The move from tightly wrapping an infant in a blanket to using a wearable blanket is a significant developmental milestone. This change addresses the infant’s evolving motor skills and safety considerations as they mature beyond the newborn stage, permitting greater freedom of movement while still providing a sense of security.
This change promotes healthy hip development by allowing for natural leg flexion and abduction. Historically, swaddling was widely practiced; however, awareness of its potential risks, particularly when done incorrectly, has led to the increasing adoption of sleep sacks as a safer alternative as the infant grows.