New Reports Says Swaddling Your Infant Can Increase Risk Of SIDS

KYW's Medical Reports Sponsored By Independence Blue Cross

By Dr. Brian McDonough, Medical Editor

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- At first glance, a report in the Journal Pediatrics is disturbing: swaddling your baby could be associated with an increased risk for SIDS. The risk was highest among infants sleeping on their stomach and side and lowest among those sleeping on their back.

The study supports the American Academy of Pediatrics' recommendation to always place babies to sleep on their back, whether they're swaddled or not. Placing babies on their side is too risky because they can roll onto their belly. The pediatrics report also found that the risk for SIDS among swaddled infants increased as they got older.

This actually makes sense because older babies are more able to roll from their back to their stomach. A good rule of thumb is to stop swaddling as soon as your baby shows that he or she is trying to roll over.

Most babies are able to roll from tummy to back by about 4 months old and in both directions by 6 months.