Q&A Forum

1/5/21

Jessica

I have a 4 week old girl and I feel she is fighting the swaddle She lost her startle reflex already and is showing signs of trying to roll. Is it too early to be in a swaddle bag with arms out? Can she be already be trying to roll at such a young age? Regards, -Jess

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Posted a response on 3/5/21

Red Nose Education

It is not unusual for babies to wriggle & move around their sleep environment at an early age or resist wrapping.
She may be trying to roll - while it is early, it’s not unusual.
Some babies do not respond well to wrapping & may wriggle to attempt to get out of the wrap/swaddle.
Some babies roll much earlier than others.

Many babies like to touch their face or suck fingers when sleeping.
She may be wriggling a lot because she is resisting her wrap.
You could try wrapping her in a muslin with her arms out - as with a baby around 3 months of age..

If you wrap your baby, consider baby’s stage of development. Leave arms free once the startle reflex disappears around 3 months. Most babies eventually resist being wrapped. Wrapping style should be appropriate for the baby’s developmental stage.

It is essential to discontinue wrapping as soon as baby starts showing signs that they can begin to roll, usually between 4-6 months of age but sometimes younger. Babies must not be wrapped if sharing a sleep surface with another person. Baby should not be wrapped while sleeping in a baby sleeping bag.
https://rednose.org.au/article/is-it-safe-to-wrap-swaddle-my-baby
https://rednose.org.au/article/wrapping-babies

You can use a sleeping bag with arms out at any age, as long as it fits properly, particularly around the neck.
https://rednose.org.au/article/what-is-a-safe-sleeping-bag

Depending on the size of the bassinet, she may be more settled in a cot.
If she does start to roll, it is important to not wrap at all & to move her to a cot.
https://rednose.org.au/article/what-do-we-do-now-that-a-baby-has-started-to-roll-over

How does she go with tummy time when awake?
Is she lifting/holding her head up?

Red Nose does not recommend the use of sleep positioners or anything that restrains a baby in a specific position.
https://rednose.com.au/article/is-it-safe-to-use-products-designed-to-keep-baby-in-a-particular-position

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