How long do babies use sleep sacks?

  Many babies are active when they are sleeping. So parents are always worried that their baby will kick the quilt, which may make the baby catch a cold. Parents will prepare a baby sleep sack. Newborns and toddlers all can wear it. Baby sleep sacks have many advantages. And how long do babies use sleep sacks?

sleep sack vs swaddle

  Sleep sacks and swaddles are often mentioned in people’s daily life. They are both necessary products for babies. People have many questions about sleep sacks and swaddles.

  When can the swaddle be used by babies? When to stop using swaddles? How to transition out of swaddles? When to use a sleep sack?

What is the swaddle?

  Swaddles provide warmth and mimic the womb environment for the baby. Swaddling also can avoid the impact of startle reaction when your baby is sleeping and allow him to sleep more peacefully. The swaddle is used frequently, mainly when the baby is under three months.

What is the sleep sack?

  The sleep sack is used during the baby's sleep. There are two different styles, sleep sack with sleeves and sleep sack with arms. Sleep sacks are mainly to prevent the baby from kicking off the blanket and catching a cold in the middle of the night. Sleep sacks are widely used in four seasons.

When to stop using swaddles?

  The swaddle gives the baby a proper sense of pressure. And the swaddle’s moderate restraint relieves the baby's anxiety due to the startle reflex, which gives the baby a greater sense of security and allows the baby to have a night of sleep more peacefully and securely. At the same time, according to some scientific research, swaddling also can reduce the risk of sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

  The startle reflex is a normal physiological reaction of newborn babies. It will frequency decrease when babies are three months old. After three months, the baby begins to learn to turn over gradually. When you are swaddling your baby, you must follow a wrapping principle, wrap the top tightly and wrap the bottom loosely. Babies need security by swaddling. And parents also need to ensure that the baby has free space to move.

  As the baby grows, usually after three months old, the baby's arms can not be wrapped anymore. You should ensure a certain stretching space for your baby. Do not let the baby in the swaddle for a long time. There must be enough space for the baby to move the joints, which is good for the baby’s bone development.

When to use a sleep sack?

  After three or four months, babies are available to use sleep sacks. After birth, there is no need to use sleep sacks because newborns basically can not turn over by themselves at night. After three or four months, you can use a sleep sack for your baby so that you can prevent the blanket from being kicked off by your baby.

  When using a sleep sack for the baby, you should also pay attention to some issues. Buying a more loose and breathable sleep sack. Do not wrap your baby too tightly, which will affect the baby's breathing and make him feel uncomfortable. In addition, you should also pay attention not to covering the sleep sack to the baby's head. It is dangerous and easy to cause suffocation.

  In addition, sleep sacks should be used depending on the weather. It is fine to cover the quilt when the weather is not cold. Sleep sacks are good for warm keeping. If you wear your baby a thick sleep sack in warm conditions, it may lead to the baby's having a too high body temperature, which can cause overheating and other problems. When you are selecting sleep sacks for your little one, pay attention to their quality and material. Some sleep sacks use poor materials, which have a strong smell and may lead to baby allergies. Baby sleep sacks need to be made of 100% safe materials, like organic cotton, bamboo fiber, etc.

  In recent years, many parents have liked to use sleep sacks for infants and toddlers. But the quality of sleep sacks varies. Bad quality sleep sacks often lead to accidents. Because some sleep sacks are stuffy, the baby’s hands and feet will move around. A moving sleep sack is easy to hike up, which is easy to cover the baby’s nose and mouth. Therefore, new parents need to take more careful care of infants and toddlers. It is necessary that parents and babies do not sleep in the same bed. Do not let your baby use substandard sleep sacks. Adults should sleep separately from babies. Let your baby sleep in his own baby crib in the same room. Then you can let the baby sleep in your sight and find the accident for the first time.

  Once the infant is suffocated in sleep, parents should rescue it in time. First of all, when you see the baby’s face is red and sweating profusely, it means your baby is too hot. You should immediately change lightweight, breathable clothes for him to let the heat out.

How long do babies use sleep sacks?

  Generally speaking, baby sleep sacks can be used until the baby is six years old. But some babies generally do not want to sleep in a sleep sack after three years old. Because the sleep sack binds their movement of them, they can not sleep freely. Therefore, parents can decide how old the sleeping bag is to use according to the baby's own hospital. Sleep sacks can prevent the baby from moving around and kicking off the quilt to get cold. Swaddling sleep sacks can hold the baby wrapped to avoid his hands and feet to get more security.

How many sleep sacks do I need?

  Different aged babies need different sleep sacks. Usually, you need three kinds of sleep sacks.

0-4 months: swaddling sleep sacks

  At this stage, newborns can not roll over, and their feet will kick the covers. They usually sleep with their arms up and require frequent diaper changes. Choose a bottom-loose swaddling sleep sack. Your baby will not have a sense of restraint.

4-12 months: transitional sleep sacks

  Babies can roll over by themselves. Swaddling sleep sacks will limit their activities. A loose, one-piece transitional sleep sack is an ideal choice.

13-36 months: split leg sleep sacks

  At this stage, babies can walk and sleep independently. They begin to consciously control their physical activities during sleep. Split-leg sleep sacks are suitable for them to wear.

  Some split-leg sleep sacks can not cover your baby’s feet. You need to wear your baby socks. You also can buy a split-leg sleep sack with folded footie. Babies can hide their feet in it to keep warm.

How to choose a suitable sleep sack?

  First of all, the material must be soft and comfortable, safe and secure. Secondly, the design should take into account comfort and conveniences, such as removable sleeves, two-way zippers, and zipper protectors. The neckline can not be too big or too small. The hem should have a wider design to facilitate the free movement of the babies’ legs. Another very important point for parents is that the sleep sack should be machine washable. The sleep sack needs to be changed frequently. Parents need to keep it safe and clean.

How to make your baby sleep better?

Sleeping on your back

  Babies should stay on their backs to sleep, no matter during the day or night. This is an important precaution for safe sleep.

  When your baby is awake and active, you can put him on his stomach to train his back muscles.

Anti-overheating

  Babies prefer to be cooler when they are sleeping. Do not wear too many clothes or too thick sleep sacks for your baby.

Do not smoke cigarettes

  Smoking next to your baby increases the risk of sudden infant death syndrome. Please quit smoking during pregnancy.

The separate crib in parents' bedroom

  Your baby should sleep in a crib in your bedroom. The sound of your breathing has a positive effect on regulating your baby's breathing.

The crib should be:

• Breathable hard mattress
• No pillows
• No soft pillows or dolls    

Breastfeeding is good for health

  Breastfed babies have a lower risk of sudden infant death syndrome. If possible, it is recommended that you breastfeed your baby until 24 months of age. (If you have no milk or too little breast milk, you can choose formula milk that is suitable for your baby). Breast milk can strengthen your baby's body immune system. Breast milk can meet your baby's nutritional needs during the first six months of life. After six months, you can add complementary foods to your baby as a nutritional supplement.