If your baby keeps breaking out of their swaddle, waking constantly, or fighting sleep at every nap, the issue is usually not you. It is often the swaddle.

Most parents do not realise how much the right wrap affects sleep. Many mums who switch to Burrito Baby say the same thing:

“We tried another swaddle first, it did not work, then we switched and everything changed.”

Here are the clear signs your baby needs a better swaddle and how to fix it quickly.

1. Your baby keeps breaking free

If your baby escapes multiple times each night, the swaddle is no longer doing its job.

Escapes usually mean the fabric is not stretchy enough, the fit is not snug across the torso, or the wrap does not secure the hands properly. When babies break free, they startle, scratch their face, rub their eyes, or wake themselves with sudden movements.

A snug newborn swaddle with gentle stretch and proper arm containment can prevent this.

2. Face rubbing or scratching is waking them

If your baby’s hands are close to their face, you will often see:

• rubbing

• scratching

• pulling out the dummy

• triggering the rooting reflex

The rooting reflex makes babies think it is time to feed. This is one of the most common reasons babies wake frequently in arms-up designs.

A swaddle that keeps the upper body snug and the hands gently contained helps babies stay settled during light sleep.

3. The startle reflex is waking them

Newborns have a strong startle reflex. Their arms fling out suddenly, and they wake themselves. If your swaddle is not fitted firmly enough across the chest and arms, the reflex will break straight through it.

You will notice sudden jerks, flailing arms, half-wakes, and constant resettling.

A secure, stretchy wrap softens these reflexes and helps your baby stay asleep for longer.

4. Your baby fights the swaddle

If your baby cries or becomes upset when being swaddled, it usually means the swaddle:

• is too stiff

• does not stretch

• does not allow natural positioning

• feels restrictive instead of comforting

Babies relax when a wrap feels soft, moulds to their body, and gives that womb-like pressure.

5. Your baby sleeps better in your arms than in their cot

This is one of the clearest signs the swaddle is not providing enough comfort, warmth, or security.

If your baby settles instantly when held, but not when placed down, they are craving the gentle pressure and snugness they feel when you are holding them.

A better swaddle helps recreate this comfort safely in the cot.

6. The swaddle takes too long to put on at night

If you are wrestling with fabric at 2am, you are fighting the wrong battle.

A swaddle should take ten to twenty seconds at most, even when you are exhausted. A quick, pre-folded design keeps your baby calm and reduces stimulation during night wakes.

What a better swaddle should do

A good swaddle should:

• stop escapes

• reduce face rubbing

• soften the startle reflex

• feel soft, stretchy, and breathable

• go on quickly

• support your baby’s natural sleep position

It should make settling easier, not harder.

Why Burrito Baby works when others do not

Parents tell us the same three things again and again.

1. The arm holes prevent escapes

Our patented design helps keep babies securely wrapped for longer stretches.

2. The stretchy fabric feels like the womb

Soft and cosy, it helps babies settle faster and sleep deeper.

3. It supports babies who do not cope with arms up designs

With hands gently contained away from the face, babies stay more settled in light sleep.

How to fix swaddle struggles in one step

Switch to a better fitting, stretchy, easy wrap swaddle.

If your baby is waking from the startle reflex, escaping constantly, rubbing their face all night, or struggling with arms up styles, the right swaddle can make a noticeable difference.

If you want calmer sleep and easier settling, take a look at our newborn design.

See the newborn swaddle