How and When to Transition Out of the Swaddle

The thought of breaking up with the swaddle can be enough to make you sweat. The good news is that the idea of the transition out of the swaddle is typically far worse that the reality. Here are some tips for a smooth transition Affiliate links included below.

transition out of the swaddleAfter you figure out which one works well for your baby, the swaddle can be a lifesaver, particularly if you have a baby with a strong startle reflex. As soon as you start to see the positive effects of using the swaddle, however, you start to worry about how you’ll ever live without it. I have good news, the anticipation of the transition out of the swaddle is often worse than the reality.

When to make the transition out of the swaddle

As soon as your baby starts to roll over or if you decide to implement some structured sleep training – whichever comes first – is an ideal time to transition out of the swaddle.

Once your baby can roll over, it’s no longer safe for them to be swaddled. Swaddled babies should never sleep on their tummies. Most babies outgrow the startle reflex between 4 and 5 months, which also happens to be when most babies start to rolling.

If your baby is still using a swaddle and you decide to implement a sleep training method to improve nighttime sleep and/or naps, go ahead and breakup with the swaddle at the start of sleep training. I cannot tell you how many 4 and 5 month old babies I work with who start rolling during sleep training or just after we get them sleeping well. The safest thing to do, and the way to avoid sleep training twice, is to set your little one up for long-term sleep success right out of the sleep training gate. One of the ways to do that is to transition out of the swaddle.

How to transition out of the swaddle

I personally like the cold turkey approach when it comes to transitioning out of the swaddle. I know a lot of people recommend the gradual approach of pulling one arm out of the swaddle for a few nights and then the other. While there is nothing wrong with that approach, I don’t typically find that it’s all that effective. Just go ahead and switch from the swaddle to a sleep sack.

If your little one’s startle reflex has subsided, you can switch right to a typical sleep sack that allows their arms to be free. My personal favorite is the Bitta Kidda because I like it’s snug fit up top and the safe built-in lovies. If your little one still startles, try the Zipadee-Zip which often helps limit the startle reflex.

As you make the transition away from the swaddle, just keep in mind that you may have a few rocky nights of sleep, but stay patient and stay the course.

Leave a Comment