When Should I Stop Swaddling?

Parents should stop swaddling their babies by three or four months. At this time, most full-term infants are acclimated to life outside of the womb and no longer crave the constriction of a swaddle.

It’s also extremely important to give babies over four months old the freedom to move at night. When you stop swaddling baby, you’ll be astonished to see how much he travels around his crib during the night. They scooch and flop from one end to the other, several times a night. All that nighttime movement is important exercise. It helps baby enhance his gross motor development, which is crucial for upcoming milestones like  crawling, standing and  walking. A swaddled baby doesn’t have a chance to refine these skills at night.

Please note: The Bump and the materials and information it contains are not intended to, and do not constitute, medical or other health advice or diagnosis and should not be used as such. You should always consult with a qualified physician or health professional about your specific circumstances.