Swaddling Baby in Hot Temperatures

I recently asked on Facebook about your concerns for summer months–any and all concerns. One mom posted a concern about swaddling her baby during the heat of the summer. So many of you shared great ideas and products that I had to consolidate it all into a post so it wouldn’t get lost on Facebook!

My girls were all swaddled for a time during the summer. My personal way to fix this was to keep the room cool enough for the baby to be swaddled and be comfortable. I also used light-weight swaddle blankets. Here are more ideas:

  • Stop Swaddling/Start Weaning. One comment offered was to just stop swaddling. Many people shared this sentiment. “It may take a few nights, but [your child] will adjust. I promise,” offered Renee. Stopping the swaddle is definite viable possibility. I don’t think this is the right answer for every baby out there–I think some need to be swaddled longer. There are some products to help gently wean from a swaddle–Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit is one and Zipadee-zip is another. Zipadee-zip was highly, highly applauded on this thread, so check that out if you are looking for a weaning blanket. You can find it at https://zipadeezip.com/See also these posts to help guide you:

    Dropping the SwaddlePoll Results: SwaddlingSleep Training: The Four S’sSwaddling: When to Stop? and Swaddling.

  • Use your swaddle blanket with just  a diaper under it. This is one idea I had when contemplating the difficulty. Use whatever swaddle blanket you like and wear only a diaper with it for sleeping.
  • Use a lightweight blanket. The Aden By aden + anais Muslin Swaddle Blanket is a lightweight swaddle blanket that was highly recommended. Woombie Air Ventilated Baby Swaddle is a new product designed to avoid over-heating and this one is for summer Woombie Summer Onesie. Anna&Eve Swaddle Strap was also recommended. Most swaddle blankets have a light weight version. You could also use a flat sheet.

  • Control temperature of room. This is something I do and did. Have the nursery be between 65-75 degrees. This might mean getting a fan or turning up the AC more this summer than your normally would.
  • Leave legs free when swaddled. This way the baby won’t be so hot. A few of the blankets linked in the “lightweight blanket” section above are designed for that, so check them out!

Do you have any tips or experience in swaddling in summer?

3 thoughts on “Swaddling Baby in Hot Temperatures”

  1. Hello! I have been reading your blog ever since my son was bornWe are trying to transition out of swaddle, as my son is almost 5 months old. He is currently in the Merlin suit, which is doing really well with. However, he gets babysat a couple times a week and I cannot control how cool they will keep their house. So I feel like now that its 100 degrees ( I am in So Cal) I need to get him out. I have tried with naps a couple times, and he just isn't having it. I did jammies and a sleep sack wrapped around his tummy. Is there another way to transition out of merlin suit? Should I just stick it out a couple days and hope he gets use to it?

    Reply
  2. If you are in a position where he needs to stop being swadddled, I think your best bet is to just go for it and hope for the best. You will also need to accept that if he isn't quite ready to not be swaddled, sleep will not be as good for a while, but at some point, he should get used to the non-swaddle and sleep normal again.

    Reply

Leave a Comment