A few important things to keep in mind: The swaddle should be snug, but not too tight. You should be able to place two to three fingers between your baby’s chest and the blanket, and the blanket should be loose around her hips so she can move her legs freely.
Is a tight swaddle bad?
Don’t swaddle your baby too tightly. Babies who are swaddled too tightly may develope problems with their hips. The Pediatric Orthopaedic Society of North America and the AAP Section on Orthopaedics, promotes “hip-healthy swaddling” that allows the baby’s legs to bend up and out.
How many hours a day should baby be swaddled?
How many hours a day should a baby be wrapped? All babies need some time to stretch, bathe, and get a massage. But, you’ll probably notice your baby is calmer if she’s swaddled 12 to 20 hours a day, to start with.
Can a baby be swaddled all night?
Swaddling for short periods of time is likely fine, but if your baby is going to spend a significant amount of the day and night swaddled, consider using a swaddling sleep sack that lets the legs move. It may not be quite as effective from a calming standpoint, but it is safer for the hips.
Are sleep sacks safe for newborns?
Yes. It is generally safe for infants to sleep in a sleep sack which allows their arms to be free and hips and legs to move once they start to roll over. This ensures that they are able to move about freely and can push themselves up when they start to roll over on their own.