Swaddling a baby in summer

Can You Swaddle In Summer? (Risks & Precautions)

Swaddled babies sleep sounder, scratch their faces less, and learn how to self-soothe. However, some parents worry that it might not be safe to swaddle their baby in the summer heat.

What can you do to enjoy the benefits of swaddling without overheating your baby?

In this guide, we’ll discuss the safety of swaddling in summer and offer our tips for swaddling your baby during those sweltering summer months.

Table of Contents

Understanding Your Baby’s Body Temperature
Tips for Swaddling Your Baby in the Summer
A Word of Warning
Is My Baby Overheating?
Cooling Your Baby Down

Understanding Your Baby’s Body Temperature

Babies are not able to regulate their body temperature. They cannot shiver when they are cold and cannot remove layers of warmth, such as clothing and blankets, when they get hot ⁽¹⁾.

That is why you must continuously monitor a host of factors to ensure your baby is comfortable and safe.

These factors include:

Your baby’s natural temperature range.
The temperature of your baby’s environment.
How many clothing layers your baby is wearing.
What sort of fabric the clothes are made of.

If you keep these factors in mind, you will be able to swaddle your baby safely during the hottest months of the year.

Tips for Swaddling Your Baby in the Summer

Here are some essential tips for swaddling during the summer.

1. Find the Perfect Wrap

Not every swaddling blanket is created equal.

During the summer, 100% cotton wrap. Cotton is light and breathable.

Muslin is a form of cotton that is very popular for summertime swaddling.

Take Note

Avoid synthetic fabrics and any wraps with a lining.

You can even find baby wraps designed to make swaddling trouble-free. Instead of a large blanket wrapped around your baby in a certain pattern, these wraps feature easy-to-use pouches and zippers.

2. Check Your Baby’s Clothes

When you swaddle your baby, consider what they’re wearing under the wrap. What are your baby’s clothes made out of?

In the summer, make sure you dress your baby appropriately for the hot weather. They should not need more than one layer of clothes. You can even swaddle your baby when they are only wearing a diaper.

When swaddling in the summer, it is also important to make sure your baby’s head isn’t covered by a hat or the swaddling wrap itself. Heat escapes through the head, so keeping it uncovered will help your baby stay cool.

3. Check Your Baby’s Environment

Your baby isn’t the only thing with the potential to overheat in the summer. Your house, car, and stroller can all become sweltering hot. It is especially important to monitor your baby’s room temperature, as babies are often swaddled when put to sleep in their crib.

Quick Tip

Use a digital thermometer or a baby monitor with a room thermometer to keep track of how hot your baby’s room becomes.

To keep the room cool in the summer, consider drawing the blinds or curtains during the day and keeping the lights off. You can also use a fan, placed safely away from where your baby could reach it. Make sure to store fans away when your baby becomes mobile.

If your room is hot despite the use of a fan, it is okay not to swaddle your baby. Leave your baby dressed in only their diaper, and have them sleep on their back.

Editor's Note:

Dr. Pierrette Mimi Poinsett, MD

4. Try Summer Swaddling Techniques

Many different swaddling techniques exist based on your baby’s needs and your preferences. Here are two different swaddling techniques that are particularly useful during the summer.

First is a technique allowing most of your baby’s body to remain uncovered. This keeps your baby cool and allows their limbs access to the cool air around them provided by a fan or air conditioner. However, it also keeps the blanket tight and secure on the upper body, which will prevent your baby from kicking it off.

The second technique is known as the arms-only swaddle. It is ideal for older or larger babies who have trouble sleeping because their arm movements startle them awake.

5. Use a Powder

Use a baby-safe powder containing cornstarch to absorb sweat and prevent rashes. There is a higher chance of your baby becoming toasty and warm in the summer. Friction and sweat can lead to rashes, especially at your baby’s joints. Apply the powder to cool, dry skin before swaddling your baby.

Be sure to put the powder on your hands first. You have to use caution when applying powder to a baby — even baby powder — because it can harm their lungs when inhaled ⁽²⁾.

A Word of Warning

Your first thought on how to keep your baby cool when swaddling may be to wrap your baby loosely in the swaddling blanket. This can be very dangerous. Should your baby be wrapped too loosely, they could kick off the blanket or wrap.

Loose items in the crib, including blankets, can increase your baby’s risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome. If the blanket ends up over your baby’s face or becomes constricted around their neck, it can lead to a scary and potentially fatal situation.

Always make sure you swaddle your baby tightly. If you are concerned about how to swaddle correctly, talk to your pediatrician. Nurses and doctors can instruct you in safe techniques. You can also reach out to trained midwives and doulas.

Is My Baby Overheating?

The easiest way to ensure you swaddle your baby safely during the summer is to monitor your baby’s temperature and watch for signs of overheating.

