Fighting or breaking free from the swaddle is often a sign of very active sleep. This is completely normal for newborns. Newborns go through two different sleep cycles: quiet sleep and active sleep.
If your baby is not interested in being swaddled, you may notice a few things. The baby might fight or break out of the swaddle. If this is the case, one of the alternatives to swaddling in the traditional sense is the half swaddle: simply swaddle up to the baby's armpits so that their arms are free.
Some resistance is normal when swaddling, especially when you first try it on your baby. But if they start full-on fighting the swaddle as they get older, it's a sign they are ready to sleep arms free.
Your baby's startle reflex is a common reason for them breaking out of the swaddle, as they're able to push it off when they flail. This can be avoided by making sure that you swaddle your little one with their arms snug against their side.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that parents start to wean their infants off swaddling when they begin to show signs of trying to roll over. They add that “many babies start working on rolling at around 2 months of age.” But not all babies start that early.
Squirming fuss bucket
Remember, crying and fussiness is the only way your baby can communicate to you that they are not happy about something. Watch for squirming as this is a sure sign that they are no longer happy being swaddled and they are trying to squirm their way out.
Not all babies want to be swaddled and some fight the sensation of being swaddled, even from birth. There also comes a time when developmentally, it's time to stop swaddling and to allow babies the space to move around more freely.
Leave the arms free or the hands by the face: Some babies prefer to have their arms free, while others find it calming to have their hands near their faces. Make sure baby is not too warm: Swaddling should be done to help your infant feel secure, not to keep them warm.
But if you want to stop sooner — maybe you're tired of the whole swaddle wrapping thing or your baby doesn't seem to sleep any better with a swaddle than without — it's perfectly fine to do so. Babies don't need to be swaddled, and some actually snooze more soundly without being wrapped up.
If your baby can roll over at 2 months, be sure to stop swaddling entirely. Unfortunately, there aren't any swaddle transition products that are safe for a rolling 2-month old baby. A 2-month old baby is too young for the Zipadee Zip. (Baby should be at least 3 months old and weigh at least 12 lbs).
Babies don't have to be swaddled. If your baby is happy without swaddling, don't bother. Always put your baby to sleep on his back. This is true no matter what, but is especially true if he is swaddled.
Many Parents Swaddle Incorrectly!
Well, the most common swaddling mistake is not swaddling tight enough. Many parents are afraid of swaddling too snugly. When your baby is loosely swaddled, she will most likely bust her arms out and startle herself awake.
However, swaddling can be risky, the new study finds. "Babies who were swaddled were 50 to 60 percent more likely to die of SIDS," said lead researcher Dr. Rachel Moon, a professor of pediatrics at the University of Virginia School of Medicine.
You should stop swaddling your baby when he starts attempting to roll over. Many babies start working on this move at about 2 months old. Swaddling once your baby can roll over may increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and suffocation.
As mentioned, it's important to follow the directions on any swaddle blankets or swaddle sacks you purchase. You don't want the swaddle to be too tight or too loose. Too tight could prevent natural development of the hip joints, and too loose could cause potential risk of suffocation.
Deactivating the Startle Reflex
So simply placing a baby on their side or completely onto their stomach, helps calm them and stop their crying. Of course, when you place a baby on their side or stomach, you always need to be sure that baby's airway is clear so their breathing isn't obstructed.
Swaddling protects your baby against their natural startle reflex, which means better sleep for both of you. It may help calm a colicky baby. It helps eliminate anxiety in your baby by imitating your touch, which helps your baby learn to self-sooth. It keeps her hands off her face and helps prevent scratching.
Tuck the tip under the fold beneath her neck. * Put her free left arm against her side, and bring the right side of the blanket over her body, tucking it under her back on her right side. If your baby's squirmy, try leaving her arms outside the blanket while you swaddle her so she has some freedom to move around.
Most babies will have a period of increased fussiness starting at around 2 weeks of age and usually peaking between 6-8 weeks of age. Although, this is a normal developmental stage for infants it can be very stressful for parents and caregivers.
A swaddle that is too tight can restrict breathing, but one that is too loose may unravel and put the baby at risk of asphyxiation. Caregivers can avoid this altogether by purchasing swaddle wraps with snaps or Velcro or they can follow the AAP's six steps to a safe swaddle (infographic courtesy of Allina Health).
While the cause of SIDS is unknown, many clinicians and researchers believe that SIDS is associated with problems in the ability of the baby to arouse from sleep, to detect low levels of oxygen, or a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. When babies sleep face down, they may re-breathe exhaled carbon dioxide.
You should stop swaddling your baby when they start to roll over. That's typically between two and four months. During this time, your baby might be able to roll onto their tummy, but not be able to roll back over. This can raise their risk of SIDs.
Swaddling a newborn in blanket has been thought to be a tool to help calm babies and get them to sleep longer. But according to the Contemporary Pediatrics guide, Swaddling 101, published by the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), many babies can stay calm with no swaddling at all.
They've just spent the previous nine months being "held" in the womb, so of course they want a cozy place to snooze. Plus, since they're born without a concept of day and night, they need some time to develop sleep patterns on their own.