Swaddling should be stopped when a baby shows signs of starting to roll over, usually between 2 to 4 months of age. This is important because swaddling a baby who can roll over may increase the risk of suffocation or Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), as the baby could roll onto their tummy and not be able to use their arms to push back up safely. Additionally, other signs to stop swaddling include the baby frequently breaking out of the swaddle, showing signs of overheating, fussiness when swaddled, or a preference to sleep with arms free. Gradual transitioning from swaddling can help, such as swaddling with one arm out before fully stopping swaddling, and using sleep sacks as a safe alternative.