These are the signs you should be looking for ⁽³⁾:

Hot skin: Feel your baby’s ears and cheeks. If they are hot to the touch and red, your baby may be overheated.
Sweat: If your baby is sweating at all, they are too warm. If you are concerned they may have become too warm, unswaddle them to see.
Rapid breathing: Check to see how fast your baby’s breathing is. Fast, shallow breathing is a sign of overheating.
Room temperature: Your baby could be too hot if they are swaddled and the room is hotter than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Trust your instincts! When in doubt, don’t hesitate to unswaddle your baby and check on them.

Cooling Your Baby Down

If your baby has become overheated, remain calm.

Here are several ways you can safely cool your baby down in no time:

Remove your baby from the swaddle. If needed, remove their clothing.
Carefully fan your baby, or rock them away from your body next to an electric fan.
Using a soft washcloth, gently apply lukewarm water — not cold — directly to their skin.
If your baby seems extremely hot, or if they may have been hot for quite some time, give them a rehydration fluid such as Pedialyte or breastfeed or give them baby formula ⁽⁴⁾.

If your baby vomits or loses consciousness due to heat, call emergency services, or travel to the hospital right away. These signs could signal heatstroke, and your baby will need to be assessed right away.

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Summer Swaddles Information - The Sleep Store

Miracle Blanket - 2-3 layers of T-shirt weight cotton, so a warmer option than many fitted swaddles. Can be used with the legs left out, which makes it a lot cooler. You can also adapt the way the wrap is used to combine with a light sleeping bag or to reduce the layers. This is out most secure wrap so it still the best option for Houdini babies who need very secure wrapping. For day sleeps in summer you will not need any clothing inside during the day and will need to ensure the room is cooled down. Ideal for summer nights as you won't need any additional bedding and you will get the most secure wrap. Can also be combined with a light summer sleeping bag for older babies who still need a very firm swaddle. See our instructions below.

Embe 2 Way Swaddle - One of the few fitted swaddles with the option of legs in or out, allowing your baby to be cooled down, warmed up or have their nappy changed without being unswaddled. The 100% cotton is a jersey knit and the zipper has been designed for no breakouts and a longer, healthier sleep. The starter swaddle also features a no-rise neckline for SIDS Safety and, like all our swaddles it’s considered “hip healthy” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute.

Purflo - These swaddles have been developed to offer parents a safer, healthier bedding solution for newborns and young infants. The All Seasons Swaddle to Sleep Bag features the addition of Amicor Pure – a hypoallergenic fibre approved by Allergy UK to aid prevention of asthma and eczema. Purflo swaddles feature unique breathable panels which help regulate temperature and have the option to swaddle arms in or out. The Purflo Swaddle to Sleep Bag grows with new babies with an extended length which is certified hip healthy. Longer lasting and safe.

Love to Dream - 1 layer of cotton/lycra, in light T-shirt weight fabric. A snug fitting style with arms up. Suitable for babies who prefer their arms up or who don't have much startle reflex. Due to very snug fit you will need little clothing inside. Also available in the LITE version for summer. The LITE version is stretchier, so it has less startle control and may not be suitable for babies who need a very firm wrap.

Halo - The lightweight muslin option is a cool, fitted swaddle for summer days, whilst the medium cotton version is great at night. This is an easy to use swaddle and has plenty of room for legs. It is versatile as it can also be used as a transitional swaddle

SwaddleMe - An easily adjustable, lightweight, Houdini-proof swaddle. Easy nappy changes with the leg pouch opening and a harness opening for use in buggies.

The Sleep Store - A super soft, simple to use swaddle in a lightweight organic cotton fabric. Fitted through the body, the zip goes around the edge of the swaddle so it's easy to pop baby in and out.

Ergo Cocoon - 1 layer of organic cotton, in light T-shirt 0.2 tog weight fabric. A snug fitting style with arms up on the chest. Suitable for babies who don't have much startle reflex or who can sleep with their arms on their chest. Due to very snug fit you will need little clothing inside. Arms can be in or out.

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Swaddling: How do you keep your baby awake | kidsroom.

A child wrapped up and sleeping quietly. Only one head peeks out. As if the stork had just brought it. When visiting new parents, one can often see such a scene. When interviewing young parents, we learn that small children are swaddled. The tight wrap is designed to help babies during the first few weeks while sleeping, it has a soothing effect. Swaddling has become a real trend. But still, how does it work and where does this trend come from, and what exactly does "swaddling" mean? nine0003

What is swaddling?

