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The 4 Rules of Safe Swaddling Every Parent Must Know

Aug 14, 2025 By SwaddleAn

Swaddling is an old but valuable practice to ensure your baby’s safe sleep. However, this method requires some important know-how for utmost safety. The good news is that a few small adjustments can make a huge difference.

This guide contains key safety principles from experts. You can walk away with confidence, knowing you are creating the safest sleeping environment for your little one.


Rule #1: Always Place Baby on Their Back

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP), infants should always sleep on their backs. Sleeping on their tummy may lead to suffocation—one of the main causes of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Meanwhile, side-sleeping is also a “prone position” to stomach-sleeping.

Remember this one golden rule: always put your baby on their back to sleep, with or without a swaddle.

A swaddled newborn sleeping on his back, which is rule of safe swaddling.
Make sure your baby is sleeping on their back.

Rule #2: Swaddle in a Hip-Friendly Way

The National Library of Medicine (NLM) confirms that traditional swaddling can lead to hip dysplasia. This is because it restricts a baby’s lower limbs, keeping them from moving freely.

When swaddling your little one, you should leave enough space at the bottom so that they can keep the “frog-leg position” naturally. This is the NLM-recommended posture for safe swaddling, allowing the baby to stretch or bend freely. Check out our guide on hip-healthy swaddling to learn this crucial technique!

Rule #3: Avoid Overheating

Whoever wants their baby to get clammy and overheated during the night? Overheating is a recipe for restless sleep. Even worse, when there’s poor air circulation and heat can't escape, it can increase the risk of SIDS.

Regularly check your baby’s temperature by touching their chest and the nape of their neck, not their hands and feet. Also, the cooling ability of a swaddle blanket pretty much depends on its Thermal Overall Grade (TOG). We recommend choosing a TOG by season for year-round comfort.

Rule #4: Know When to Stop

Here’s a non-negotiable safety rule: Stop swaddling when a baby shows signs of rolling over (commonly from 2 to 4 months). The reason is like when an infant sleeps on their tummy, but with a greater risk of SIDS. Imagine your swaddled baby rolls over with all hands and legs restricted.

We’ve seen many cases where swaddled babies flipped over, yet they couldn’t pull their bodies up or roll back to breathe normally. If their parents hadn’t come in promptly, we couldn’t have thought of what would happened.

So, it’s of paramount importance to detect early signs and know when to stop swaddling properly.

Rule of safe swaddling: Baby trying to roll over, this is sign to stop swaddling.
Stop swaddling when your baby starts rolling over.

The Goal of Proper Swaddling Technique: Snug but Not Tight

For a perfect cocoon, the upper part should snugly embrace your baby’s hands to prevent the Moro (startle) reflex. The bottom part should always be roomy and comfortable. Practice makes perfect; there is no shortcut to mastering the art of swaddling.

For a step-by-step guide with , read our beginner-friendly instructions on how to swaddle safely.


Recognizing Safety Warning Signs

The Risk of a Loose Swaddle

A loosened swaddle blanket can become a safety hazard in a crib. As your baby moves while sleeping, the swaddle can easily cover their face, potentially resulting in suffocation. That’s why a proper swaddle wrap is key.

Signs of Overheating

A mother is checking her baby temperature to avoid overheating, which is crucial for safe swaddling.
Look for signs of overheating in your baby while sleeping.

Here are five indicators of overheating that you should look for:

  1. Clammy, sweaty
  2. Wet hair
  3. Flushed cheeks
  4. Rapid breathing
  5. Heat rash (patches of small, red blisters or bumps)

When is a baby's resistance a warning?

You follow the swaddling instructions correctly, but your little one keeps crying and becomes fussy. You check on the baby, but no dirty diapers and no signs of hunger or overheating. If this is the case, it may be your baby’s way to resist the swaddle blanket.

Sometimes, it’s not you but the “tool” to blame. Consider different types of swaddles to pick a well-suited alternative.


Quick Checklist for a Safe Swaddle

Make sure you tick all the boxes below for a safe swaddle:

  • [  ] Your baby sleeping on their back?
  • [  ] The swaddle blanket below their shoulders, with their face and neck uncovered?
  • [  ] The swaddle snug but not too tight? (Can you fit 2-3 fingers in the chest area?)
  • [  ] There enough room for your baby to move freely?
  • [  ] Your baby at a comfortable temperature and not too hot?
  • [  ] Your baby showing no signs of rolling over?

Swaddle with Confidence!

Safety is the cornerstone of all baby care. By mastering these rules, you can feel completely at ease and enjoy the wonderful benefits that swaddling offers. Swaddle An encourages all parents to always put safety first and trust their instincts to provide the best care for their little one. This is what we pursue, as all our products echo safety, care, and comfort.

Ready to practice safe swaddling and give your little one the utmost safety for their sleep? Shop our bamboo swaddle blanket now!


Related Blog Posts

Guide to Choosing the Perfect Swaddle: 4 Key Factors to Consider

When To Stop Swaddling Your Baby? A Guide from Experts


References

  1. American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Recommendations: https://safesleep.mo.gov/american-academy-of-pediatrics-recommendations
  2. Developmental Dysplasia of Hip and Post-natal Positioning: https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8688658/
Dr. MONA

Dr. MONA

Pediatrician, Sleep Specialist

--Content is referenced by SwaddleAN from the sharing of Dr. MONA--
Dr. Mona Amin—a pediatrician, lactation consultant, and mom of two. My mission is to empower you with confidence on your parenting journey. Parenthood is one of life’s most challenging (and rewarding) adventures, and I’m here to help make it a whole lot easier.