Safer Swaddling

Although swaddling has

been practiced for years,
recent studies show that
swaddling for sleep can
put your baby at risk of
suffocation. If you have
tried calming your baby
and nothing has worked,
you can try swaddling to
settle your crying baby.

What are the risks of swaddling?

Swaddling can get in the way of Swaddling for sleep may result in
mother- baby bonding and newborn sudden infant death
feeding g L oose fabric can cover baby’s face and
Skin-to-skin contact between mother and baby cause suffocation.
has many benefits. It helps you develop your g If the baby becomes unwrapped, the fabric
relationship with your baby, helps reduce your can become wrapped around baby’s neck and
baby’s stress, promotes more restful sleep and cause strangulation.
helps with breastfeeding. g The baby may roll onto his or her stomach and
be unable to roll back .
Tight swaddling can be risky g Babies wrapped in blankets or heavy fabrics
g  ight swaddling can interfere with breathing
T can get too hot, which increases the risk of
and can even lead to pneumonia. Your baby Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
must have enough room for his or her chest g Sleeping with a baby on a bed or couch greatly
to move. increases the risk of sudden infant death and
g It can cause long-term hip problems. Your suffocation. This risk is even higher when a
baby must have enough room to freely move baby is swaddled.
the hips and legs.

January 2016
 When to stop swaddling baby
When baby can roll or is able to unravel the wrap, it
is time to stop swaddling because the loose fabric
creates a suffocation or strangulation risk. If your
baby likes the “tucked in” feeling:
g L ay baby on back with feet near the bottom
of the crib.
g P lace blanket so that it is no higher than
baby’s armpits.
g T
 uck the blanket into the sides and bottom
of the crib.

Choose a wrap that is:

g Free of drawstrings, ribbons, cords or tight
elastic.
What are the reasons for swaddling? g F ree of buttons, snaps or decorations which
could become loose and cause choking.
g If you’ve tried to soothe your crying baby by 
feeding, changing, and cuddling and your baby
g M
 ade of breathable fabric such as light cotton
still isn’t comforted, you might try swaddling with a loose weave. Do not use a heavy blanket
to calm him or her. for swaddling.
g H ealthcare providers may recommend swaddling Choose the right swaddling
during bottle feeding for babies who are born
prematurely, who become upset or distracted technique for your baby’s age
when feeding, who have a very low birth weight, g F or younger babies (about 0-3 months old) wrap
or who have trouble gaining weight. the arms in the swaddle with baby’s elbows bent,
g S waddling can provide pain relief for infants. and hands close to the chin.
Your doctor or nurse might swaddle your baby g F or older babies (about 3-6 months old and
for needles or other painful procedures. babies who can roll) leave their arms free.
 1

How to safely swaddle baby

Dress your baby in a light sleeper or
undershirt to prevent overheating.
1. S pread the wrap out flat with one
corner folded down.
L ay baby face-up with baby’s head 2
and neck above the folded corner.
2. B  ring baby’s hands together over the
chest. Bring one side of the wrap over
top of the arms and tuck it beneath
the baby.
3. F old the bottom of the wrap up, leaving
room for your baby’s feet to move freely.
The hips and knees should be a little
bent and have room to move.
4. B  ring the second side of the wrap across
the baby, tucking the end behind baby.
3
C  heck that the swaddle is not tight: 
2 fingers should fit between the wrap
and your baby’s chest.
If your baby is sweating, he or she
is too warm. You need to remove
the swaddle.
Y our baby is now ready to be held for
comfort or feeding. Swaddled babies
must never be placed on their sides
or stomachs, even for a minute. 4
 Choosing safer sleep sacks
M
 any types of products are available
to help your baby sleep and keep your
baby warm. Some products are sold as:
g s leep sacks
g swaddling sacks
g swaddle blankets
g wearable blankets
g or baby sleeping bags.
The product should:
g be snug around the upper body so that
baby is unable to wiggle out of the sack;
Not all products are safe choices for
g not be tight around baby’s chest. You
your baby. Some designs can put your should be able to get two fingers between
baby at risk of choking, suffocating baby’s chest and the sack; and
or overheating. g b
 e loose around the hips. Your baby’s
legs and hips should bend and move
comfortably.
Always follow the manufacturer’s age,
If you choose to use sleep sacks or weight and length recommendations, and
other sleeping products, look for safety precautions.
ones that:
g d
 o not have drawstrings, ribbons, cords or Choose a safe sleep place
tight elastic; g F rom birth to six months of age, the safest
g d
 o not have buttons, snaps or decorations place for baby to sleep is a crib, playpen or
which could become loose and cause choking; bassinet in the same room as the parents.
g do
 not have a hood, collar, or wrap near the
g Th
 e room should be smoke-free.
face that could cover baby’s mouth and nose; g Th
 e crib should meet Health Canada’s
g meet
 children’s sleepwear flammability  safety standards.
guidelines (Check the label). g O nly use a fitted bottom sheet – no other
g a re made from lightweight fabric; and blankets, bumper pads, pillows or toys.
g fi t properly.
g Th
 e crib rails are raised to their
highest position.
g B
 aby should be placed on his or her back
to sleep.