Transition Swaddles: Helping Your Baby Out of Swaddle
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Are you looking for transition swaddles?
Transitioning baby out of swaddle can get really tricky. But there are proven tricks that you can try.
If you’re wondering how to transition from swaddling, in this article, I’d like to share my personal tips and experiences. Perhaps these strategies can work for you and your baby.
Swaddling is great.
It helps baby sleep better. This method also reduces wake-ups, resulting from her startle reflex. And guess what, swaddling is also great at reducing her anxiety levels.
Yes, swaddling offers countless benefits.
However, the time will come when she will stop using the swaddle.
Perhaps she’s become uncomfortable with the idea of being wrapped around with the cloth. Or maybe she discovers rolling over from her back to her tummy. Or she just simply resists the swaddle that it’s no longer working for you and her.
Don’t fret when these things happen. It’s normal for her preference to change.
But the questions is: do you know how to stop swaddling and transition out of it?
How to transition from a swaddle
Rest assured, the transition will not be as difficult as you think it would.
Yes, there may be a couple of challenges, and the swaddle transition can get tricky. But you have nothing to worry about.
Even if unwrapped in comfy cloth, your baby will still sleep well.
Looking for tips for swaddle transition?
A swaddle may seem like a piece of cloth to you. But for your baby, it’s their source of comfort. It’s an item that’s seemingly ordinary, but it feels like the world to your baby.
What’s a swaddle to your baby?
It gives her a warm and safe feeling of being in the womb.
So when you abruptly take away her swaddle, you’re causing a major change not just in her sleep environment.
If you want to effect this change, approach it with gentle care and sensitivity to your baby’s comfort, sense of security, and happiness.
The swaddle transition should be gradual.
Did you know it takes days or even weeks before your baby will get accustomed to the new changes in her sleep arrangement?
Change isn’t easy. Not for kids and adults. Babies are no exception either. Especially when it’s a major change that potentially causes a big impact on one’s life.
With regards to the use of a swaddle, you should take it slow when you want your baby transitioning out of it. She may find it very difficult to get from one thing and into another.
But here’s a nifty trick I discovered and used when I had my baby transition from the use of a swaddle. I gradually introduced her to swaddle-free naps inside her crib at least once a day.
That way, the changes I instituted in her sleep environment will have little impact on her.
Wondering how to stop swaddling?
This strategy works best if you have some kind of a swaddle transition blanket (this is something you should have in your baby registry checklist).
Wrap your baby around with your arms as you carry her in a swaddle or similar transition blanket.
Now, gradually leave one arm out of the swaddle. Then go for two arms out. Your goal is to have your baby get used to an unswaddled position.
Here’s how it works.
As you attempt to take your arm out of the swaddle, observe what reactions your baby may make.
You’ll know right away if she’s not ready. If even at one arm out, she becomes fussy or feels uncomfortable, then you’ll have to try again in a couple of days or weeks.
However, if she’s sleeping decently with your arm out, gradually take out the second arm and off the swaddle. With the swaddle transition blanket, she should be fine.
To help your baby sleep better during this adjustment phase, you might want to consider using transition swaddles.
What are transition swaddles?
Think of them as suits that are designed to contain your baby, giving her the feeling of comfort and sense of security and safety.
Transition swaddles are great at helping your baby get accustomed to taking naps without her regular swaddle.
It will just take a few weeks of wearing these transition swaddles. After that, you can make the swaddle to sleepsack transition, switching to a wearable blanket. Then it’s arms out swaddle all the way.
Looking for transition swaddles?
Here’s the tricky part.
When it comes to looking for transition swaddles, there will be a lot of trial and error. It’s a necessary process until you find the right one.
Your family and friends may have probably used transition swaddles and are going to recommend a couple of them to you.
But what’s right for them may not be necessarily right for you.
Every baby is different. What works for their kid may not be good for your baby. Or vice versa. So just be patient during all this searching process until you get the ideal one.
Please note that some of these transition swaddles can be a bit warm for your baby. This is one of the essential criteria to consider when looking for the perfect one for your baby.
So when trying out these transition swaddles one by one, make sure she won’t overheat in them and don’t use it when she has a fever.
Better yet, consult your baby’s doctor regarding her sleepwear, which includes these transition swaddles.
Top recommended transition swaddles.
It may take some time for your baby to adjust to her new sleep environment or routine.
But these transition swaddles can help. See which one works best for you and your baby.
Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit Cotton
Top Features:
- Great help for parents in transitioning baby out of swaddle
- Provides the same degree of comfort as the swaddle
- Has openings for baby’s hands and feet for good circulation
- Lets baby comfortably sleep for longer stretches
Did you know this product is hailed as a lifesaver for parents of babies having a hard time transitioning out of swaddle?
The Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is a wonderful transition swaddle designed to establish good sleep patterns for your baby.
