Should I swaddle with a onesie?
Depending on the weather and TOG rating, you'll know how to dress baby for the safest sleep possible. A lightweight onesie should do the trick when it comes to what baby should wear underneath a swaddle or sleep sack in warmer weather. In the winter months, a long sleeve onesie may be preferred.
Once you have stopped swaddling, baby should sleep in any type of pajamas. Footed sleepers, two piece pajamas, or a even a onesie are perfect. Babies overheat easily, so always err on the side of baby being cooler rather than warmer. I recommend sleep sacks only when a parent feels they are needed for warmth.
Swaddling your newborn at night can help your baby sleep longer stretches at night. The purpose of swaddling is to help reduce the “startle or Moro” reflex. Yes, you should swaddle your newborn at night. The startle reflex is a primitive reflex that is present and birth and is a protective mechanism.
You should stop swaddling your baby when he starts attempting to roll over. Many babies start working on this move at about 2 months old. Swaddling once your baby can roll over may increase the risk of SIDS (sudden infant death syndrome) and suffocation.
Dressing a baby in a short sleeve bodysuit and cotton sleepsuit can be just right under a swaddle during colder nights, while just one long sleeve vest or sleepsuit is commonly worn underneath swaddles in milder temperatures.
If you can keep your room at a stable temperature of 68-70℉ (20-22.2℃), a long sleeve onesie or pajama underneath a swaddle will be suitable for most babies. If the room is warmer, try just a short sleeve onesie or diaper. For colder temperatures, add an extra layer of clothing.
SIDS is most common at 2-4 months of age when the cardiorespiratory system of all infants is in rapid transition and therefore unstable. So, all infants in this age range are at risk for dysfunction of neurological control of breathing.
Should You Unswaddle Baby for Night Feedings? Absolutely, yes, you should. Babies use much more than their mouths to nurse, as they use their hands and arms to locate the nipple, encourage milk letdown, latch correctly, and even recognize hunger cues.
But if you want to stop sooner — maybe you're tired of the whole swaddle wrapping thing or your baby doesn't seem to sleep any better with a swaddle than without — it's perfectly fine to do so. Babies don't need to be swaddled, and some actually snooze more soundly without being wrapped up.
Deactivating the Startle Reflex
So simply placing a baby on their side or completely onto their stomach, helps calm them and stop their crying. Of course, when you place a baby on their side or stomach, you always need to be sure that baby's airway is clear so their breathing isn't obstructed.
Is it OK if baby's hands come out of swaddle?
If your baby seems to prefer having her arms free, it's fine to leave one or both arms out of the swaddle. If your baby is too wiggly for you to get a snug swaddle, take a break and give your little one a few minutes to get her squirmies out before trying again.
The baby might fight or break out of the swaddle. If this is the case, one of the alternatives to swaddling in the traditional sense is the half swaddle: simply swaddle up to the baby's armpits so that their arms are free.
The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends dressing babies in clothes similar to what an adult would feel comfortable wearing in the same temperature. You may choose to give them one additional layer beyond what an adult would wear, but no more.
- Their skin is blotchy or pale.
- Their arms, legs, or cheeks feel cool to the touch.
- Their chest or the back of their neck feel cool to the touch.
- They seem overly sleepy or are hard to rouse.
- They're extra fussy or keep waking frequently.
Yes! When worn properly, footie pajamas are a safe and easy option for baby to sleep in. However if you have any doubts or concerns, use your best judgment and/or consult with your pediatrician.
Swaddling can increase the chance your baby will overheat, so avoid letting your baby get too hot. The baby could be too hot if you notice sweating, damp hair, flushed cheeks, heat rash and rapid breathing. Consider using a pacifier for naps and bedtime.
Here are some indicators a baby is too hot: Warm to the touch. Flushed or red skin. Rapid heartbeat.
Use comfortably fitting—not tight—onesies, or just dress baby in diapers and T-shirts. Don't clean the stump unless it comes in contact with stool or other potential infectants. In that case, clean it with water and a mild soap, and dry it thoroughly. Leave it alone.
While the cause of SIDS is unknown, many clinicians and researchers believe that SIDS is associated with problems in the ability of the baby to arouse from sleep, to detect low levels of oxygen, or a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood. When babies sleep face down, they may re-breathe exhaled carbon dioxide.
SIDS is less common after 8 months of age, but parents and caregivers should continue to follow safe sleep practices to reduce the risk of SIDS and other sleep-related causes of infant death until baby's first birthday. More than 90% of all SIDS deaths occur before 6 months of age.
What are 3 things that can cause SIDS?
- Sleep on their stomachs.
- Sleep on soft surfaces, such as an adult mattress, couch, or chair or under soft coverings.
- Sleep on or under soft or loose bedding.
- Get too hot during sleep.
Under the SleepSack® Swaddle, parents have several options on how to dress their baby. This includes: a short sleeve onesie, a long sleeve onesie, or footie pajamas. When checking your baby's temperature, their tummy and chest should feel warm and dry, not sweaty or cold.
The best outfit for your baby to sleep in follows safe sleep guidelines and accounts for the temperature of the room. Onesies, footed pajamas, and sleep sacks are all ideal in helping your baby sleep comfortably without being too hot or too cold.
So, do babies wear onesies under sleepers? The answer is yes, they do. However, it is not necessary to put an onesie under a sleeper. It is up to you to decide when you include all the factors that come into play.
Babies who are swaddled too tightly may develop a problem with their hips. Studies have found that straightening and tightly wrapping a baby's legs can lead to hip dislocation or hip dysplasia. This is an abnormal formation of the hip joint where the top of the thigh bone is not held firmly in the socket of the hip.