How to Swaddle a Newborn Safely
Swaddling can help some newborns settle. Learn how to swaddle safely, when to stop and what to avoid.
Before you use this guide: This is general educational information, not an individual medical assessment. We do not identify a clinician reviewer on this page, so please confirm personal health decisions with your doctor, midwife or paediatrician.
Swaddling means wrapping your baby snugly in a thin blanket or a swaddle so their arms are held close to their body. Many newborns find it soothing because it feels like the womb, and it can stop their startle reflex from waking them. Swaddling is optional, and some babies simply do not like it. When it is done correctly, it can be used safely. Advice varies between health services, so ask your midwife or health visitor what is recommended where you live.
Safe swaddling basics
- Always lay your baby on their back to sleep.
- Use a thin, breathable fabric such as cotton or muslin. Avoid heavy blankets and weighted swaddles, which safety organisations advise against.
- Keep your baby's face and head uncovered at all times.
- Wrap snugly around the chest, but loosely around the hips and legs, so your baby can bend their knees up and out. Tight wrapping of the legs can harm hip development.
- Check the wrap is not so tight that it restricts breathing. You should be able to fit two or three fingers between the swaddle and your baby's chest.
- Make sure the fabric cannot ride up over your baby's mouth and nose.
- Avoid overheating. Check by feeling your baby's chest or the back of the neck. If they are hot or sweaty, remove a layer. A room temperature of about 16 to 20 °C (61 to 68 °F) is usually advised.
How to swaddle with a blanket
- Lay a square blanket flat like a diamond, and fold the top corner down about 15 cm (6 inches).
- Lay your baby on their back with their shoulders just below the folded edge.
- Hold your baby's left arm gently by their side. Bring the left corner across their body and tuck it under their right side.
- Fold the bottom corner up loosely over their feet, leaving plenty of room to move their legs.
- Bring the right corner across and tuck it under their left side. Check the fit around the chest and hips.
When to stop swaddling
Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll over, which can be from about two months and sometimes earlier. A swaddled baby who rolls onto their front cannot use their arms to protect their breathing, and that is dangerous. Many parents move to a sleeping bag or sleep sack at this point.
Swaddling and safe sleep
- Place your swaddled baby on a firm, flat mattress in their own cot or bassinet, with nothing else in it. No pillows, bumpers, toys or loose blankets.
- Do not swaddle your baby when sleeping on a sofa or armchair, or if you are sharing a bed.
- Never leave a swaddled baby unattended on a raised surface.
- If your baby has been diagnosed with hip dysplasia or is in a hip brace, ask your clinician before swaddling.
Alternatives to try
If your baby hates having their arms held, they may settle better with their arms out of the swaddle, in a sleeping bag with arm holes, or with a hand-on-chest hold and shushing. Whatever you choose, follow our guide to safe sleep for babies.
Trusted resources to read next
These public health resources provide additional information. Guidance can vary by country, so prioritise advice from your own care team and local health service.
- CDC: Helping babies sleep safely — Safe sleep environment recommendations for babies.
- NHS: Early days — Newborn checks, feeding, and support during the first days.
This content is for general information only and is not medical advice. Every pregnancy and every baby is different. Always talk to your doctor, midwife or paediatrician about your own situation, and seek urgent care if you are worried.