How to Properly Swaddle a Baby

Ready to learn how to swaddle a baby with ease? You’re in the right place. When it comes to swaddling your baby, parents have a lot of questions.

Am I doing it right? Can swaddling hurt a baby's arms? Should I swaddle with arms in or out? Do babies wear clothes under a swaddle? Can I swaddle a baby too tightly? How long can I swaddle my baby at night? Should I swaddle my newborn at night?

The list goes on and on, because nothing’s more important than keeping your baby safe. Although, sleep is a close second. Swaddling can be a bit tricky at first, but with practice you can help your baby take advantage of the benefits of swaddling. With Dreamland you can skip the swaddling learning curve thanks to our simple and safe design proven to help babies fall asleep faster, and stay asleep longer.

Swaddling is meant to mimic life inside the womb where baby lived so snuggly for the past nine months. It’s that wrapped, tight feeling that helps baby feel comfortable, safe and secure as baby gets used to life outside the womb. Swaddling also helps flailing arms and legs that can trigger their startle reflex (also known as the Moro reflex) that can wake baby up during precious sleep time.

One of our favorite things about swaddling has to be the cuteness factor. because who doesn’t love that little baby burrito look?

If you’re interested in how to swaddle a newborn properly so you both can get the sleep you deserve, keep reading.

What Is Swaddling?

Swaddling is a tried and true way to help your baby sleep. Wrapping your little one in a soft, breathable blanket gives them a sense of calm security that reminds them of their earliest days in the womb. Swaddling is cherished by parents because this practice helps soothe babies, which in turn helps the whole family get better sleep.

Swaddling also helps reduce the Moro reflex, which often causes babies to jolt themselves awake. Have you ever woken up suddenly to a feeling as if you’re falling? The Moro reflex feels like that. This involuntary jolt usually happens in response to external stimuli such as being set down, or a door creaking as you try to slip out of the room. With little control of their limbs, babies tend to flail their arms and legs when this response hits, causing them to wake up (usually upset).

A swaddle helps to contain those adorable little limbs, increasing the chances that your sleepy little one will continue to rest peacefully. To take the calmness one step farther, try a weighted swaddle.

Swaddling helps your baby feel safe and loved all night long as if you were holding them every second, without actually having to hold them every second.

How Do You Swaddle A Baby Step By Step?

If you’re using a traditional swaddle, here’s how you should go about swaddling your baby.

Step 1: Make a diamond shape with your swaddle blanket.

Step 2: Fold down one of the corners about ⅓ of the way down.

Step 3: Place baby on their back in the center with their shoulders below the fold. Be sure to keep their head and face clear.

Step 3: Cover baby’s right side from shoulder to toes with that side of the swaddle blanket. Wrap it around, arm in, and tuck it underneath the other side, nice and snug.

Step 4: Pull up the bottom of the blanket and tuck that in under the new fold. It should be snug but also allow room so legs and feet can kick.

Step 5: Take the left side and do the same. Pull it over baby’s shoulder and arm and wrap baby up. Remember, the point is to mimic the feeling in the womb.

Wondering if there’s an easier way to swaddle your baby? Welcome to Dreamland. Our Weighted and Bamboo Non-Weighted Swaddles are simple, safe, and proven effective. Simply lay baby on their back in the swaddle. Tuck arms in gently, and velcro the waistband snugly around baby. If you or baby prefers, you also have the option to leave the arms out. Once the waistband is secure, zip up the swaddle and ta-da, your baby is ready for sleep!

Do’s and Don'ts of traditional swaddling:

Do put baby to sleep on their back, always.
Do ensure that you can place two fingers underneath the top fold comfortably. This way you’ll see that baby is nice and snug but not too snug.
Don’t swaddle with a blanket that’s not meant for swaddling.
Don’t swaddle baby so that fabric covers their nose, mouth, or face.
Don’t swaddle baby’s legs so tight that they can’t move them. They should be able to kick freely.
Don’t swaddle baby’s arms over their chests, they should always be on their sides.
Don’t swaddle baby once they start rolling over. You can use a Transitional Swaddle to transition them to a sleep sack.

When it comes to swaddling, there are lots of options out there, including the design of the swaddle. When you shop for a swaddle, consider how easy it is to use, breathability, safety, comfort, quality, and other important factors. We’re confident that our collection of sleep solutions for babies will check off your list. If you prefer to use a traditional swaddle, refer to product recommendations and instructions to ensure proper use.

Shop Dreamland Baby Sleep Sacks & Swaddles

How Long Should You Swaddle A Baby Per Day?

