Baby care tips
Dad tip · 2 steps
How to Swaddle a Baby: A Dad’s Step-by-Step Guide
Diamond setup and a snug, hip-friendly wrap for calmer sleep.
General info, not medical advice. Your OB, midwife or pediatrician knows your situation; check with them. Learn more about our medical disclaimer
Steps
Step 1
Set up the diamond
- Lay a thin muslin or cotton blanket in a diamond shape
- Fold the top corner down about 6 inches — creates the straight edge
- Place baby on their back with shoulders just below the fold
Pro tip: Stretchy blankets can come loose — stick with muslin or cotton.
Step 2
Wrap and tuck
- Left corner across body, tuck under back on opposite side — snug at chest, loose at hips
- Fold the bottom up loosely over the feet and tuck it in, leaving the legs room to bend up and out
- Right corner across body, tuck under back — both arms inside, hips free to flex
- Finger check: you should fit at least two or three fingers between the blanket and baby’s chest
- Swaddled = always on their back. Never use a weighted swaddle or weighted blanket
Pro tip: Stop swaddling at the first sign baby is trying to roll over. Some babies start as early as 2 months.
Common mistakes
- Wrapping the legs straight and tight. Hips need to bend up and out; tight, straight wrapping is linked to hip dysplasia.
- Laying a swaddled baby on their side or tummy, or leaving them unwatched where they could roll.
- Piling extra layers on a swaddled baby. Sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash or fast breathing mean they’re too hot.
- Still swaddling once baby starts working on rolling.
Safety
- A swaddled baby sleeps on their back only, every time, on a firm, flat surface, and is watched so they don’t roll over.
- Stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows any sign of trying to roll over. That goes for sleep sacks that hold the arms and chest too; a sleep sack that lets baby move freely can stay.
- No weighted swaddles or weighted blankets: they put too much pressure on a baby’s chest and lungs.
- A swaddle that comes undone is a loose blanket that can cover your baby’s face. Keep the crib clear of loose bedding.
- Your baby is safest in their own crib or bassinet, not in your bed.
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