Swaddling is a technique in which your baby is wrapped in a swaddle and has a calming effect on him. The main objective of the technique is to create a narrow and comforting space that is familiar to the child from the womb. In addition, swaddling should have a positive effect on reducing the Moro reflex. This reflex is innate in every child and manifests itself in children from a sudden noise or vibration, the baby jerks his arms and legs and spreads his fingers. From a sudden noise or vibration, the baby jerks and stretches his arms and legs and spreads his fingers. This process occurs during the falling asleep phase, and thus wakes up the child. nine0007 Modern swaddling is not a new invention at all, it is a modification of various and sometimes very old methods of swaddling. In Germany, these methods were widely used until the 19th century.

Modern swaddling is not a new invention at all, it is a modification of various and sometimes very old methods of swaddling.

One of the main differences from traditional methods is that swaddling is now mainly used to calm the baby and provide him with a more pleasant sleep. nine0012 Previously, it was believed that the soft body of the child should be supported and given shape, in connection with this there was a tight "lacing". As criticism of tight swaddling grew louder, it began to disappear from Western culture from the 18th century.

The basic idea of the old method of swaddling, which is widely used today among many primitive peoples, has been revived. A 2011 scientific study by L. E. Meyer and T. Erler (“Swaddling: a traditional care method rediscovered”) claims that swaddled children have longer and more restful sleep. In addition, with the help of swaddling, the likelihood of spontaneous awakening is reduced. nine0003

Benefits

More restful and longer sleep
Many babies calm down faster in a diaper
The risk of SIDS is reduced because the child cannot turn on his stomach

Risks

Doctors warn against swaddling babies too tight as nerves can be pinched
Risk of hip dysplasia (deformity of the hip joint) is increased
Too tight swaddling increases the risk of overheating

How to swaddle your baby correctly

Swaddling promotes restful sleep and helps your baby calm down. Swaddling for too long poses risks for poor posture and can lead to overheating, one of the main causes of sudden infant death syndrome. Use swaddling only for falling asleep. You can choose a special changing bag or a thin blanket or diaper. Whichever option you choose, technique matters! Your obstetrician will help you with questions. nine0003

Swaddling made easy

Step 1: Place the blanket in a diamond shape in front of you. Place the top corner over the bottom corner to form a triangle. Put the baby in the middle. The head should protrude above the blanket, and the shoulders should be below the fold of the matter.

Step 2: Place your baby's right hand flat against your body. Now lift the right side of the blanket and put it on the baby. Make sure your hand is properly positioned under the cloth. Tuck the edge of the blanket under the body. nine0052 .

Step 3: Fold the bottom of the blanket up over your baby's legs.

Step 4: In the final step, hold the child's left arm against the body and wrap the child. The remaining material is then pushed under your treasure. Ready!

Important

Make sure you don't wrap the blanket too tightly around your body at all stages.

When to stop swaddling

However, there are situations when you need to stop swaddling. At elevated body temperature of the child, in no case should you swaddle, this threatens to overheat due to the fact that the heat cannot escape. Swaddling with congenital hip dysplasia should also be avoided so as not to aggravate the situation. nine0003

Pay attention to your baby's reactions. As is often the case, even this method is not recommended for all children equally. Whether your child is already having a restful sleep, there is no need to swaddle. For some babies, swaddling has the opposite effect. They don't like to be wrapped, it only annoys them. If you notice that swaddling does not bring comfort to your child, then you should not insist.

When to stop swaddling

Swaddling is used mainly for calming and counteracting the "Moro reflex". It is recommended to swaddle a baby only in the first few weeks of life, as the Moro reflex decreases after the second or third month of life. The desire of the child to move increases with age. Your baby wants freedom of movement to develop motor skills. Swaddling in this case will restrict freedom and thus affect the development of motor skills. The increased joy of movement creates additional risk during swaddling. Your child may roll over on their stomach and will no longer be able to return to the supine position on their own. The prone position increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Especially if the child is not observed for a long time during sleep, swaddling should be abandoned. nine0003

A good alternative to swaddling, recommended for babies after the third month, are baby sleeping bags. They still give a sense of security, but do not restrict freedom of movement.

At a glance

Swaddling helps premature and restless babies calm down
Promotes long and stable sleep
Simulates the familiar and comforting feeling of the uterus
Compensates for "Moro reflex"
Swaddling can only be used for sleeping
Correct method takes a little practice
Swaddled children may only lie on their backs
Older children who move independently should not be swaddled

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How to swaddle your newborn in hot weather? nine0001

Reading 7 min. Views 1.7k. Posted by 03/29/2016

Contents

Why are babies swaddled?
Why is it necessary to swaddle a newborn in summer?
How to swaddle a newborn in the heat?
Is it worth it to swaddle a newborn at night in summer?
Until what age should a baby be swaddled for sleep?

