The Safe Swaddle Transition that Helps Baby Sleep Better
As a new parent, there is so much to think about when putting baby to bed in those first few months. A firm sleep surface is important, their own safe space and baby placed on their back. No soft objects, bumpers or quilts in the crib. No pillows or props. A snug swaddle is ok, says the AAP.
But when baby begins to show signs of starting to roll over, it is time to stop swaddling with arms fully restrained. The swaddle transition stage can be a challenging time if baby is still experiencing awakenings due to the Moro reflex. In some cases, a baby with a strong Moro reflex can wake 10+ times.
A Good Sleep and A Safe Sleep
The Moro or startle reflex is one of the earliest reflexes present in a newborn. Baby will jerk or flail their arms and legs in response to an unexpected stimulus or the feeling of a sudden loss of support.
While the Moro reflex is natural for a wee human, this reflex is a significant barrier to a good night’s sleep. A blanket swaddled snugly around baby’s arms and legs helps to suppress this reflex, reassures baby that they are safe, reminds them of the feeling of being in the womb and helps baby sleep at night.
When a new baby begins to show signs of wanting to roll over, it is time for parents to make a safety adjustment when preparing baby for sleep.
Because, if baby’s arms are fully restrained, especially when swaddled at their sides, if they roll over onto their tummy, they won’t be able to use their arms and won’t be able to reposition their head.
This is why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP)’s recommends caregivers and parents to stop restraining baby’s arms in a snug swaddle once baby starts to show signs of getting ready to roll.
If parents stop swaddling and use the “cold turkey” approach, then they may find that their baby is waking up everyone 30 minutes. Not good for babies, or the parents.
Based on my experience, the SwaddleDesigns® Transitional Swaddle Sack is the best baby sleep product to help parents seamlessly navigate the swaddle transition time period.
The Transitional Swaddle Sack provides partial suppression of the Moro reflex, so baby is less likely to fully awaken, and the uniquely-shaped sleeves with arms up provide arm mobility if baby rolls overdelivering good sleep and safe sleep. The unique design distinguishes the product when compared to other options.
Other Swaddle Transition Options
There are multiple swaddle transition products that claim to be a safe solution during this challenging phase. Parents should be careful when making their decision.
Most products that claim to be swaddle transition are effectively convertible products that convert from a swaddle to a sleeping sack. These convertible products have a configuration where baby’s arms are tucked in tight, and another configuration where baby’s arms are totally free. In effect, the products are either a swaddle or a sleeveless wearable blanket.
As an example, the Love to Dream™ Transition Bag converts from a Swaddle Up to a sleeveless sleep sack after the wings are unzipped and removed.
The Swaddle Up is a swaddle that fully suppresses the Moro reflex, and when the wings are removed the Transition Bag is safe if baby rolls, but the wingless sack does not help suppress the Moro reflex which often leads to more awakenings and poor sleep.
Another example is the Halo® SleepSack Swaddle with arms outside the wrap. Halo claims that this configuration is safe when baby starts to roll, but parents quickly realize that using the Halo SleepSack Swaddle with arms out leads to less sleep if baby is still experiencing the Moro reflex.
These “convertible” products aren’t the same as the SwaddeDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack that is specifically designed to support baby through the transition stage by providing partial suppression of the Moro reflex, so baby sleeps better, and allowing arm mobility when baby rolls over.
I highlight the SwaddleDesigns product because it delivers both better sleep and safer sleep.
There is a product called the Merlin Magic Sleepsuit. It looks like a snowsuit, but designed for indoor use. It is a product with important caveats and parents should be careful.
Parents need to stop using the Merlin when baby starts to roll over, because the manufacturer states that the Merlin is not safe and not intended for use when baby is showing signs of attempting to roll over. Also, the sleepsuit may overheat baby given the layers of fabric, so the manufacturer provides related advice.
In my book, the Merlin is not a good option for the swaddle transition, because of these caveats.
The Best Swaddle Transition
The SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack was designed by an RN and mom specifically to accommodate for baby’s unique needs during the swaddle transition period.
Featuring half-length sleeves with foldover mitten cuffs to provide a baby with a sense of snugness and security, soothing the Moro reflex, while providing enough mobility to raise their hands to their mouth to self-soothe or to push themselves up in case they roll onto their tummy.
Also important to note, the SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack is designed to supports baby’s legs in a flexed position which is recommended by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) for healthy hip development.
A true transitional product – the Transitional Swaddle Sack provides both Moro reflex suppression andenough arm mobility to be safe when and if baby rolls over. During the swaddle transition time period, many babies still have a strong startle reflex and need some resistance of their arm movement to help them sleep. This time period can last for weeks or months.
When you read that a Love to Dream Transition Bag allows you to gently transition in one to two days, I ask you to consider that some babies take one to two months to transition.
For the past year, I have recommended the SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack because it works, and because it is a standout example of a reliable baby sleep product that does not compromise and is easy to use.
If you find your baby is not sleeping well, after you stop swaddling, I recommend the SwaddleDesigns Transitional Swaddle Sack because it provides both safe sleep and good sleep.
