Swaddles come in all shapes and sizes. They can include: 

• large, muslin wraps – a large piece of cotton fabric, often covered with patterns
• swaddle pods – fitted sleep bags that cover the arms and are fastened with a zip
• sleep sacks with arm covers – looser sleep bags that have fixed or removable arm covers, fastened with a zip
• velcro swaddles – wraps that fasten using hook and loop closures.  

There is no one right type of swaddle to use.  

Parents, carers and babies themselves may prefer a different kind of swaddle due to factors like: 

• how easy it is to wrap or put on
• whether the arms are held up or down
• how expensive they are
• how warm or cool they are
• the type of fabric they are made of. 

It can be useful to try different types of swaddles to see what works best for your family. More expensive sleep sacks and swaddle pods can often be found on sale, donated or sold second-hand from other parents. 

Sleep sacks and swaddle pods can be simple to put on and may only need to be zipped up. 

Velcro swaddle wraps may have specific folding instructions, so check the packet or manufacturer's website for more information. 

Wrapping a fabric swaddle, like a muslin wrap, can take time and practice to get right. It can become even more complicated with a wriggling, crying baby and you may need some help the first few times. 

A simple step-by-step of swaddling: 

1. lay your swaddle or wrap on a flat surface with a point at the top, bottom, left and right
2. fold the top point of the wrap down until it reaches the centre of the wrap
3. if your wrap is especially large, you may need to fold it in half
4. place your baby on the wrap, face-up with their neck right above the fold at the top
5. gently hold your baby’s right arm alongside their body
6. pull the right point across your baby’s body, in a downward diagonal line
7. tuck the edge of the wrap under the left side of your baby’s body and bottom, leaving their left arm free
8. bring the bottom point of the wrap upwards over your baby’s left shoulder
9. tuck the point into the top of the swaddle
10. gently hold your baby’s left arm alongside their body
11. pull the left side of the wrap across your baby’s chest, covering their left arm
12. make sure the fabric is snug, but not too tight
13. tuck the left edge of the wrap into the swaddle. 

• try a range of different swaddles to see what works best for your baby
• never buy sleep sacks or swaddle pods that are heavy or weighted – these are a SIDs risk
• keep your baby’s hips loose while wrapping to make sure their joints are flexible and grow properly
• make sure the swaddle is secure with all loose ends tucked in
• pay attention to the room temperature and dress your baby accordingly – generally, one more layer than what you are wearing
• always lay your baby on their back for sleeping and while swaddled. 

When a baby is swaddled, their arms cannot move.   

Once your baby starts rolling, they will need to transition out of a swaddle and have their hands free. This is so your baby can roll themselves back over if they end up face-down while sleeping. 

Transitioning out of a swaddle usually happens between 3-6 months of age. It may be earlier or later for some babies. 

Transitioning out of a swaddle can take some trial and error. Your baby may need some time to get used to having their hands loose and they may still have their startle reflex. 

It can be useful to go slowly and release one arm for 1-2 weeks before releasing the second arm. 

Gently loosen one side of the swaddle and help your baby to release their arm before going to sleep. Some sleep sacks will have arm covers or holes that are zipped or held together with snaps.   

Sleep may be difficult during this period but should settle as your baby gets used to having their hands free.