11 Swaddling Mistakes New Moms Make (& How to Fix Them)

How to swaddle your baby safely? What are the DOs and DON’Ts of safe swaddling? Here are 11 most common swaddling mistakes new moms may unintentionally make – and how to fix them to keep your baby safe. (If you’re still on the fence about swaddling, I recommend reading about the pros and cons of swaddling first.)

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11 Common swaddling mistakes (& how to swaddle safely)

#1 Avoid hip problems by swaddling too tight

Babies spend long months scrunched up in the uterus with their legs bent and crossed. Even post-birth, babies instinctively prefer to keep their hips relaxed and spread apart. And for a good reason – this is the healthiest position for an infant’s developing hips (bonus points for helping baby release gas).

Not only are babies born with more bones than adults have (300 vs 206) which later fuse together, the bones and joints of newborns are intentionally loosed by maternal hormones at birth (a Mother Nature’s way of helping with the transition through the narrow birth canal – #shetries). Forcibly restricting the soft cartilage of baby’s hips can lead to hip dislocation and hip dysplasia which is treatable but can sometimes result in lifelong problems.

Make your baby snug in a swaddle but don’t swaddle too tightly around the legs. Your baby should be able to move legs in the swaddle. Never force your baby’s hips and knees in an extended (straight) position when swaddling.

Additional steps to prevent hip dysplasia and to support baby’s hip development:

Use an ergonomic hip-friendly baby carrier (this one is my favorite) instead of a baby carrier where your baby dangles by the crotch with no hip support.
Limit or avoid the use of exersaucers, walkers, and jumpers with older babies which, too, can damage the soft developing hips.

#2 Don’t use thick, non-breathable blankets for swaddling

If you use a large blanket for swaddling, avoid using synthetic non-breathable materials, make sure the swaddle won’t come undone easily, and check on your baby often. Baby’s hands eventually do break out of the fabric cocoon one day and may unintentionally bring the fabric over the face which can get your baby into a situation that restricts breathing.

(Other than keeping an eye on things, there is absolutely nothing wrong with using a large breathable blanket for swaddling.)

#3 Always put a swaddled baby to sleep on his back

One of the most important tips for safe swaddling is to NEVER lay a swaddled baby to sleep on his front or side.

Infants can become trapped in a position that restricts breathing when they’re sleeping on their tummies or after rolling over from a side-sleeping position (which can happen either intentionally or by accident). When swaddled, babies can’t use their limbs to try and wiggle themselves out of a dangerous situation.

#4 Stop swaddling once your baby starts to show signs of wanting to roll over

Same as above. All bets are off even with safe swaddling practices when your baby starts to roll over in any direction (back to front or front to back).

Babies typically start rolling over between 4 and 7 months, but sometimes as early as 2 months.

#5 Swaddle “just right” – not too loose, not too tight

Swaddling your baby too tight can affect baby’s breathing which can lead to respiratory problems. At the same time, if you’re using a blanket for swaddling, you don’t want to wrap your baby too loosely which increases the risk of suffocation.

To make a swaddle that’s “just right,” wrap your baby snug, but don’t put pressure on the chest. You should be able to put just about two fingers between your baby’s chest and the swaddle.

#6 Prevent overheating

Babies can easily become overheated when swaddled.

DON’T overdress a swaddled baby and never swaddle in a hot environment.

DO use breathable swaddle material (cotton, cotton muslin, bamboo) and dress your swaddled baby accordingly. A thin layer of cotton with socks is typically enough in a comfortable room temperature.

#7 Don’t let your baby sleep for too long

Don’t let your swaddled baby sleep for long stretches of time without supervision. The natural instinct to rouse may be diminished in a swaddled baby and you want to know about a potential issue if there is one.

You’ll also want to pay close attention to how long your baby sleeps if you’re trying to establish breastfeeding. Newborns typically need to nurse every 2-3 hours, but often much more frequently. If your swaddled baby is regularly sleeping for long periods of time, your milk supply may suffer (the less demand, the less supply for future feedings). Don’t be afraid to wake a sleeping newborn to nurse (unswaddle for feeding). They usually go right back to sleep.

#8 Swaddle for sleep only

Babies should only be swaddled for sleep. NEVER swaddle your baby during awake time – babies need to be able to move freely and to explore their bodies and the environment around them when awake.

#9 Swaddling with arms IN or OUT?

The main reason for swaddling is to diminish the Moro reflex that causes baby’s arms to flail which startles babies and wakes them up from sleep. This is a clear point for swaddling with arms in. If you’re swaddling your baby with arms in, you have the option to gently lay the arms down in the swaddle, or swaddle with arms folded across the chest and elbows bent.

Does your baby want hands out of the swaddle? Babies that are swaddled with their arms in lose the ability to self-soothe using their hands which may be upsetting to them.

Try different ways and see what your baby prefers.

Also, if you swaddle your baby with arms in, you won’t be able to catch early hunger cues – babies show they’re ready to eat by pulling their fists close to the mouth or by sucking onto their hands, usually a good while before they start to cry. To pick up on early hunger cues, swaddle with at least one arm out.

#10 Never swaddle when co-sleeping

Never swaddle your baby if you are co-sleeping. Swaddled babies can easily become trapped in an unsafe position in a family bed.

#11 Swaddling in the car seat

Never buckle up a swaddled baby in a car seat. That is not safe.

Some swaddles come with a slit in the crotch area that may seem just perfect for the car seat crotch buckle and voila – a swaddled baby in the car seat makes for a more pleasant ride! While this may work, the swaddle/car seat manufacturers advise against using the slit for that purpose. The car manufacturers maintain that no stand-alone material should be placed under or behind your baby in a car seat and under the straps. (FYI: The buckle slit is safe for use in swings and strollers.)

If your baby loathes car rides and loves being swaddled, try putting a blanket over your baby’s legs, lower torso, and arms, and tuck it around your baby to create the feeling of being swaddled.

More tips on how to swaddle safely

Always monitor your swaddled baby. Make sure there are no signs of trouble.

Unswaddle your baby for feeding as much as possible. Then, re-swaddle for sleeping.

If someone else helps you care for you baby, make sure they, too, are aware of safe swaddling practices.

Besides learning how to swaddle baby safely, make sure that swaddling works for both you and your baby. Some babies love being swaddled, while others don’t care for swaddling at all.

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