There is nothing more adorable than a perfectly swaddled baby. Not only do they look like a perfect burrito, but they also sleep so peacefully wrapped so tight and snug.

Swaddling your little one has been a part of your nap and nighttime routine since day one of their life (or maybe it has not). You watched the nurses at the hospital perfect the wrap, in thirty seconds and then, did everything in your power to learn how to do it just like them. Though it may not be as perfect as they could make it seem, it is still something you learned to do and with learning this skill, your baby seemed to love this swaddling technique as well!

Guess what? While in the swaddle you are mimicking their womb like experience. They are wrapped tight, but safely, with the ability to move their legs. Their Moro-reflex does not startle them awake and because of this, you are able to see their nighttime stretches of sleep become longer and longer.

You are enjoying the longer stretches at night but soon remember, oh no… my baby is getting older and that means rolling.

No worries, I’ve got you covered. Dropping the swaddle does not have to be an, “oh crap” moment. There are steps we can do to ensure your little one still sleeps at night with transitioning out of the swaddle.

If your little one is hitting the eight -week mark I want you to begin deciding how you want to transition from the swaddle and then, begin implementing that chosen plan. All babies are different and what you may find is that one specific plan is just like the saying, “not a one shoe fits all.”

Within this blog you will find three different plans that you could use that best fits you and your little one.

Plan A: The gentler approach

We will call this the, “Three Night Switch.”

This is suggested for little ones around the eight- week mark who have NOT begun rolling.

The Three Night Switch Includes the follow steps:

During the first night of the transition you will swaddle your baby, after their bedtime routine, and leave their right arm out of the swaddle. This right arm will have the ability to move freely while the left arm is swaddled tight.
Ensure you are doing these transitions during the nighttime for the first day, but not the naps.
During the nighttime wake-ups I want you to switch the arm that is free. So, after the first wake-up you will swaddle the right arm and leave the left arm out.
With naps I want you to attempt this same transition, one arm in and one arm out, for the first nap. If it goes well, attempt it for the second, if it does not go well let’s get a good nap in, and try again at bedtime.
Night 2: You will swaddle the right arm first and then, during wake-ups you will swaddle the opposite arm.
Night three: Leave both arms out. Help your little one a bit more with getting to sleep, if they are struggling, and during night waking’s you can swaddle one arm.
After night three: I do not want to see anymore arm swaddling. We can continue to swaddle the legs or make a sleep sack transition. Give the little one 3-4 nights to get back into a great sleeping rhythm.

Plan B: In Other Words, the, “Safe Swaddle Transition”

The Zippadee-Zip is an amazing transition swaddle/sleep sack if you are still wanting arms secure, but free.

Within this Plan B the following steps are:

Drop the Swaddle completely and begin using the Zippadee-Zip.
This transition can take three -four days before seeing progression, but many babies end up using the fabric as their soothing technique.
This is not a great transition if you have a thumb sucker because their hands are not free.

The Zippadee-Zip is a transition swaddle that still has the arms zipped within the swaddle, but the arms are able to move freely.

Finally, we are at Plan C:

The Just Ditch It Plan that looks like:

Saying goodbye to the swaddle and not looking back.
There is no arm out or arm in transition.
Families either offer a sleep sack, or not, at this point in time and give their child a good four days to feel comfortable in this transition and become comfortable to the Moro-reflex and falling back asleep.

Please, no matter what age, if your baby is rolling the swaddle needs to be dropped immediately, and either Plan B or Plan C is your best fit.

Now that we know how to transition out of the swaddle it is a great time to discuss why and when.

The Why is pretty simple, safety. It is always better to choose the safest option. When babies are able to roll they need the freedom of their arms to get them out of unsafe conditions. Hence, rolling onto their stomach makes the swaddle unsafe due to their arms being secured.

The When is typically up to the parents, if the child is not rolling, but the best option is always sooner than later.

My biggest suggestion is around the 2-2 ½ month mark. The sweet spot between 8-12 weeks giving enough time for the Moro-reflex to lessen, but also building a great sleep foundation.

There is no need to have an already great sleeper to transition out of the swaddle, but it does help.

An independent sleeper will always transition to new sleeping environments easier than a baby who does not have that set foundation.

For more sleep help, book a FREE call & learn about our services.