, start the night with one or both arms out of the swaddle. If they wake up, swaddle them back with both arms inside. Gradually increase the time with arms free until your baby can sleep without the swaddle or starts showing signs of rolling.

4. Use a Transitional Item

   • Items like Swaddle Sleeves, Merlin’s Magic Sleep Suit, or a swaddle strap can help. These items muffle the startle reflex while allowing the baby to move and get comfortable. They can be especially useful if sleep is difficult before transitioning.

If sleep was good before the transition, a transitional item might be all you need. If sleep was challenging, you might need additional strategies to get through this transition. You can start during nap times to avoid losing nighttime sleep. If your baby adjusts well during naps, they should handle the transition at night too. Remember, every baby is different, and finding the right approach for your little one is key.

40% of last week’s responses said your baby’s naps dictated your life. It can be hard to find flexibility and you may not want to risk a bad night's sleep pushing your baby’s wake windows. We get it.

The best baby sleeping products

Note: If you opted for the Nanit Baby Monitor, your breathing band also doubles as a snuggle strap and can be used to provide a gentle hugging sensation which helps with self-soothing.

The Ultimate Living Parenting Guide & Free Resource List

We decided to compile The Ultimate Living Parenting Guide & Free Resource List for you to explore at your own pace. It is full of everything from free resources to courses, books, podcasts, and online content - all centered around better parenting.

Let us know if you feel we missed anything!