Babies and burritos might seem unrelated, but any parent who's tried swaddling their little one knows it's a lot like origami — with a wiggly, adorable purpose. As your baby grows, though, you'll hit a point where you wonder if those arms should be out instead of tucked in. Enter the great unswaddle! We’ll cover when to do it, why it's important and tips for making the transition feel safe.
When Do You Transition to Arms Out Swaddle?
The short answer is “when they start rolling.” The long answer is that babies are ready to graduate from being swaddled with their arms at their sides to being free-armed usually around 2 to 4 months of age. This is when they start trying to roll over and when they can get frustrated with the restriction.
What to Do When Baby Gets Arms Out of Swaddle
If your baby has proved that they can get an arm or two out of the swaddle, try doing it on purpose. Wrap them so one arm is free—it’s common for babies to sleep just as soundly with one arm still wrapped up tight—and see how they do.
When Should You Stop Swaddling Arms in
Once your baby demonstrates that she’s beginning to roll or seems really irritated by her immobile limbs, you know the time has come to stop swaddling arms in.
When to Swaddle with Arms Out
You can experiment with napping this way first before trying overnight (unless they’re too big for their current size already), wrapping them so one or both arms are free. The partial snugness around their torso may give them comfort while granting more freedom.
When a baby shows consistent signs of wanting more movement, usually between two and four months, you can let them sleep with their arms out. This transition is great for your baby's development and safety. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has some rules to follow when babies signal they want to drop swaddling.
Early Indications Of Rolling
Before they can roll over completely, you’ll notice your baby kicking and wriggling more as they play or lie down. These movements are the precursor to rolling and a sign that your child is testing their physical boundaries. You might see them lifting their legs in the air and trying to turn to one side, or arching their back and tilting to one side during tummy time. As weird as things may look, it's all part of the natural motion.
Tummy To Back Roll
The first roll babies usually make is from lying on their front to lying on their back. You’ll see your baby using an arm to push off from the ground so they can flip themselves over. It might take a lot of tries until they get it right, but don’t worry about it! The key here is encouraging them with toys just out of reach during tummy time. If you place fun objects where they can barely touch em’ in this position, it'll motivate them to stretch out and experiment with some rolls.
Back To Tummy Roll
This trickier move comes later for most children. Your baby will begin by turning their head towards one shoulder, then twist their body accordingly before taking flight itself. They may also use their arms for momentum like a gymnast would before flipping forward. When you catch your baby actively attempting these moves while on its back, know that they're building important motor skills and it’s definitely time to change up the way you swaddle them for bed.
Encouraging The Rolling Milestone
While your little one works on rolling over both ways, make sure the area around them is safe and open enough for movement. Encourage every attempt with plenty of smiles and praise because not only does this stage do wonders for developing physical abilities - but also foster confidence in exploration.
Rolling is an exciting milestone since each successful rollover signals growing independence in your child. If you haven’t already, it’s time to let go of that swaddle! Transitioning from sleeves out or even weening them off of the wrap altogether makes sure your baby can move freely and safely as they explore rolling over in their sleep. Don't be afraid to celebrate these moments - each roll is a step towards a new stage of discovery!
The AAP’s Swaddle Transition Checklist
Parents should stop swaddling as soon as their baby starts trying to roll over, according to the AAP. It's all about limiting any harm from restricted movement while keeping your growing child safe in their slumber zone. Babies go through many transitions during their first year and this one is huge—if only because it means that before you know it, they’ll be exploring every inch of their crib! Every kiddo is different, so listen to yours and make changes accordingly.