How To Transition Baby Out Of The Swaddle

In this blog, we’re exploring everything you need to know about transitioning your newborn or baby out of a swaddle. We’ll discuss the ideal age to start the transition, what to do if your baby is still swaddled, and how to ensure a smooth and safe process for your little one.

Swaddles are an incredible tool—they help calm your baby, promote better sleep, and even help them sleep longer. If you’ve ever watched your newborn sleep, you may have noticed a movement that looks like they’re jumping. This is called the Moro reflex, or startle reflex, and it’s completely normal. Swaddling helps manage this reflex, allowing your baby to sleep more peacefully.

The Moro reflex happens because your newborn’s body is still developing. They’re learning to control their movements and often feel startled as they adjust to this new freedom outside the womb. After spending nine months in a snug, confined environment, the swaddle helps them feel safe and secure in the big, wild world.

So let’s talk about the swaddles. 

Swaddles are not straitjackets. You might come across comments or messages from people questioning how anyone could confine a baby like that. But think about it this way: your baby just spent nine months bundled up safely in the womb. Now that they’re out in the open, the swaddle provides a similar sense of security and it helps them sleep longer. 

Swaddles are designed to help your baby feel safe, snug, and secure. They soften the Moro reflex (that startle reflex that can wake your baby) and allow your little one to sleep longer and more peacefully. That’s the true purpose of a swaddle—to comfort your baby in those early weeks of life.

The recommendation is often to use swaddles during the first 0-12 weeks, at most. If your baby was born early, remember to adjust this timeline to account for their age. And as always consult your pediatrician as needed.

SIGNS IT’S TIME TO TRANSITION:

1. Is your baby rolling?

If your baby is rolling from belly to back or back to belly, it’s time to transition them out of the swaddle.

Once rolling begins—or even if your baby shows signs of wanting to roll in their bassinet or crib—it’s no longer safe for them to be swaddled. A swaddled baby cannot roll themselves back over, which can lead to frustration and, more importantly, safety concerns, such as their face being pressed against the mattress.

To keep your little one safe and comfortable, start transitioning out of the swaddle as soon as you notice these signs.

2. How old is your baby?

If your baby is between 8-11 weeks old, keep a close eye on their age and watch for rolling signs. If they’re approaching the 11-12 week mark, it’s time to transition out of the swaddle, even if they haven’t started rolling yet.

3. Are they starting to use their hands to self-soothe?

If your baby has started sucking on their wrist, hand, thumb, or anything else they can find, and you notice them closing their eyes and soothing themselves to sleep, it’s a great sign that they’re ready to use their hands for comfort. This is an exciting milestone! It means your baby is gaining a little more control over their self-soothing abilities, which is an important step in their development.

4.  Is the swaddle just not working anymore?

If your baby is constantly breaking out of their swaddle, despite trying different types or techniques, it might be time to move on. Instead of dealing with the middle-of-the-night frustration for both you and your baby, go ahead and transition them out of the swaddle.

Set them free—hands and all! This change can bring relief and allow your baby to explore new ways of soothing and settling themselves.

PLAN TO TRANSITION

The big picture is that transitioning from a swaddle to arms out should take no more than one week.

However, we’re not suggesting going straight from a swaddle to nothing at all. The ultimate goal here is to transition your baby into a sleep sack.

Why a sleep sack? At this age, loose blankets or items in the crib are unsafe. Babies can’t use blankets until after 12 months old, but they still need to stay warm and cozy during sleep. A sleep sack—essentially a wearable blanket—is the perfect solution. It keeps your baby comfortable, provides a sense of security for their legs, and maintains safe sleep practices.

THE SWADDLE TRANSITION (WITHIN ONE WEEK)

1. Commit to the plan and communicate with your household.
The first step in transitioning out of the swaddle is to fully commit to the process. Make sure everyone in your household who helps with your baby’s sleep is on the same page.

The worst-case scenario is keeping the plan in your mind but not sharing it. This can lead to frustration—especially if you wake up in the middle of the night and find your baby swaddled again because someone didn’t know about the transition. Clear communication ensures everyone works together to make this a smooth process for your baby.

2. Start the transition at nighttime. 

We always recommend making sleep changes at night. Nighttime sleep tends to be more consistent compared to naps, which can be tricky for newborns. By starting the transition at bedtime, you’re setting the stage for success without adding unnecessary variables to their daytime routine.

3. Begin with one arm out during bedtime.

For the bedtime routine, put your baby in their swaddle but leave one arm out. Complete your usual bedtime routine, then lay your baby in their crib and say goodnight. This introduces them to the new sensation of having an arm free while still keeping them mostly secure.

4. Alternate arms during night wakings.

When your baby wakes during the night for a feed, switch which arm is out of the swaddle. Alternate arms with each waking. This gradual approach helps your baby adjust to the change in a gentle, manageable way.

5. Next naps. Alternate again and keep doing this for about 3-4 days max

At the next nap, continue alternating which arm is out of the swaddle, just as you’ve been doing at night. Stick with this process for about 3-4 days at most—though some babies may adapt even sooner, within just a day or two. As the parent or caregiver, you know your baby best, so trust your instincts and observe how they’re adjusting. The goal is to have your baby comfortably transitioned to having both arms out within a week

6. Transition to a sleep sack on Day 5, 6, or 7.

Once your baby is comfortable with both arms out—typically by Day 5, 6, or 7—go ahead and put them into a sleep sack. 

IF YOU HAVE AN OLDER BABY

If your baby is 3 or 4 months old, you can absolutely still make this transition. However, you might only need to spend one day with the “one arm in, one arm out” method before moving on to both arms out.

If your baby is 5 months or older, we recommend going cold turkey and transitioning out of the swaddle entirely.

Here’s why this is important for older babies:

• By 5 months or beyond, most babies are capable of rolling, which makes swaddling unsafe.
• Prolonged swaddling can delay their ability to outgrow the startle reflex, which is a natural developmental process.
• At this stage, they need to be able to freely move their arms and body for safety and to support healthy development.

It’s also important to remember that anytime your baby goes through changes—like transitioning out of a swaddle or hitting a developmental milestone—some sleep disruptions are normal. Stirring or waking during the night is part of their natural adjustment process.

RECAP

When transitioning out of the swaddle, the process should take no more than one week. Here’s what to do:

• Start by transitioning your baby’s arms with one arm in and one arm out, alternating arms for about 3-4 days.
• After that, your baby will be completely swaddle-free and ready to sleep in a sleep sack.

Now your baby is free and safe to roll and move in their crib. With their arms and limbs unrestricted, they can self-soothe and explore their newfound mobility—a big developmental milestone!

Bonus Tip: If your baby can roll, it’s a great time to move them out of the bassinet and into a crib. They’ll need more space to stretch, roll, and grow.