You should stop swaddling your baby as soon as they show signs of trying to roll over. This typically happens around 2 to 4 months of age, but every baby is different. Continuing to swaddle a baby once they can roll over increases the risk of suffocation and Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS) because they may roll onto their tummy and not be able to use their arms to push up or reposition themselves safely.
Key signs it’s time to stop swaddling include:
- Baby actively trying or beginning to roll over.
- Baby starts breaking out of the swaddle and creating loose fabric.
- Baby showing signs of overheating.
- Baby becomes resistant or fights the swaddle.
Some parents transition out of swaddling gradually by first swaddling with one arm out, then both arms out before stopping completely, or by switching to a sleep sack that allows free arm movement.
In summary, stopping swaddling when rolling starts is the safest and most recommended practice to reduce risk and ensure baby’s safety during sleep.
