Swaddling
How to Swaddle a Baby With Their Arms Up
Some babies simply prefer having their hands near their face; it is their natural in-utero position and it supports self-soothing. Arms-up swaddling keeps the containment without forcing the arms down.
Hands to face
Illustrated frame placeholder
Elbows bent, hands near cheeks or upper chest.
Transcript and media source
Full transcript available. Placeholder media for the prototype; production media is sourced only from hospitals, university medical centers, government health agencies, professional medical organizations and certified lactation professionals.
Reviewing clinician: R. Okafor, MSN, RN · Reviewed 2026-05-14 · Captions available
Supplies needed
- ·Square swaddle blanket, or an arms-up swaddle sack
- ·Flat firm surface
Safety warnings
- Stop swaddling when the baby shows signs of attempting to roll, and always place a swaddled baby on their back on a firm, flat sleep surface without loose bedding. Weighted swaddles and weighted sleep sacks are not recommended.
- Hands near the face is fine. A blanket near the face is not.
- Keep the hips free to flex and spread.
Step by step
- 1Lay the blanket in a diamond shape.
- 2Fold down the top corner.
- 3Place the baby with shoulders just below the fold.
- 4Position the elbows bent with hands near the cheeks or upper chest.
- 5Bring one side of the blanket across the body while keeping the arm in the selected position.
- 6Tuck the blanket securely beneath the opposite side.
- 7Fold the bottom upward while leaving space for the hips and legs to bend.
- 8Bring the remaining side across and secure it.
- 9Confirm the blanket cannot rise over the mouth or nose.
- 10Check that the hips remain free to flex and move.
Common mistakes
- Wrapping over the hands so tightly the elbows cannot move
- Leaving the top edge high near the chin
- Assuming a fussy baby needs it tighter
How do I know I am doing this correctly?
- Hands stay near the face and the baby self-soothes
- Blanket edge sits well below the chin
- Two-finger chest check passes and hips move freely
Interactive safety check
0 of 7 confirmed. Do not leave the baby until every item is checked.
When this technique is not appropriate
- · Once rolling attempts begin
- · If the blanket repeatedly loosens; use a fitted arms-up sack instead
When to stop and seek help
- · Blanket working loose near the face
- · Any rolling attempts: switch to a sleep sack without swaddling
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
Finish this tutorial
How confident do you feel doing this on your own?
Clinical review
- Author
- Partnered Postpartum clinical content team
- Reviewer
- M. Chen, MD · Pediatrician
- Reviewed
- 2026-05-14
- Next review
- 2027-05-14
- Version
- 1.2
- Applies to
- United States and Canada
Evidence sources
- · American Academy of Pediatrics, Caring for Your Baby and Young Child
- · AWHONN postpartum and newborn care standards
- · NHS newborn care guidance
Version history
- · 1.0 initial publication
- · 1.1 cord-care wording aligned to AAP
- · 1.2 added safety-check steps
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.
This app provides education and decision support. It cannot rule out a medical emergency.