It can be easier for a naked baby to Houdini their arms out of the swaddle. A long sleeve shirt or onesie can often help solve this problem! If that doesn't work, please try the suggestion below.
Some babies calm immediately with swaddling, but many resist and may actually cry louder initially. But remember, your little one had very little free space to move around in the womb. She actually craves that feeling of snug holding she had for 9 months, and that's exactly what swaddling will give her.
Once you get your baby swaddled securely and start the other 5 S’s, she should calm quickly and stay calmer longer (and sleep longer) when swaddled. Here, we show you how, using our SNOO sack. (You can use this idea with any swaddler. Just make sure you never let your baby sleep with any loose blankets.)
Steps for Keeping Your Baby Snugly Swaddled
First, you want to lay your baby down on a folded thin blanket or cloth diaper, with the SNOO sack laid beneath her (unzipped).
Then, fold one side of the blanket over your baby's arm and underneath her body.
Repeat on the other side.
Now, you have both of your baby's secured by the blanket / cloth diaper. Pull the bands in the SNOO sack across your baby's chest, keeping her arms straight at her sides. Make sure the band is snug and down over ½ of the hands (you can watch our video tutorial to see this in action).
Lift the bottom of the SNOO sack up and around her feet and zip the SNOO sack, all the way up to the top. Your baby is now snugly in her sack and ready to be placed in her SNOO...and calmed to sleep!
More Swaddling Tips
Any time you swaddle (and especially when you add layers) be sure to check your baby’s ears: If they are red and hot or if your baby's neck is sweaty…then your baby is too warm. Cool the room or dress her more lightly.
At 4 - 5 months, parents can try letting an arm or two out of the large SNOO sack through the arm hole. If the baby starts waking more (hits herself in the face with her newly freed arm), you'll want to put her arms back in the SNOO sack for another 1-2 weeks and try again. This gradual process of freeing her up will help her make an easy transition to the crib at, 6 months. SNOO's weaning feature helps with that too!
Happy swaddling!