Is Swaddling Bad for Babies?
NO – More than freedom to explore newborns need security. They need tight boundaries, like they enjoyed in the uterus, to keep from flailing and getting upset.
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11 Responses to “Is Swaddling Bad for Babies?”
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My in-laws make me feel bad that I swaddle my son for naps. They say he looks uncomfortable or he’s in there too tight. He’s 12 weeks and his arms flail about like crazy if he’s not swaddled for naps. He hits himself in the face and wakes himself up and gets irritated. As soon as I swaddle him he’s out like a light and naps for 2 hours w/o waking up. Sorry, I will continue to swaddle until I can’t anymore!
I think this makes sense, but my daughter, from the time she was born, cries and won’t sleep until her arms are free.. but I swaddle her with her arms out. She definitely sleeps better swaddled… she’s just happy with her arms above her head or folded together:)
What about some books and Dr’s saying that swaddling is bad for babies because it cuases developmental problems like retarded motor skills and problems in hip development?
Hi Greg,
Thanks for the question. Swaddling is recommended by many groups, like the American Academy of Pediatrics and Canadian Pediatric Society. In the past, some studies have shown a higher risk of slow gross motor skills in babies who are swaddled most of the day and night and hip dysplasia with tight swaddling. However:
1) Swaddling and white noise are for sleep and fussing…not times babies are really practicing motor skills very effectively! That leaves oodles of time each day for them to practice their muscle skills. Several studies have shown that even young babies (like in Mongolia) with mild motor delay from snug wrapping almost 24 hours/day quickly develop normal development once the swaddling is stopped (usually closer to 1 year of age!).
2) The studies showing hip dysplasia are associated with a tribal, antiquated way of swaddling where the legs are bound together and hips are often rigidly straightened…so the hips cant flex or open up a little. There have been no studies showing an association between modern swaddling (snug arms but room for the legs to bend and move) and hip dysplasia. In fact, the International Hip Dysplasia Institute teaches how to do “hip-healthy” swaddling.
I hope that helps clear up the confusion!
Hi Michelle, You’re right in the toughest period of crying/colic (usually 4-10 weeks). I’m glad you went back to swaddling. It will definitely help your baby sleep better…and to stay only on the back (the side sleeping worries me and is not recommend by the Academy of Pediatrics). But, you will find that she sleeps much better – and you will have an easier time weaning the swaddle at 4-5 months, if you use our CD of womb sounds for naps/nights/fussy periods, or some other white noise source all night as I’ve described in earlier notes to parents on this page. I recommend that for at least the first year…it will really help her sleep better…and you too!
I hope you get some rest and drive carefully!
Dr. Karp
Hi April, if you are wrapping him so his hands get free in minutes, you may as well stop wrapping him. Swaddling must be done snuggly to be effective.
Also, use white noise (as mentioned below) to help his sleep for naps/nights…at least until he is 12 months old.
All best, Dr. Karp
Hi Stacy, Many babies fight the swaddle…but it is what they need (of course in the womb they had NO room to move). I strongly suggest you use swaddling for at least 4 months…but to make it easier, you play our CD or other deep, rumbling sounds 30 minutes before bed and all naps/all nights. If she still fights, add a lot of jiggling on teh edge of the bed or an exercise ball to calm her..or take a look at the Happiest Baby DVD to see the best way to use a swing (always get your doctor’s permission before using a swing…and it should be fully reclined). That will work!! Dr. Karp
Hi Erika,
i don’t know how old your baby is, but grunts and groans …even short cries…are normal during sleep. So, I would not stop the swaddling just yet, but i would add a good, rough white noise, if you are not currently using that.
Happy New Year!
Dr. Karp
Hi Jessica,
Actually, the AAP report did NOT say that swaddling was a problem…they didn’t mention it at all!
In fact, two of the authors of the report just released a booklet on safe sleep recommending swaddling for babies who are fussy sleepers. The evidence shows that proper swaddling (without overheating, not on the stomach) probably reduces SIDS and accidental suffocation! I know it’s confusing, but those are actually the facts.
Happy New Year, Dr. Karp
Dr. Karp
No…in fact, babies who don’t sleep well tend to gain weight from more feeding!
Hi Bahareh,
Please don’t worry! Swaddling a baby 24 hours a day can temporarily delay his motor skills…but they always catch up. HOWEVER, just swaddling for sleep periods has no effect on motor skills (after all they are not really exercising while they sleep). You should use a large blanket so he doesn’t escape the wrap…and use sound (like our white noise download on itunes) all naps/nights…it acts like a teddy bear of sound…keeping babies calm and promoting sleep (even through teething, growth spurts and other distractions)…for at least the first year. And, it makes weaning the swaddling so much easier.
Salaam alekum, Dr. Karp