swaddling....what should I do!!!!!

Desiree - posted on 11/08/2009

My son will not sleep unless he is swaddled... so we put him in an infant sleep positioner and it works wonders!

Sara - posted on 11/08/2009

My daughter slept best while swaddled too (we used the aden & anais wraps: http://www.adenandanais.com/spring-colle...)... but we had the same concern once she started to roll, and so we used a sleep positioner (this one: http://www.amazon.com/Munchkin-Cool-Flow...)
She couldn't roll over, she stayed nicely swaddled and on her back. Once she was ready to give up the swaddle (about 6 months for us), we put her in sleep sacks. Also, her daytime naps at daycare (starting at 12 weeks) she was never swaddled, and was always in a sleep sack. But she never napped as well or as long as when she was swaddled.

Kelly - posted on 11/05/2009

With my older son we found that it worked to place a wrap under his arms, so that he still had the feeling of security, and then placing him in a baby sleeping bag/sack. Eventually we were then able to remove the wrap all together. I have also read advice in books and magazines that suggest transitioning gradually by leaving one arm unwrapped and once they get used to this leave both arms unwrapped, but still place a wrap under their arms until they get used to this. I know that in Australia you can also buy things to prevent babies from rolling over in their sleep which may be helpful if you are unable to take the swaddle me away straight away (just look for ones that are approved as being a non-SIDS risk...which I Swaddle Mes are as well...otherwise I wouldn't be using one on my newborn as well!).

Alicia - posted on 11/03/2009

What about a sleep sack that goes over the arms like overalls? That way if she flips over, it flips with her and there is no way that it will go over her head and her arms are free. I would stop using the swaddle blankets immediately....they propose high risk for suffocation. There are even long sleeve sleep sacks. I recommend them to all my parents at the center i work at. Hope this helps!

Beth - posted on 11/03/2009

I would definitely slowly stop using the "swaddle me's". When my daughter was little, I always tucked her really tight in her blanket, but I didn't use any swaddlers. I think Kristal's idea is good by just using a blanket and tucking it tightly around her. Also, you can start the transition during her nap times. At night, I always gave my daughter a bath before a bed, and I used to put cereal in the bottle at 4 mo. which worked wonders to get her to sleep through the night. It is hard to break a habit especially when they sleep so well. My daughter always like snuggling up to her boppy until she was like 7 mo. I took it out of her crib. There was a few restless nights, but it does get easier. I hope the suggestions help. Good luck with everything.

Kristal - posted on 11/02/2009

Instead of using the "swaddle me's" (with which I am unfamiliar, but understand the concept), maybe you could trying just laying her on her back, tucking in a regular blanket in tight all the way around her when she lays down to sleep. Then if she wiggles or rolls over, she won't be so restricted as to have difficulties. This could also get her used to the idea of not being swaddled without the hassle at nap/bedtime. Make sure that you're not using any pillows yet, either. Pillows for babies are NEVER a good idea. If they roll over, it could cause them to suffocate.



Another idea is to make sure that her little belly is full when she goes to bed, as this will help her to sleep through the night. Warm milk is another plus, as it makes babies (and their mommies) sleepy. Warm baths also tend to help little ones fall asleep more quickly if given just before bedtime.