It can help your little one let go of the comfort and warmth of a swaddle and into the crib.
This sleepsuit has provisions for your baby’s hands and feet, which is great with circulation. But still, it provides the same level of comfort and warmth of a typical swaddle.
Overall, it is an excellent product that comes highly recommended.
HALO Sleepsack 100% Cotton Swaddle
Top Features:
- Adjustable swaddle that also acts as a wearable blanket
- Grows with your baby during and after her transition from swaddling
- Effectively contains your baby’s startle reflex
- Can be used as an arms-out swaddle
- Fits snugly into her tummy and chest
- Made of 100 percent cotton
Looking for transition swaddles that provide the right comfort for your baby?
Check out the HALO Sleepsack 100% Cotton Swaddle. It’s an adjustable swaddle that’s perfect for use during and after your baby’s transition. This item also serves as a wearable blanket, allowing you to contain her startle reflex.
The HALO Sleepsack fits snugly around your baby’s chest and tummy.
During the swaddling stage, you can use this product as a wearable blanket; it can act as a substitute for the loose blankets in your baby’s crib. This gives her a safe and secure sleep environment.
When she’s no longer swaddled, the HALO Sleepsack can be used as an arms-out swaddle.
I’ve used these with both of my babies and they have loved them!
Classic Baby Blue Zipadee-Zip
Top Features:
- Deemed as the “best swaddle transition solution” as seen on ABC’s Shark Tank
- Very comfortable and easy to use
- Effectively contains your baby’s startle reflex
- Features a star-shaped sleeve design that lets your baby move freely
Check out this relatively new product. It features a star-shaped sleeve design that allows your baby to move around while still feeling snug. This item can also effectively contain your baby’s startle reflex.
What I love most about this product is that it’s not treated with any chemicals. The fabric used is naturally flame-retardant.
The Zipadee-Zip is easy to use. Place your baby in the star-shaped swaddle and zip her up. That’s it! No confusing wrapping or folding needed.
This product is also safe and comfortable. With the Zipadee-Zip, your baby can enjoy a snug fit, giving her the feeling of safety and sense of security in it.
Love to Dream Swaddle Up
Top Features:
- Prevents startle reflex
- Provides soothing comfort and warmth like in the womb
- Easy to use
Once your baby manifests signs that she’s ready to transition from swaddles, this product is perfect to use.
For parents who didn’t have success with the other three transition swaddles, check out the Love to Dream Swaddle Up.
This transition swaddle allows your baby to sleep in her natural position. It’s made of organic cotton, so you can expect it to be comfortable for your baby.
The Love to Dream Swaddle has a patented set of wins that lets your baby have her preferred arms-up position. It is also designed to calm her startle reflex while providing enough space for movement.
The fabric used is stretchable, creating a snug fit for your baby. It gives the feeling like she’s in the womb.
When do you stop swaddling?
Do you love to wrap your baby up like a burrito?
Well, time will come when she’ll have to get out of this phase.
Some parents may dread this thought; after all, how could you not miss that adorable wrapped-up look?
Wondering what’s the best time for transitioning out of swaddle?
There is no universal age to determine if your baby should come out of the swaddle. The exact time to make a swaddle transition may vary for each baby.
The AAP recommends to stop swaddling by 3-4 months. This is because once your baby learns to roll from back to tummy, it can be dangerous if they end up on their stomach when they are swaddled.
Here are good indicators that your baby is ready to transition.
If your baby rolls from her back to her tummy, you need to stop swaddling.
You’ll also need to start on that transition plan if you answered yes to any or all of these questions.
- Does your baby shows an increase in activity and take out her arms during sleep?
- Is she going too mobile or too strong to be swaddled overnight?
- Do you notice a struggle against swaddling?
- Is she trying to get her arms out from her burrito-like wrap?
- Has she started rolling over due to her improved arm and neck strength?
- Does she frequently wake up at night after a history of sleeping well?
- Do you notice a decrease in her startle reflex?
There are three ways to conquer the swaddle transition.
Go cold turkey. Just move her out of the swaddle and into a sleepsack or any of the transition swaddles I mentioned above.
You could also go swaddle with an arm out. This provides your baby with the opportunity to adjust gradually to her new sleep environment.
Or you could opt for the partial night option. If she wakes up, swaddle her back with both arms in. However, make it a point to bring your baby out of the swaddle every night. This gives her the cue of the transition so she can gradually adjust accordingly.
In all cases, be patient and considerate.
All babies are different. Your friend’s baby may have quickly transitioned, but that doesn’t yours will too.
With your doctor’s guidance, only you can make the best decision for your baby. So how fast or slow the swaddling transition should solely depend on your judgment call.
Of course, it helps to have transition swaddles to soothe and calm your baby during this phase.
Do you have transition swaddles or tips in mind?
Feel free to share them below!
