Swaddling Over a Sleeping Bag

We often get questions about how to use a sleeping bag and wrap together, while babies transition from being swaddled.

This is also a useful technique for babies who have grown out of wraps but still sleep better swaddled.

The wrapped arms and sleeping bag combination is also excellent for babies who are at risk of developing hip problems. The firm swaddling on their arms will help baby settle while the sleeping bag around their hips and legs offers much more movement that a fitted or traditional swaddle.

Safety

Please ensure your baby is not rolling if you are using a sleeping bag and wrap together. If your baby still needs to be swaddled and can roll, we highly recommend you either leave at least one arm out of the wrap or use a Safe T Sleep Sleepwrap to keep your baby safely on their back.

Techniques

Here are the techniques we have found work well:

Miracle Blanket over a sleeping bag

If your baby still likes firm arms-down swaddling, the best wrap to use over a sleeping bag is the Miracle Blanket. These are shaped to prevent the wrap coming up by baby's face, which is especially important when you are using a wrap with a sleeping bag (rather than wrapping baby's legs). Miracle Blanket in particular is perfect for this transition, as the arm flaps are so effective and safe when used over a sleeping bag.

Can I use a wrap inside a sleeping bag?

In most cases it is much safer to use your wrap over a sleeping bag, as your baby gets used to sleeping in a bag.

This is because sleeping bags need your baby's arms to be out the arm holes, rather than swaddled completely and reliant on the neck hole to stop baby slipping inside the sleeping bag.

The only times we think you can safely use a swaddle inside a sleeping bag are as follows:

• ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag - when at least one arm is out of the cocoon arm holes and out the sleeping bag arm hole.

• Love To Dream when both arms are out of the sleeping bag arm holes while inside the Love To Dream swaddle.