Swaddle vs. Sleep Sack: Advantages, Drawbacks, Dangers

Many dad and mom flip to both swaddles or sleep sacks to maintain their child snug whereas sleeping. Swaddling is also used as a strategy to soothe a fussy new child and promote sleep—particularly as they alter to life outdoors the womb.

“Swaddling is a standard observe of wrapping a child gently in a light-weight blanket in a approach that mimics the womb,” says Jessica Morse, MD, a new child medication pediatrician at Kids’s Well being and assistant professor at UT Southwestern Medical Middle, including that there are several types of swaddle blankets, together with breathable muslin or cotton blankets.

A sleep sack, then again, is an alternative choice to conventional swaddling and is a specially-designed child garment for safe sleeping. However deciding which is finest to your child is not all the time easy. Because of this, we spoke with pediatric consultants to search out out the advantages and dangers of swaddles vs. sleep sacks and find out how to decide which is best for you. 

What Is a Swaddle?

Swaddling refers to snugly wrapping your child’s arms close to their chest to recreate the feeling that they had within the womb, explains Stephanie Napolitano, MD, a neonatologist at Nationwide Kids’s Hospital. “Swaddling your toddler may help soothe them by giving them boundaries that they developed contained in the birthing mother or father.”

Historically, swaddling is finished with a blanket, says Dr. Napolitano. “Nevertheless, once we swaddle with a blanket and go away infants unobserved throughout sleep, it will possibly turn into free and unwrap because the child strikes, and the free blanket can create a suffocation danger for an toddler.”

Because of this, pre-made swaddles or wearable blankets have been developed to supply infants that containment however with blankets that may wrap and safe, typically with wings or straps and Velcro.

“A pre-made swaddle is mostly extra handy than utilizing a blanket that must be specifically wrapped and folded, however each serve the identical function,” provides Rebekah Diamond, MD, an assistant professor of pediatrics at Columbia College, and the writer of Mother or father Like a Pediatrician. 

Professionals and Cons of Utilizing a Swaddle

Swaddling an toddler supplies that tactile suggestions wanted to assuage or calm them within the most secure approach throughout sleep, says Dr. Napolitano. That mentioned, there are some drawbacks to utilizing a swaddle as nicely. Right here’s an summary of the professionals and cons of swaddling.

Advantages of Swaddling

• Offers tactile suggestions
• Could be soothing and calming
• Creates sensation of being within the womb
• Promotes sleep

Drawbacks of Swaddling

• Can pose challenges in making an attempt to wake your child from a deeper sleep
• Will increase danger of overheating
• Might intrude with breastfeeding if child sleeps too lengthy
• Could be tough to make use of appropriately

Security Concerns for Utilizing a Swaddle

Usually, it’s really useful that you just cease swaddling your child once they present indicators of being able to roll over. Typically, this happens round 3 to 4 months of age or older—although each toddler is totally different.

“As soon as that is the case, infants ought to by no means be swaddled with their arms inside,” says Dr. Diamond. “Swaddles can nonetheless be used after this age if each of the child’s arms are free.”

When you find yourself utilizing a swaddle, additionally be sure that the swaddle isn’t close to your child’s face or too tight round their chest or hips, provides Dr. Napolitano. “[Their] hips ought to have ample house to maneuver and develop.”

There additionally is a few proof that swaddling might make it more difficult for infants to wake from a deeper sleep. And, whereas this prolonged snoozing could also be engaging for sleep-deprived dad and mom, this could intrude with breastfeeding and vitamin, in addition to enhance the danger of sudden toddler demise syndrome (SIDS). There is also a danger of overheating–particularly in case you discover damp hair, flushed cheeks, or perhaps a warmth rash.

You possibly can scale back the danger of overheating by dressing your child appropriately, says Dr. Napolitano. “ rule of thumb is mostly what you’re snug carrying, plus one layer.”

What Is a Sleep Sack?

A sleep sack is much like a swaddle, however a lot much less restrictive, explains Robert Quillin, MD, a board-certified pediatrician and medical director at Pediatrix Medical Group. “Sleep sacks have unrestricted arm motion, which will be sleeved or sleeveless [and] the decrease portion is looser and permits your child to maneuver their legs extra freely.”

Sleep sacks additionally don’t have the identical skill to wrap tightly round a child’s torso and arms however as a substitute has a pouch-like form that infants will be zipped into, says Dr. Diamond. “A blanket or any free fabric is unsafe for toddler sleep, so sleep sacks change blankets for added heat and luxury.”

Professionals and Cons of Utilizing a Sleep Sack

As a result of blankets pose a danger of suffocation for infants youthful than 24 months, a sleep sack is a safer possibility, says Maria Lopez, a sleep knowledgeable and director of Sleep Sense en Espanol. “A sleep sack additionally retains your baby heat all evening.” 

Listed here are among the advantages and downsides of utilizing a sleep sack:

Advantages of Utilizing a Sleep Sack

• Can be utilized even when your child can roll
• Secure for newborns
• Could also be simpler to make use of than a swaddle

Drawbacks of Utilizing a Sleep Sack

• Is available in restricted sizes
• Is probably not helpful or protected as soon as a child can stand or turns into cell

Security Concerns When Utilizing a Sleep Sack

In line with Dr. Quillin, the identical security concerns that apply to a swaddle additionally apply to a sleep sack. “The load or thickness of the blanket might actually be the one potential security concern when used appropriately.” 

That mentioned, whenever you select a sleep sack, be sure that it is roomy sufficient without spending a dime motion, particularly in case your baby can sit or get up, says Lopez. “As with swaddles, don’t use weighted sleep sacks, and keep away from overdressing your baby when utilizing one. Ensure that the material is acceptable for the climate to forestall overheating.”

Find out how to Resolve Between a Swaddle or Sleep Sack 

Selecting between a swaddle and a sleep sack when your child is underneath 3 to 4 months of age—they usually’re not but rolling over—actually comes down to non-public choice and your targets. 

In case you have a fussy child who wants consolation and safety throughout naps, you might wish to swaddle them occasionally. But when your child enjoys transferring their arms and kicking their legs—even when they will’t roll over—they might choose a sleep sack.

The climate and temperature of the room additionally must be thought of. Swaddling in a heat room or throughout sizzling climate might trigger your child to overheat as a result of restrictive nature of the swaddle. In these conditions, a light-weight sleep sack could be a greater possibility for nighttime sleeping—so long as you don’t overdress them.

Finally, although, Lopez recommends utilizing age as the first resolution maker. “I don’t advocate swaddling infants over 4 months, no matter whether or not or not they’ve realized to roll over.” 

As an alternative, she suggests utilizing a sleep sack as quickly as your baby exhibits indicators of rolling over or is 4 months or older. “Taking into consideration your baby’s preferences, it is going to be very simple to inform early on whether or not your child likes to be swaddled or prefers utilizing a sleep sack.”