When it comes to newborns, swaddles are a must. Most parents feel as though their baby hates being swaddled, but often times, they haven’t been consistent when using one. Once a swaddle is used regularly or in combination with the 5s’s (which can be found here), it can transform and consolidate infant sleep.
I’ve used many different swaddles with my kids, but around 4 weeks old, I introduced my son to the Love to Dream swaddle, and I am so glad I did! The AAP recommends that you stop swaddling your baby at the first signs of rolling which typically happens around 3-4 months of age. (The previous recommendation was 8 weeks or when they show signs of rolling or whichever comes first, but that has since been removed and signs of rolling are the current guideline). This a very daunting subject for parents of babies who love their swaddle. My daughter was a baby who loved her swaddle but I knew that around 3-4 months I HAD to transition her, we were overdue! She still had her moro reflex, and I was not looking forward to it. We bought the Magic Merlin suit and she was not about that, it just wasn’t for us. I know some LOVE it and I know it works, but it is just another thing you’ll have to transition out of. It's also not safe to use once baby is rolling, and the last thing we want to do is smother normal development (moving, rolling, etc). We decided to go cold turkey from the swaddle, and after about a week of tough sleep, we were back on track.
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When my daughter was a year old, I became certified as an Infant and Child Sleep Consultant which resulted in me making more educated decisions when I had my son. I learned that the moro reflex disappears faster if you give baby the time to work on it. We used an arms in/traditional swaddle for the first 6 weeks, then at about 8 weeks we transitioned to the Love to Dream arms up swaddle!
He did very well with this, and it felt like a perfect happy medium between the traditional swaddle and learning to have his arms free. AND he could gnaw on his hands if he wanted. If babies are left for any amount of time to self settle, they MUST have access to soothe via their hands or a pacifier.
After about two weeks, we removed to sleeves of the Love To Dream. I felt like this transition could not have gone any smoother, and he gained control of his Moro Reflex so.much.faster than my daughter did. You could always skip the arms up version shown above and buy the detachable arms off version of the Love to Dream, but keep the sleeves on in the beginning, and then remove them when you’re ready. It adapts with your child, which is SO awesome!
When it comes to dropping the swaddle you can;
1) Use a transitioning piece like the Love to Dream swaddle, move straight into the “arms up” position for a week or so, then remove the sleeves completely.
2) Continue with their current swaddle but have 1 arm out and loose for 5-7 days, then take the other arm out.
3) Go cold turkey.
There is no one way that is better than the next. Your child’s temperament and dependency on the swaddle are what matter when it comes to the weaning method.
The most important thing is that you get them out of the swaddle and into a sleep the sack the second they show signs of rolling!! Keep them in their sleep sack until they’re at least 3 and in a big kid/toddler bed!
If you’d to take the stress out of your baby’s schedule please download my FREE Sleep Schedule Cheat Sheet. This will guide you through age 5!
