Swaddling An Older Baby

Photo: @lfetters

Swaddling An Older Baby

We have quite a few parents ask about swaddling their older babies. You may be wondering how long your little one will be able to enjoy his Ollie Swaddle. Or perhaps you’ve just discovered the Ollie, and you’re not sure if it’s too late to be of any use to your little one. There are many reasons that you may be able to swaddle an older baby.

First, let’s define what we mean when we say “older” baby. Typically by the age of 6-7 months old, your little one is rolling over on his own, meaning that it is time to stop swaddling. However, as long as safe sleep guidelines are followed, swaddling your little one is still an option.

It’s important to always discuss decisions like swaddling an older baby with your pediatrician if you have any concerns. Your pediatrician can help assess your little one’s growth, development and milestones to determine if swaddling with the Ollie is still a safe option.

If your little one is “behind” developmentally, you may find it concerning, but don’t jump to conclusions too quickly. Remember, each baby is different. Even though there are charts and estimates out there for what milestones your little one will meet during what timeframes, nothing is exact. Each baby will meet milestones at his own pace, so don’t be discouraged if it seems like your little one is behind.

For example, one reason that you may be able to swaddle your little one longer is if he was born premature. Many guidelines for infant milestones follow due date instead of birth date because it is more reliable for the developments your little one should be making. After all, even if your baby is born early, he is still making developments that he would have been making inside your womb.

After talking to your pediatrician, you may be able to adapt the swaddle to leave one or both arms out to help your little one roll from front to back if needed. This will still provide your little one the comfort he craves while also keeping him safe.  

Tips for safely swaddling your older infant:

•      Always lay your little one down to sleep on his back—even if he’s not swaddled
•      Keep his crib in your room to ensure you’re more aware if he wakes up during the night
•      Eliminate pillows, blankets, toys and bumper pads from his crib to avoid the risk of accidental suffocation
•      Don’t let your baby get too hot—the Ollie is perfect for this because of its moisture-wicking technology
•      Make sure that the Ollie Swaddle is secured tightly—a loose wrap defeats the purpose of swaddling and goes against safe sleep guidelines

While we always recommend that you direct concerns to your pediatrician, we also want you to remember that we are always here to be of support to you. Please contact us anytime Care@theollieworld.com.