NEWBORN SLEEP

How to Swaddle a Newborn Safely: Step-by-Step Guide and When to Stop

Swaddling can help some young babies feel settled, but it needs to sit inside safer-sleep guidance. This practical guide explains how to use a thin wrap securely without restricting the hips, how to prevent overheating and when arms-in swaddling must stop.

Before you start: the safer-sleep essentials

Swaddling does not replace safer-sleep guidance. Put your baby on their back for every sleep, on a firm, flat, waterproof mattress in a clear cot or Moses basket. For the first six months, the safest place is in the same room as you.

Use a thin muslin or lightweight cotton sheet, not a thick or fleecy blanket.
Keep your baby’s face and head completely uncovered.
Do not add loose bedding over a swaddled baby.
Never swaddle when bed-sharing, or when your baby has an infection or fever.

Six checks for safer swaddling

Always place your baby on their back The safest sleeping position is on the back for every sleep, whether a baby is swaddled or not.
Use thin material Use a lightweight material such as a thin muslin or thin cotton sheet. Do not use a thick blanket or place extra bedding over a swaddled baby.
Use minimum clothing Avoid overdressing your baby beneath the swaddle and keep their head uncovered. Babies do not need hats indoors.
Check their temperature Feel the chest or back of the neck. If the skin feels hot or sweaty, remove one or more layers.
Keep an eye on the room temperature The Lullaby Trust describes 16–20°C as a comfortable room temperature for sleeping babies.
Secure the wrap without restricting the hips Keep the material below the shoulders and secure enough not to come loose, while leaving room for breathing and natural movement around the hips.

Arms in versus arms out

Arms-in swaddling means both arms are contained by the wrap. Once a baby shows signs of rolling, stop swaddling them with their arms inside the material so they can use their arms if they roll onto their tummy.

If you use a purpose-made swaddling or transition product, check that it fits your baby well and follow the manufacturer’s individual sizing and usage instructions.

When to stop swaddling

Stop swaddling with the arms inside as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll. Do not wait for a particular age or for a complete roll: development varies, so your baby’s behaviour is the important signal.

Materials, clothing and temperature

Overheating increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS). UK safer-sleep guidance recommends a room temperature of around 16–20°C. Use the minimum clothing needed beneath a thin swaddle and do not add another blanket over it.

Check your baby’s chest or the back of their neck rather than their hands or feet. If their skin feels hot or sweaty, remove a layer. Their hands and feet can normally feel cooler than the rest of their body.

Common swaddling mistakes to avoid

Putting a swaddled baby down on their side or front instead of their back.
Using thick, padded or fleecy material, or adding bedding on top.
Wrapping above the shoulders or leaving fabric loose enough to cover the face.
Straightening and tightly binding the legs instead of leaving the hips free to move.
Continuing arms-in swaddling after signs of rolling begin.
Swaddling while bed-sharing, or when a baby has a fever or infection.
Covering the head or using a hat indoors for sleep.

If you are unsure

Ask your midwife or health visitor to show you how to wrap your baby and check the fit. If your baby is unwell or you are worried about them, use NHS services for advice rather than relying on swaddling to settle them.

This source-linked guide summarises published NHS and Lullaby Trust information. It has not been independently clinically reviewed by Floreo and does not replace advice tailored to your baby.

Frequently asked questions about swaddling

Is swaddling safe for a newborn?

Swaddling can be used more safely when a baby is always placed on their back, the material is thin and secure below the shoulders, the head stays uncovered, the hips can move and the baby does not overheat. Never swaddle when bed-sharing or when a baby has a fever or infection.

When should I stop swaddling my baby?

Stop swaddling with the arms inside as soon as your baby shows signs of trying to roll. Do not wait for a set age or a complete roll, because babies reach this stage at different times.

Can a baby sleep with their arms out of the swaddle?

Yes. Once rolling signs appear, the arms must be free. A correctly sized arms-out sleep bag or other non-restrictive sleepwear can help with the transition when used according to its instructions.

What should a newborn wear under a swaddle?

Use the minimum clothing needed for the room and a thin swaddling material. The NHS recommends a room temperature of around 16–20°C. Check the chest or back of the neck; if your baby feels hot or sweaty, remove a layer.

Can I use a blanket to swaddle my baby?

The Lullaby Trust advises using thin swaddling materials such as a muslin or thin cotton sheet rather than a thick blanket, which may contribute to overheating. Do not put extra bedding over a swaddled baby.

How tight should a swaddle be around the hips?

A swaddle should be secure at the upper body but loose around the hips. Your baby’s hips and knees need room to bend, open and move naturally; tightly straightening the legs can contribute to developmental dysplasia of the hip.

Can I swaddle my baby while bed-sharing?

No. The Lullaby Trust advises never swaddling a baby when bed-sharing. The safest place for the first six months is a separate cot or Moses basket in the same room as you.

How to swaddle a newborn: two demonstrations

Pathways.org discusses “How to Swaddle a Newborn: Step-by-Step Guide + When to Stop Swaddling”. This video has passed Floreo Baby Hub's owner screening and is paired with current NHS baby-development guidance so families can check the wider context and find professional support when needed.

Watch the demonstration