Parents should aim to swaddle their newborns anywhere between 12-20 hours per day. Yes, babies love being swaddled that much. Most babies can't get enough of that relaxing, safe feeling of being swaddled in something soft and comforting, but, you don’t want your adorable little rolled burrito to be restricted from movement all day. Newborns tend to sleep a lot, between 14-19 hours per day.

What Kind of Swaddle Should You Use for Your Baby?

With so many baby products on the market designed to swaddle your baby, it can be hard to know what kind of swaddle you should use for your baby. When shopping for swaddles, there are a few qualities of the best swaddles that you should keep in mind.

Breathability: It cannot be overstated that a good swaddle should be made from a breathable fabric. Cotton, bamboo, and muslin are excellent choices that allow for thermal regulation.
Softness: Because no baby (or person in general) wants to be uncomfortable when they sleep.
Durability: Wouldn’t it be great if all of the baby items we bought were durable enough to survive until it’s time to graduate to a hand-me-down? Look for swaddles that are machine-washable.
Ease of care: Nobody has time for a complicated laundry routine, especially with a newborn. How many blow-outs have you had to stain treat this week? Exactly. Laundry is already difficult enough. Your swaddle should make your life easier, not harder.
User-friendly: Easy-to-use features like zippers and velcro can make a world of difference during those middle-of-the-night diaper changes.

At Dreamland Baby, our swaddles offer the perfect blend of comfort, safety, durability, and ease. Here’s why:

Our Weighted Swaddles are made from 100% natural soft cotton and feature our exclusive CoverCalm® Technology. Our weighted swaddles evenly distribute weight from your baby's shoulders to toes to help naturally reduce stress and increase relaxation. The two-way zipper and velcro swaddle band make swaddling and diaper changes a breeze. Plus it’s machine washable. Designed in collaboration with pediatricians, NICU nurses, and certified sleep consultants, safety is a top priority at Dreamland, in addition to sleep of course.

Our Bamboo Classic Swaddles (Non-Weighted) are made from our earth-conscious and ultra-soft Viscose from Bamboo material. Gentle on your baby’s delicate skin, moisture-wicking, and breathable, your baby can get the rest they need. Featuring an easy-to-use, built-in swaddle band and two-way zipper, swaddling is a breeze for you and your baby. Even our proprietary LuxeWeave® bamboo fabric can be tossed in the wash.

When Should You Swaddle Your Newborn?

You can swaddle your newborn, from birth, anytime that they are fussy, tired, or need soothing. Nap time, bedtime, and beyond. What is important to know is that you should stop using the traditional swaddle method once your baby shows signs that they may be able to roll over soon. This milestone can be expected to happen between 2-4 months. The concern when swaddling after babies can roll over is being able to roll onto their tummy but not being able to roll back over.

Our swaddles can grow with your baby beyond that milestone since they can be worn three ways, both arms in, one arm in, or both arms out! Simply free the baby's arms once they are able to roll over, so they can safely maneuver throughout the night.

When To Stop Swaddling Your Baby?

Here are some signs that your little one is almost ready to roll over, which means it’s time to graduate from swaddling your baby.

Using arms in a swimming motion when they are on their belly
Rocking side to side
Using their arms to lift their chest and head off the ground
Twisting their legs

Most of these signs will be seen during tummy time or when you lay them down on their back without a swaddle. Our swaddles offer the option to swaddle baby with arms out, so you can quickly adapt to these milestones. When you’re ready you can transition to our Weighted Transition Swaddle or Sleep Sacks.

Should You Swaddle Your Baby With Arms Up or Down?

This is a hot topic among parents, caretakers, healthcare professionals, and anyone else who has a stake in the game when it comes to swaddling babies. What is most important though, is what’s most safe - but first, we’ll break down why both arms up and arms down swaddling have benefits.

Arms up: Babies likely spent a lot of time with their arms up by their faces while they were in the utero. This is a convincing factor for many parents whose babies don't seem to enjoy arms-down swaddling to give arms up a try. While tempting, arms up swaddling may enable your baby to wiggle out of a traditional swaddle blanket, leaving bundled fabric and presenting safety hazards. The exception: arms up swaddling is considered safe for preemies who have not yet passed their due date.
Arms down: This is ultimately the safest way to swaddle your baby. Studies have shown that babies who are swaddled with arms down have “more relaxed heart rates and respirations” helping them sleep longer and more safely.

Is It OK Not to Swaddle Your Newborn?

If your baby doesn’t like, want, or need to be swaddled, it is not necessary. In addition if you just prefer not to swaddle your baby, it’s not a requirement. However, there are benefits that come along with swaddling. Do your research, talk to your pediatrician, and find what works for you and your baby.