Reviewed by The Mom Store editorial team, October 2026. See our editorial policy.
To swaddle a newborn safely, wrap them in a thin cloth that is snug around the chest and arms but loose around the hips, keep it below the shoulders, always put them down on their back, and stop as soon as they show signs of trying to roll. Swaddling is optional. Some babies settle better wrapped and others fight it, and both are fine.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes in its parents' guide to safe sleep that swaddling does not reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). It is a way to comfort a baby, not a safety measure, so the safe sleep basics still apply whether you swaddle or not.
What to use
A large square of thin muslin or mulmul cotton works well, or a ready made swaddle wrap. The Lullaby Trust's advice on swaddling is to use lightweight material such as thin muslin or a thin cot sheet, and not to swaddle with a blanket because your baby could overheat. That matters in Indian summers in particular. If you buy a swaddle wrap with velcro or zips, check that it meets safety standards and follow the maker's instructions, including any weight limit.
Never use a weighted swaddle or weighted blanket. The AAP warns these can put too much pressure on a baby's chest and lungs.
How to swaddle, step by step
These steps follow the AAP guide Swaddling: is it safe for your baby?
- Spread the cloth flat on a safe, low surface with one corner folded down.
- Lay your baby face up, with their head above the folded edge so no fabric is near the face.
- Straighten your baby's left arm, bring the left corner of the cloth across the body and tuck it under the right arm.
- Bring the right arm down, fold the right corner over the body and tuck it under the left side.
- Fold or twist the bottom of the cloth loosely and tuck it under one side, leaving plenty of room for the legs.
Check two things before you put your baby down. First, you should be able to slide two or three fingers between your baby's chest and the swaddle. Second, the legs should be able to bend up and out at the hips. The AAP explains that wrapping the legs straight and tight can contribute to hip problems, including hip dysplasia, and the Lullaby Trust gives the same advice.
Safe sleep with a swaddled baby
- Back to sleep, every time. The AAP says swaddled babies who end up on their tummy have a higher risk of SIDS and suffocation. Never put a swaddled baby down on their front or side.
- No extra bedding on top. The Lullaby Trust says never to add extra blankets over a swaddled baby. A loose swaddle that comes undone can also cover the face, so wrap it securely.
- Watch for overheating. Signs the AAP lists include sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash and fast breathing. Feel your baby's chest or the back of the neck; if it is hot or sweaty, remove a layer.
- Not when bed sharing, and not with a fever. The Lullaby Trust advises against swaddling if your baby sleeps in your bed or has an infection or fever.
- Own sleep space. Your baby should sleep on a firm, flat surface in their own cot or bassinet, with no pillows, bumpers or soft toys.
When to stop
Stop swaddling with the arms wrapped in as soon as your baby shows any sign of trying to roll. The AAP notes some babies start working on rolling as early as 2 months, and the AAP safe sleep guide puts it usually around 3 to 4 months. A baby who rolls onto their tummy while swaddled cannot use their arms to push up or roll back.
After that, a sleep sack that does not wrap the arms and lets your baby move freely can be used for as long as you like, according to the AAP. Some daycare centres do not allow swaddling at all, so it is worth asking if your baby will be cared for outside the home.
This article is general information and does not replace advice from your doctor.
