Summer Swaddling Chart

Summer Swaddling

Parents are often concerned that their baby will over-heat if they are swaddled in warmer weather. But most newborns struggle to sleep well if they are not swaddled....and quickly become both hot and over-tired without effective swaddling.

Overheating is one of the factors which contribute to SIDS deaths, so it is very important to take the temperature of your baby seriously.

However it is important to note that it is not swaddling alone that causes over-heating! Babies temperature results from the combination of clothing, swaddle wrap and technique, bedding and room temperature. Each of these factors can be controlled and minimised to ensure your baby does not get too hot.

Here are some tips on each factor:

Clothing

Use light clothing inside your swaddling or just a nappy.
Choose only 100% natural fibre such as cotton or bamboo
Merino may be suitable for night-time clothing, such as a merino gown, as it is very effective at regulating body temperature in small babies, but other layers would need to be very light.
A short-sleeve bodysuit is likely to be sufficient when swaddling during summer days.
Never use a hat while swaddling at any time, particularly in warmer weather.

Which Swaddling Wrap?

Use light weight wraps in 100% natural fibre only - cotton or bamboo are best for summer.
Do not use any wraps made from synthetic fabric (eg polyester or fleece) or with a synthetic lining, as these can quickly result in a sweaty or over-heated baby.
A fitted wrap can be a great option as the wrap will stay very secure. Babies can become hot from wriggling round and trying to escape from a wrap that they can get out from!
Choose a wrap that is big enough to be effective - 100x100cm for a newborn and 120x120cm for a baby over about 8 weeks.

Fitted Wraps for Summer:

The Sleep Store Fitted Swaddle - Made with our light 0.2 tog GOTS certified organic cotton, this fitted swaddle is ideal for the summer months and room temperatures over 25 degrees. Designed by The Sleep Store, this swaddle has a unique side -zip opening, which makes for quick and secure swaddling and easy nappy changing. You don't need to be an expert swaddler, simply place baby on the swaddle and zip around for a better night's sleep.

Purflo Lightweight 0.5 tog Swaddle to Sleep Bag - Designed with large breathable mesh panels to help air flow easily around your baby keeping them cool, whilst still giving them that comforting feeling that swaddling has. This Lightweight version is perfect for room temperatures of 18°C to 27°C, and comes with a what to wear guide so you know exactly how to dress your little one.

Embe Transitional SwaddleOut - Featuring a unique Legs In / Legs Out design that allows your baby to be cooled down, warmed up, or have their nappy changed without the need to be un-swaddled.

ErgoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag - 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. View here.

Love to Dream (Wrap Me Up) - 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. View original fabric Love to Dream or View Love to Dream LITE.

Love to Dream 50:50 - The LITE version of the Love to Dream 50:50 has zip-off sleeves, making it ideal for transitioning out of swaddling. It can also be used with one or no arms, making it a light-weight summer sleeping bag once you stop swaddling.

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.

Swaddling techniques with regular wraps

As mentioned above, it's important to use an effective swaddling technique so your baby doesn't get hot fighting to escape!!!

Arms down swaddling:

This is the most secure way to swaddle and a good option for using with either light stretch cotton or muslin. This is the technique recommended by Dr Harvey Karp in The Happiest Baby, as it stays secure best of any technique. Remember to keep the swaddle loose around the legs, so there is plenty of leg and hip wriggle room.

View our instructions here

Aussie-style swaddling:

This is the technique often used in Australia with muslin wraps, and we have some instructions from the lovely people at Aden + Anais. Suitable for babies who like to suck their hands, sleep with arms up or who don't have much startle reflex. Harder to keep secure especially for wrigglers or Houdini babies!

Transitional Swaddles

When should you stop swaddling your baby and transition to a baby sleeping bag? This is one of the questions that the customer service team answers on such a regular basis that Louise put together this video to help.

Swaddle to Sleeping Bag:

If you're at the stage where baby is soon to be showing signs of rolling you should consider a transitional swaddle option. There are many to choose from in our range. If you already have the Purflo Swaddle to Sleep bag or the Ergopouch Swaddle Bag these have poppers on the armholes that allow for easy transitioning from arms in to arms out. If you have been using or prefer arms up swaddles then look at our range of Love to Dream transitional swaddles called 50:50 which have arm pockets which zip off to allow one or both arms out, and they come in lightweight summer fabrics. Swaddles like the Embe also offer a transitional swaddle option too. If you are using the Miracle blanket you can use wrap that with arms in or out and legs in or out as well. For more information on weaning baby off swaddling when they are showing signs of beginning to roll read our article on transitioning from swaddling here.

Other information:

Bedding

The bedding you use over your swaddling will make a huge difference to whether your baby is too warm or not.

Use light layers rather than thick winter weight blankets.
Choose cotton, bamboo or very light merino blankets.
Use only a top sheet during the day in a warm room.

Room temp

Try to keep your baby's room a comfortable temperature, ideally between 18-20 degrees.
Use a fan and/or the window open during the day to help cool it down.
Using a shade or blind can help reduce the room temperature during the day.
We recommend using a gro egg room thermometer so you can easily see the room temperature and make changes to your baby's clothing or bedding as appropriate.

How to tell if your baby is too warm:

If your baby is red or sweaty, then they are too hot!! Remove some bedding or clothing immediately.
You can feel your baby's temperature on their chest, back of the neck or ears.