Swaddling a baby: the benefits, risks and seven safety tips

What is swaddling?

Swaddling is a traditional practice of wrapping a baby up gently in a light, breathable blanket to help them feel calm and sleepy. They should only have their body wrapped and not their neck or head, to reduce the chance of suffocation.

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The idea is that being swaddled will help your little one feel snug and secure, just like in your womb.

What are the benefits of swaddling my little one?

Some people say that swaddling seems to help their little one to settle more easily and sleep for longer, others find that it can help calm their baby. Research has shown swaddling, used alongside sound and movement, to be effective at soothing crying babies (Möller et al, ; Nelson, ). It can also encourage babies to sleep deeper and for longer (Nelson, ).

Another study found that babies who were born early and were swaddled were calmer and had improved neuromuscular development and better muscle tone, and it soothed pain and discomfort (Sleuwen et al, ; Kitase et al, ).

What are the risks of swaddling my baby?

It has been suggested that early swaddling could affect breastfeeding if babies are prevented from having skin to skin contact during feeding. However, research has not found long-term negative effects on breastfeeding (Nelson, ; Kelly et al, ).

Some people have questioned if encouraging a baby to sleep more deeply at night is beneficial for them as being asleep for longer periods reduces the time they are awake, interacting with and learning from their environment (St James-Roberts, ).

Natural positioning

Some evidence suggests that tightly swaddling a baby's hips could increase their chance of developing hip dysplasia (a developmental problem with a baby's hip joint) (Clarke, ; Nelson, ). Making sure your baby's legs have enough space to be able to bend up and out at the hips allows for the natural development of the hip joints (Clarke, ).

Is swaddling my baby safe?

Swaddling presents a very low risk for babies, if you follow safe sleeping and hip friendly swaddling guidance (Nelson, ; McDonnell & Moon ). Current baby sleeping advice is to always lay your little one down to sleep on their back and avoid front or side positions for sleep, particularly if your baby is swaddled (Pease et al, ). In addition, you should stop swaddling your baby when they show the first signs of rolling over (Nelson, ).

What safety points do I need to consider?

Follow these seven safe and hip friendly swaddling tips:

1. Consider your baby's temperature and their environment to prevent overheating. Check their temperature regularly and make sure they are wearing suitable clothes for the weather. Do not swaddle them if they are unwell or have a fever

   (Lullaby Trust, )

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2. Swaddle your baby using thin materials such as a small, cotton sheet or muslin square. Do not place any additional material on top of a swaddled baby, for example a blanket which could cause them to overheat. Follow safe sleep guidance, laying your baby on a firm, flat surface clear of any other items

   (The Lullaby Trust, )

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3. Don't swaddle your baby above their shoulders ' their neck and head should never be swaddled. Ensure any material is secure and won't come loose as your baby moves, to avoid suffocation

   (The Lullaby Trust, )

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4. Use hip-healthy swaddling techniques to reduce the chance of hip dysplasia. Make sure your baby is able to move their hips and knees freely to kick. Your baby's legs should be able to fall into a natural position (like frog legs) rather than straight down. 
5. Always put your baby to sleep on their back. Never put a swaddled baby to sleep on their front or side

   (The Lullaby Trust, ; McDonnell & Moon, ; Pease et al, ; Nelson, )

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6. If you use a swaddle product or blanket check that it conforms to safety standards and is well fitted, without fault or damage. Follow the manufacturers guidance on age or weight ratings and consider using a lower tog rating to minimise overheating risks

   (McDonnell & Moon, ; The Lullaby Trust, )

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7. If someone else looks after your baby, make sure they also know about safe sleeping advice and how to swaddle safely. Take your time to show them and explain safe swaddling and make sure they know to always put your baby to sleep on their back

   (The Lullaby Trust, )

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How long can I safely swaddle my baby for?

Swaddling should only be introduced when your baby is a newborn. As soon as they show signs that they're learning to roll over or they can already roll over, you need to transition them away from swaddling (Pease et al, ; The Lullaby Trust ; McDonnell & Moon, ; Nelson, ). 

For more about how to swaddle your baby read our step-by-step guide to swaddling.

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Parents have been swaddling their newborns into small baby burritos from the dawn of time. Not only does it look absolutely adorable, but it also serves the purpose of helping your little one to stay calm and sleep more soundly.

If you want to improve your baby's sleep and wonder if you should try swaddling your baby, here are the top 4 reasons why:

4 reasons to swaddle your baby

1. Sense of Security

A swaddle helps your baby feel safe and secure as he or she adjusts to life outside the womb. Since swaddling can give babies the feeling of being back in the womb, this feeling gives them a sense of security. Further, it helps eliminate anxiety in your baby by imitating your touch, which helps your baby learn to self-soothe.

Babies are born with involuntary startle reflexes ' called the Moro Reflex. These reflexes are involuntary movements in their arms and legs and happen until they get older and learn to control them. As these movements are involuntary, babies are often startled by them, and it can affect their sleep. By swaddling their arms, big movements are limited, and they are - for that reason - less likely to be startled and wake up when sleeping.

3. Safety
One of the factors that increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) is letting babies sleep on their stomachs or their sides. Swaddling helps maintain the baby's back-sleeping position while also reminding parents to place the baby on its back to sleep ' which is the safest sleeping position at the newborn stage.

4. Regulating baby's temperature
Newborn babies are not able to regulate their temperature. This means that infants are reliant on external factors - such as swaddling - to keep them at the right temperature. Remember that you are your baby's thermostat!

A tip to make sure that your baby's temperature is comfortable is to put your fingers or hand down under the clothes and touch the bare skin either in front of the chest or on the neck just below the clothes. If your baby is warm and dry at a suitable temperature, it's perfect. But if your baby feels too warm and possibly sweaty, you should take off some of the clothes or take your baby somewhere to be cooled down. If your baby feels too cold, give it some more clothes on, or put it in a warmer place.

Safety tips

Although swaddling comes with the above-mentioned benefits, you need to make sure you're doing it right to avoid danger or discomfort for your baby. Follow these safety tips:

• The swaddle should be snug, but not too tight. You should be able to place two to three fingers between your baby's chest and the blanket, and the blanket should be loose around the hips so the baby can move its legs freely. Swaddling your baby too tightly may affect her mobility and development.
• Also, the swaddle should not be too loose or that comes unwrapped during sleep could cover a baby's face and create a dangerous situation.
• Always lay your baby down on his or her back after swaddling.
• Stop swaddling as soon as your baby can roll over on its own.
• Never overdress your baby underneath the swaddle since it can lead to overheating.
• Not all babies like to be swaddled. Babies are different and there are plenty of other methods that can make your baby relax and feel safe. So don't worry if your baby does not like being swaddled.
• You should always remember that your child may only be swaddled during sleep.

Disclaimer: This guide is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice or treatment. Always seek the advice of a qualified health provider with any questions you may have.

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