Always follow the individual product’s guidance. (For example, some swaddle manufacturers recommend their product is based on a baby’s weight rather than age.) The safest baby carrier to use will keep the infant firmly in an upright position where a parent can always see their baby’s face, and ensure their airways are free. Complete guidance is available by visiting The Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents. Supports breastfeeding. Karp further explains that swaddling may help with breastfeeding because it soothes babies. If a baby cries less, moms may feel more confident that their babies are getting enough to eat and continue on with breastfeeding.

You should not swaddle your baby when they are in a car seat or during tummy time," McCutchen adds. "Also, you should avoid swaddling your baby when it is warm, as babies can overheat easily, which can increase the risk of SIDS." Spread the blanket out flat – in a diamond shape – on a changing table, bed or the floor, and fold down the top corner It’s also worth knowing that babies who are regularly swaddled may feed less often and breastfeed less efficiently than those who aren’t. Further, the National Resource Center For Health and Safety In Child Care and Early Education notes that “in child care settings, swaddling is not necessary or recommended.” We tried so many different swaddles and my DD seemed to hate them all - she would just fight against it and get so frustrated and angry. I'd just about given up on swaddling, and the idea of her sleeping anywhere other than me, then tried one last type called the Miracle Blanket. It comes with a 100% guarantee that it will help your baby get to sleep and stay asleep longer and it honestly works! It's saved my sleep.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter MissHoney85)Kitase Y, Sato Y, Takahashi H, Shimizu M, Ishikawa C, Yamamoto H, Hayakawa M. (2017) A new type of swaddling clothing improved development of preterm infants in neonatal intensive care units. Early Hum Dev. Available from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28675824/ [Accessed 21st December 2021] 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, 2012). Natural positioning Slings and baby-carriers are useful for holding a baby hands-free, however they are not always used safely. Although there is no reliable evidence that slings are directly associated with SIDS, there have been a number of deaths worldwide where infants have suffered a fatal accident from the use of a sling. These accidents are particularly due to suffocation, and particularly in young infants. 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, 2016; The Lullaby Trust 2021; McDonnell & Moon, 2017; Nelson, 2017). Eline L. Möller, Wieke de Vente, Roos Rodenburg (2019) Infant crying and the calming response: Parental versus mechanical soothing using swaddling, sound, and movement, PLoS ONE 14(4). Available at https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0214548. [Accessed 12th December 2021]

Our little girl loves being in her Purflo swaddle bag, keeps her arms in close but is hip friendly! Poppers on the sleeves allow you to transition from swaddling at the appropriate age :)” (Recommended by Mumsnetter noslen) In case the arms up is not necessary - we really liked the Little Seeds ones - lovely soft cotton and much cheaper than a lot of of others as you get three in a set.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter Etherealhedgehog) Our verdict Rolling. Again, the AAP specifically notes that swaddling can contribute to SIDS if a baby is placed on his side or stomach for sleep or if he rolls to that position while sleeping. If your baby is a few months old and still loves to be swaddled, you might find that they’re growing out of their swaddle blankets, or that they’re wriggling out and waking themselves up. Mumsnetters love the Woombie Air for its soft, cosy fabric, easy to use zip-up fastening, as well as their larger sizes.Supports preterm babies. A 2007 review of studies showed that swaddling babies born prematurely helps with neuromuscular development, motor organization, and feelings of distress. The single layer of cotton and elastane keeps babies warm without overheating. The 1.0 TOG rating covers room temperatures of 68 to 75 degrees, so you can use it in multiple seasons. There are various swaddling blankets and other supplies you can find at stores and online. You may want to try a variety of blankets to see which works best for your baby.