How to use the Butterfly Cardi
Learn how to transition your baby from arms in swaddling to arms out sleeping using the Butterfly Cardi
When your baby begins to show signs of rolling their body over, it’s time to transition your swaddled baby to an arms out sleeper for their safety. Signs include rolling from back to front or tummy time onto their back around 2–6 months of age.
The Butterfly Cardi is designed to be worn over an arms out sleeping bag or swaddle, to help transition your baby from an arms in swaddle to arms out sleeping with minimal sleep interruptions and maximum sleep comfort. Watch our video above for a step-by-step guide on how to use the Butterfly Cardi and read on below for more helpful tips and advice when using your Butterfly Cardi.
With anything new, your baby may take time to adjust. That’s ok! Give them a few days to become familiar to this new way of sleeping. Before you know it, you’ll have a little champion sleeping with both their arms out.
How to Use the Butterfly Cardi
1. When your baby first shows signs of wanting to roll, it's time to transition a swaddled baby to arms out sleeping for their safety. We recommend transitioning over a 10 day period to help your baby adjust.
2. Day 1 - 3 Dress your baby in the Butterfly Cardi over their arms out sleeping bag. Contain their arms within the fold-over arm pockets for all their sleeps (day and night).
3. Adjust the firmness of the Cardi by changing the press stud position. If your baby has a strong startle reflex, start with a tight fit. If your baby has a low startle reflex, start with a looser fit.
4. Day 4 - 7 After your baby is familiar with their new Butterfly Cardi, you can take one arm out of the fold-over pocket for all their sleeps.
5. Day 8 - 9 Your baby can sleep with both arms out of the fold-over pockets for all their sleeps.
6. Day 10 Your baby can sleep without the Butterfly Cardi. Your baby has transitioned to sleeping arms out, HOORAY!
Butterfly Cardi
Best for babies who like to sleep with hands up, or swaddled infants who are showing signs of rolling. Now available in the Cocoon Sleep Set for all sleeping styles.
Let’s check the fit!
The Butterfly Cardi is designed to be a snug and comfortable fit on top of your baby’s arms out sleeping bag or swaddle. It comes with variable press studs that can adjust firmness to help comfort your baby. The Butterfly Cardi should only be used for babies who weigh 5–8kg. Please do not use the Butterfly Cardi if your baby does not meet this weight guideline.
1. Dress your baby in their regular layers and arms out sleeping bag or swaddle.
2. Put the Butterfly Cardi on over the top.
3. Fasten the press studs on the tightest setting for a baby who still has a strong startle reflex; or for a smaller baby.
4. Fasten the press studs on the loosest setting for a baby who has less of a startle reflex; or for a larger baby.
5. Whichever setting you are on, slip two fingers under the neckline of the Cardi, and onto baby's chest. The material should feel firm and comfortable on your fingers, but not tight. This fit means the Cardi will not be compressing the chest.
6. Your baby's arms should fit comfortably in the arm pockets.
How to Layer with the Butterfly Cardi
Your Butterfly Cardi is 0.2 TOG rated and is a light layer which is safe to use on top of your regular sleeping bag and layer combination, for sleep without the risk of overheating. If your baby is too hot when sleeping with the Butterfly Cardi (feels hot/sticky to touch on the back of the neck or chest during sleep), simply remove an under layer.
In very warm environments, your baby can safely sleep in a nappy/diaper and the Butterfly Cardi without a sleeping bag or swaddle underneath. A singlet or short sleeve bodysuit is optional in this scenario.
For more guidance on how to dress your baby for sleep, follow our What to Wear Guide.
Size Guide
Butterfly Cardi
| ergoPouch size | 0-3M | 2-6M |
|---|---|---|
| Same as size | 000 | 000-00 |
| Max child weight (kg/lb) | 3-6kg / 13.2lb | 5-8kg / 11 - 17.6lb |
| Max child height (cm/inch) | 62cm / 24.4" | 62-88cm / 24.4 - 26.8" |
