When should I stop swaddling my baby?

Why the timing is a hard rule, not a preference

Swaddling works by mimicking the womb and calming the startle reflex, but it only stays safe while baby can't roll. The moment a baby can roll onto their front, a swaddle that pins the arms down removes their ability to push up, turn their head, or roll back — turning a comfort tool into a suffocation risk. Because rolling can appear suddenly, the safer approach is to stop before you're sure, not after you've spotted it.

Signs it's time

Increased strength and wriggling in tummy time, pushing up on forearms, or any attempt to roll to the side — even one you only saw once — are your cue to stop swaddling the arms that day, not "soon".

What to move to

A weighted-free sleeping bag (arms free, snug at the neck and armholes) gives the same warmth and containment without restricting movement. Some families transition gradually with an "arms-out" swaddle style first, then drop the swaddle entirely — both are reasonable as long as the arms are fully free before any rolling begins.