Swaddle

Marlo - posted on 03/12/2009

My daughter liked being swaddled until she was over a year old! Of course she got out of it during the night, but it helped her fall asleep. The ones with velcrow help when they grow out of the recieving type blankets... we just enjoyed knowing that she would go to sleep without a fuss so we did it as long as we could... routines! She still loves to be tucked in with her blanket and she is 2! Some kids love it! Keep doing it til they want you to stop!

Joanna - posted on 03/12/2009

I swaddled my daughter until she was nearly a year old. When she started fussing and trying to get out of the swaddle is when we stopped.

Malinda - posted on 03/12/2009

I had to "break" my son at 6 months, but only because he was large and was getting too big for even the largest swaddling blanket we could find. We did this by loosening the swaddle slightly each night until he could get one arm out, then two. Eventually we replaced the swaddle with a Sleep Sack. Still, you really don't need to do this until your child either no longer enjoys the swaddle is or just too big to swaddle.

Monica - posted on 03/12/2009

7 weeks is still really young to worry about breaking them of the swaddle. But I have read that if you find it hard on your child to break him of it, slowly wean them off. Sounds funny but seriously it works. When your ready, swaddle all of him except for one arm, then within the next week or two let the other arm out and continue until all he needs is a sheet to cover.

Tania - posted on 03/12/2009

Don't worry about breaking it. I swaddled both my sons and they will break free when they are ready. Once they start controlling their arms, try leaving one out so they can find their fingers. My youngest just turned a year and we now just wrap his lower half to keep him warm. We stopped swaddling their arms around 4 months. Once they start rolling basically. Hope that helps! :) Good luck!

Allison - posted on 03/12/2009

Something else I just thought of that might make some sense - baby spent 9 months in the womb, so 7 weeks outside isn't really a long enough adjustment period. Babies are so used to hearing heartbeats, breathing, digestive sounds, being moved around gently while you walk, and being all curled up and warm that all the environmental stuff we deal with in the world is just a lot to get used to. She'll get it eventually, but it does take time.

Have you tried to wear her in a sling, wrap, or mei tai during the day? Babies who are worn close to mom for long periods of time during the day tend to be less fussy and sleep better at night, according to Dr. Sears. Some good information of slings and other baby carriers can be found at http://www.wearyourbaby.com/ and http://www.thebabywearer.com/. Keep in mind that Baby Bijorns and the like are not good for baby because of the way babies are hung from their crotch and are often uncomfortable for mom as baby gets bigger. Other carrier types are more comfortable and support baby in better ways, plus can allow for nursing and napping easily.

Good luck!

Margo - posted on 03/12/2009

swadding makes the feel like they are still in the womb.  It helps them slep better.  I did not stop swadding until my daughter did not want it any more. 

Nikki - posted on 03/11/2009

i wouldn''t worry.. they seem to just stop after a while :) it doesn't last very long

Allison - posted on 03/11/2009

I swaddled until my baby was 8 months and able to get out of the swaddle himself, so it wasn't working anymore. I believe that sleep happens when babies are ready, and babies naturally move away from things when they don't need them anymore. I wouldn't worry about breaking him of the "habit' - if it's working right now, keep it up. When it's not working, you'll find something else that does.

April - posted on 03/11/2009

I let my kids swaddle as long as they wanted and after a while they just kicked the blankie apart and put an end to it themselves. I didnt know you were supposed to stop?!

Amie - posted on 03/11/2009

I swaddle mine until they didn't want to anymore. Once mine could move a bit more then hated the feeling of being wrapped up and would kick off the receiving blanket anyways so we stopped then. 7 weeks is still small so don't worry too much about it. =)

Annie - posted on 03/11/2009

At 7 weeks i wouldnt worry too much, have you tried sleeping bags though, i used these for my son.

Do  you swaddle for naps or just at bed time.  If it naps and bed time, just try altering naps first and then tackle bedtime.

Hth and makes sense

xxx