What it is
A swaddle is a snug wrap that holds a baby's arms close, the way the womb did. It damps the startle reflex that wakes newborns. Done right, it is snug at the chest and loose at the hips. Two fingers should fit at the chest, and the legs should bend up and out like a frog.
What's typical
Many babies swaddle well from birth to about two months. Rolling can start as early as eight weeks. A swaddled baby who rolls to her stomach cannot push up or free her arms, which is why the rule is firm. The usual way out is one arm free for a few nights, then both, then a sleep sack.
What's known
The AAP says swaddling is fine for sleep if the baby is always on her back and it stops at the first sign of rolling. The International Hip Dysplasia Institute warns that wrapping the legs straight and tight is linked to hip problems. A swaddle counts as a layer.
What helps
- Practice on a doll before the baby arrives.
- Choose hip-healthy sacks with a loose bottom.
- Check the back of the neck. Sweaty means too warm.
- Start arms-out around eight weeks, before rolling shows up.
When to call someone
- Nowyou find the baby rolled face-down in a swaddle, or she is not breathing normally.
- Todaylegs that always seem stiff or uneven, or a clicking hip.
- At your next visitshe cannot settle without a swaddle after four months, or you want help with the transition.
Who helps
Tools: Postpartum Prep Checklist
Related
- Newborn sleep and safe sleepBaby Basics
- Soothing a newbornBaby Basics
- Hiccups, sneezes, grunting, and other normal weird thingsBaby Basics
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Sources
- American Academy of Pediatrics, HealthyChildren.org — Swaddling: is it safe for your baby
- International Hip Dysplasia Institute — Hip-healthy swaddling
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