With the onset of summer and heat, mothers are puzzled by the question: how to swaddle a newborn baby in summer? And is it really necessary to do this? After all, it’s hard for an adult to endure such weather, and parents don’t know how a newborn feels at such a temperature. To understand this, you need to know all the nuances of swaddling in the summer. nine0003

Why are babies swaddled?

Society has different opinions about summer swaddling. Some mothers believe that it is necessary to swaddle the child so that he is not afraid of his own unconscious movements, and does not scratch himself with his nails in his sleep. However, others believe that it is impossible to swaddle a child.

If the baby lies down and cannot move for a period of up to two months, then its development is inhibited, and the sides can also become numb and create discomfort or pain for the baby.

Many mothers have stopped swaddling their babies because not all pediatricians consider it important. But on the other hand, the baby in a diaper sleeps more calmly, because the state of the newborn excludes the ability to control the movements of his own arms and legs.

Why is it necessary to swaddle a newborn in summer?

A lot of research has already been done - is it necessary to swaddle a newborn in the summer? The advice of grandmothers and mothers about swaddling should not be postponed, because time-tested methods will always be the most optimal, despite the progression of scientists' research. So, the reasons why you need to swaddle your baby in the heat. nine0003

Chaotic and unconscious movements frighten the baby. Consequently, this will affect the nervous system, which is just beginning to develop.
Little babies are very fond of being picked up and swaddling a baby creates the same conditions of constraint.
Creating a familiar atmosphere for the newborn. Until recently, the child was in the tummy, where it was very crowded. Therefore, a sharp release will not be comfortable for the baby.
A swaddled baby falls asleep twice as fast. nine0020
If the baby's skin is dry, it is better to give up diapers and get by with a cotton diaper. It will eliminate hypothermia and overheating of the body and allow the skin to breathe. In this case, the healing of diaper rash will go faster.

It is absolutely necessary to swaddle your baby in the summer if he has diaper rash. Then it is better to refuse diapers (even if the baby is already older than three months) and swaddle in a light diaper for several days. In this case, the baby's skin will breathe and diaper rash will disappear in a couple of days. nine0003

How to swaddle a newborn in hot weather?

Swaddling in the heat of the baby is recommended with a wide or loose swaddling.

With a wide swaddle, only the baby's legs are wrapped. Plus this swaddling natural position of the legs - divorced to the sides. This reduces the risk of diaper rash and dermatitis, as well as prevention of hip dysplasia.

With free swaddling, only the handles are left without a diaper.

Such swaddling in the warm season is best used in combination with a wide one.

Why can't you swaddle a newborn in the heat?

Sometimes there are cases when it is not allowed to swaddle a baby in summer. namely:

If the baby has congenital muscle tone, therefore swaddling a newborn in the heat is contraindicated for individual health reasons.
When swaddling children, you may experience overheating of the body. Therefore, it is recommended not to swaddle children over clothes, but exclusively on the naked body. In this case, only thin cotton diapers should be used. nine0020
If the child has colic, it is uncomfortable for him to lie in one position. In such cases, it is better to put on a light vest, put it on your tummy or press it to your chest.

Also now newborns are not swaddled in the heat with the advent of various specially adapted elegant clothes for a newborn, including scratches and socks. Such products, no worse than diapers, allow the child's body to breathe, as they are most often made of cotton fabric or chintz.

However, for babies, the main thing is not only a beautiful appearance and heat transfer, but also the limitation of space, which will save the baby from fear during sleep, like a diaper.

Some people think that if you constantly swaddle a child tightly, then his legs will straighten out, but this is an erroneous opinion of many parents. If the baby has a pathology of the hip joint or poor blood circulation - this will only aggravate the situation, swaddling should be correct at any time of the year.

Is it worth swaddling a newborn at night in summer? nine0005

Swaddling a newborn at night is especially important. The nervous system of the child and the calmness of the mother depend on it. Children swaddled at night are not afraid of their own movements, they are very comfortable in a constrained position and, given these factors, it is much easier to fall asleep.

According to scientists, in newborn babies, with a sharp knock or rustle at night, a reflex is triggered. From this, the child twitches and wakes himself up with movements that bring fear and prolonged crying. The benefit of swaddling a child lies in the constraint of movements, which excludes involuntary movements. nine0003

If the room is very hot in summer and the mother prefers not to swaddle the baby, this is fraught with hypothermia. After all, even adults cover themselves with a sheet in the heat, but children do not control their own movements, they quickly open up and then freeze. Therefore, swaddling a newborn in the heat at night is a mandatory action of responsible parents.

Until what age should a baby be swaddled for sleep?

After 2 months, it begins to fade away. Therefore, for the first 2, maximum 3 months, a caring mother must necessarily swaddle the baby, and after three months it is no longer so important, she can decide whether the child needs it or not.