Swaddling your newborn will help them feel more secure like they did in the womb. Swaddling also helps with the startle reflex that can often wake them up. Make sure you have a proper fitting swaddle that is secure with velcro or a zipper. I recommend the Halo sleep-sack swaddle https://www.halosleep.com/shop/sleepsack-swaddle/ which can also be used when they are ready to transition to the sleep sack with arms out. Some babies may seem to fight being swaddled or try to get out of it but they will actually sleep better if they are swaddled. Try to calm them before you swaddle them, give them a bath or put on a white noise machine. Don't wait until they are overtired and cranky. Make it one of the first steps in the bedtime routine. The AAP recommends to stop swaddling once your baby is showing signs of rolling back to tummy. Once your baby can roll swaddling is no longer safe as they need their hands free to push up from the mattress. This usually happens between 3-5 months. For more info from the AAP visit https://pediatrics.aappublications.org/content/138/5/e20162938.
Here are some tips to help with the transition:
Start swaddling with one arm out to slowly transition. After a week or two take both arms out.
Transition to something such as the zipadee-zip https://www.sleepingbaby.com/collections/zipadee-zip-swaddle-transition. Babies can safely roll in the zipadee-zip and it still makes them feel secure.
Go cold turkey! Start using a sleep sack instead. Never use blankets in the crib.
As always, feel free to reach out to me with any questions doulasandbeyond@gmail.com
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Happy Sleeping 🌙