Is baby swaddling safe, when should it be stopped?

Swaddling is commonly used, especially in the early months, to reduce waking from the baby's "Moro reflex" (startle reflex). If your 3-month-old is still swaddled, the most important thing to watch for: is your baby showing rolling signs? If he's starting to roll to the side or roll back while on his back, you need to stop swaddling immediately because a swaddled baby who rolls onto his stomach and can't roll back is at risk.

AAP and general pediatric guidelines recommend stopping swaddling after 2 months — at the very latest when baby starts rolling. For safe swaddling: legs are free from the hips (not too tight, to prevent hip dysplasia), arms are wrapped close to the body but loose enough to breathe. Baby should always be placed on his back, never on his side or stomach while swaddled.

If he hasn't started rolling yet, you can continue nighttime swaddling for a while, but starting to keep his arms out during daytime naps is a good transition method. There may be some fussiness for a few nights after stopping swaddling — this is normal and usually settles within a few nights.