3 Benefits of Using Swaddles and Sleep Sacks for Your Baby

If there is anything I SWEAR BY as a parent, it’s using a sleep sack to help your child sleep better.

My son is very hyperactive, and even as a baby he was constantly moving. I sleep-trained my kids early on, and they were – and still are – great little sleepers.

But, you better believe, almost every minute they were awake they were bouncing off the walls with energy!

The second I would zip them up in their sleep sacks, though, it was as if they suddenly had an off button! They’d instantly calm down and be ready for bed. It was AMAZING!

Like sleep sacks – swaddles, for younger babies – have a similar effect. But that’s not the only magical thing about swaddles and sleep sacks…today I’m getting into all the reasons I love using them!

Swaddles and sleep sacks are both great cueing systems that it’s time to sleep.

Sleep sacks – and swaddles if your baby is young enough – are a great cueing system, and had this magical effect on my kids. It’s like as soon as they hear the zipper or get hugged and snug in the velcro wrap, they’re instantly calmed and ready to sleep.

The more you use them, the more your child will associate them with sleep! And before you know it, you’ll start to see little yawns accompanying the sound of the zipper.

They’re simply excellent tools for helping your child transition from an active, awake period to a calm and quiet time for rest.

If your baby is young enough (and it’s still developmentally appropriate), I recommend getting them in a swaddle as soon as you start to see if or when they are getting erratic with their hands, pulling at their face, or flailing their arms.

Pro-tip: The key is to put your baby in their swaddle before they get super overtired and upset. Some parents think their baby doesn’t like the swaddle because they’re already overtired and upset when they put them in it. They’re simply too late. If you find yourself in this situation, try swaddling a little earlier, like when you see any of the signs listed above.

Swaddles are great for soothing a young baby.

It’s no secret that babies cry; it’s how they communicate. Newborns will also sometimes experience an extra fussy period in the evenings – known as “the witching hour” – where there is little to nothing a parent can do to calm them.

However, swaddling can sometimes help! Wrapping your baby up nice and snug helps recreate the tight feeling they experienced in the womb. This can be incredibly soothing, especially during the fourth trimester and that “witching hour” I mentioned.

Swaddling will also prevent your baby from startling themselves awake while their Moro Reflex (also known as the startle reflex) is still being triggered in those first few months of life.

Swaddles and sleep sacks are a safe option to keep your baby comfortable while sleeping.

Per the American Academy of Pediatrics recommendations, babies under a year old should only sleep in an empty crib, bassinet, or play yard, and be placed on their back. Nothing should be in the crib with them besides a fitted sheet (no loose blankets or bedding, stuffed animals, crib bumpers, etc.). Because of this, swaddles or sleep sacks are really the only option parents have for making sure their little one is comfortable.

I highly recommend the Summer Infant SwaddleMe Stage 1 Swaddles for newborn babies. They have velcro and are super easy to use.

Your baby can safely be swaddled until they show any signs of rolling. For most babies, this will be between 8-12 weeks. You should for sure stop swaddling your baby by the time they are 3.5-4 months old. If you’re reading this and you have a 4- or 5-month-old still swaddled, it’s time to remove it…tonight!

I usually don’t recommend any sort of transitional product – you’d only use it for a few weeks anyway. Just move right from a swaddle into a sleep sack.

If you’re on the earlier side of this transition, you can definitely take your time with transitioning from a swaddle to a sleep sack; Start with one arm out of the swaddle for a few nights, then both arms out for a few nights, and finally, put them in a sleep sack. If they’re a little older, you can just do it cold turkey.

One other thing to keep in mind, from a safety perspective, is that you don’t want your baby to overheat, as that increase the risk of SIDS. A good rule to go by is however many layers you’re comfortable in…plus one. So, if you’re wearing one layer of pajamas and sleeping under a blanket, your baby will probably be comfortable in pajamas plus a swaddle or sleep sack. Think of their swaddle or sleep sack as a wearable blanket.

To ensure your baby isn’t too hot or too cold, you can check them centrally – their head, neck, or chest area – as this is a good indicator of whether they are uncomfortable or not.

Sleep sacks are great to use throughout the years your child will spend in their crib. As they get older and more mobile, it may also help prevent them from crib climbing!

Be aware of some products on the market that are weighted or have a weighted bean sack built into them – the AAP’s current recommendations advise against using any sort of weighted blankets or sleep sacks within the first year. I honestly wouldn’t be surprised if these products begin to get recalled now that they go against the official recommendations from the AAP.

Have questions about swaddling, sleep sacks, or safe sleep?? I’m your girl! You can inquire about working together here. As a Pediatric Sleep Consultant and Registered Nurse, you can bet I always have your baby’s best interest at the forefront when working together. Reach out today, I’d love to hear from you!