It’s the thing on everybody’s registry, and it’s most likely the thing that everybody has multiple of! There are SO many different swaddles out there. Some have velcro, some are weighted, some have baby’s arms up, some have them down, some have them out… So, which one is right for your baby?
Arms Up or Down?
The first thing you should do is take a look at your ultrasounds. Are your baby’s arms up by their face, or are they down by their sides? If they’ve spent the last nine months with their hands up by their face, they’re likely going to prefer sleeping with their arms up. This can be tricky since babies experience the Moro reflex, or startle reflex, where their arms jolt forward as if they’re feeling the sensation of falling or if something has startled them. This is one of the reasons why babies are swaddled for sleep, so that they can avoid that reflex waking them up. Babies typically grow out of this somewhere between 3 and 6 months, but it’s completely normal and is an indicator that they are developing as they should. Thankfully, there are quite a few swaddles that both offer the option for your baby to sleep with their arms up, and help prevent that startle reflex from waking them up. If your baby prefers to have their arms swaddled down, there are also a ton of safe and cozy options for them as well. If you need some help deciding, I’ve listed out a few of my favorite swaddles below and included products links as well!
Swaddle Me, Love to Dream, Nested Bean, HALO, Dreamland Baby, **Baby Merlin’ Magic Sleepsuit
**Use code MOONLIT15 for 15% off your purchase from Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit!
Your baby could also love being swaddled while they’re in the hospital then all of a sudden hate it as soon as they get home. The nurse comes in, wraps them up at warp speed into a little baby burrito and they are all cozy and happy. Then you get home and all of a sudden they turn into a little Houdini and start escaping their swaddle, or start getting totally pissed off after you just spent all that time wrapping them up nice and tight. And no, it’s not because you did it wrong. This is normal too! Your baby is going to tell you what they like, and you just need to follow their lead.
Make It Cozy, But Make It Safe
The most important thing, when it comes to choosing a swaddle for your baby, is ensuring that it is safe! I do not recommend using muslim blankets or stretchy fabric swaddle blankets as they can come loose and become a hazard in your baby’s sleep space. Choose a swaddle that they are either zipped or velcro-ed into (some swaddles even have both). This will ensure that they are staying in, and the swaddle is staying on even as they move around.
Once your little one turns 8 weeks, I recommend that you move from a swaddle to a swaddle transition or a wearable blanket. Anytime after 8 weeks your baby can start rolling over or attempting to roll over. You don’t want them to roll and not have their hands free to be able to support and lift their head and neck. There are quite a few swaddles that transition into wearable blankets so if you find one that works, you may not need to buy a new wearable blanket or transition swaddle for some time.
If you’re unsure of how to dress your baby under the swaddle. Check out my blog “How to Safely Dress My Baby for Sleep in the Winter” where I talk more about swaddles as well as TOG ratings, and make sure to download a copy of my baby dressing guide here!
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