My ped told us not to swaddle our 12 week old, but after 15 seconds of falling asleep
he scares himself and screams. He will cry for a little bit, then fall asleep again and 15-20 seconds later scares himself and does it all over again. We have tried to see if he would eventually fall asleep but 20 minutes later he is now very tired and cranky and screaming so we swaddle him.
How long should I be swaddling him for?
Thanks.
My ped really never gave us a reason for doing so...so I called them and they said they
prefer not to swaddle them at this age because they are growing and some swaddles can prohibit that growth. I explained to my ped what was happening and advised him we got the miracle blanket, and he said it is okay to swaddle during the night, but try to wean him off during the day. Eventually he said to start to wean him during the night as well.
I appreciate everyone's advice. I feel as most of you do....do what a mother feels is right. I feel as though he needs to be swaddled and I will continue until I feel it is right. Thanks again.
One of the best tricks we have learned is to play music while the baby is sleeping. A soothing sound gives the baby something to focus on. Good luck
Oh, the poor little guy! I read somewhere that you can wean babies from swaddling because going cold turkey can be traumatizing for baby and parent! Try just leaving one arm unswaddled for a few days, then the other one for a few more and then see if he might be ready for sleep without it. Good luck!
In my opinion swaddle away! I've read things about letting them cry it out, then I read an article about how doing so makes them insecure. My daughter is four months, and we still cuddle and swaddle her. Sometimes she's so fussy and tired, that only daddy can comfort her. She loves falling asleep on his chest. I got this from http://www.babycenter.com/expert/2644.html
"Anyone who advises you to let your baby cry until he gives up and falls asleep is focusing on the baby's behavior (going to sleep all alone) and not on how the baby feels in the process. The problem is that when infants are left to cry themselves to sleep, they are forced to conclude that they are not lovable enough to engage their parents' desires to comfort them. If they actually stop crying, it is because they have abandoned all hope that help will come. The meaningful question, then, is not, "What will make my baby go to sleep with the least attention?" but "What will enable my baby to put himself to sleep with the self-confidence that comes from feeling happy and cared about?" "
When I read this after trying to just "Let her cry it out and not swaddle her" it brought a tear to my eye, and I immediately went into my bedroom and took my SCREAMING infant out and swaddled her.
I have three boys, and the youngest is three, and i always tucked him in tightly with the blanket when he slept so that he felt snuggled. babies like to feel that i have heard they feel like they are falling if they are not all tucked in. did your doctor give any reason for it? i would put a rolled up blanket in front and behing him, lay him on his side or back and then put another blanket over him and tuck him in for bed.
You didn't tell why your ped. thinks you should not swaddle your son, which I would be curious to know why. When I had my daughter she LOVED to be swaddled. Even in the hospital. The tighter the better for her. My husband and I did it until my daughter was moving around alot more and kicked her way out of it. We just followed her lead. I really think she liked it so much becasue it made her feel more secure - just like in the womb. My daughter also slept really good in her carseat because of that same reason. I would just follow your son's lead. If Being swaddled makes him sleep better and he enjoys it I don't see the harm in it. He will eventually outgrow it so use it while you can.
I say just go with your gut... if you think your son isn't ready to not be swaddled, then continue swaddling. I swaddled my daughter for up to about 5 months. I didn't swaddle her during her morning naps b/c I wanted her to start getting used to not be swaddled, so I would only do it at night.
Hi S.,
Did your pediatrician give a reason as to why not to swaddle??! We had to swaddle our daughter when she was that age because she was constantly startled and it would wake her and scare her...it was a vicious cycle. After awhile she couldn't stand being swaddled so that was tough, but eventually the startling stopped, but I sware everytime she'd get to sleep BAMMM she'd wake up scared ! Poor thing !! It will pass sooner then later, but I would find out why the ped is saying not too and ask the ped for any other ideas !! Hope I was able to help some! Let us know how things go !!! Take care ! : )
Hi S.,
He is still a little baby, I say swaddle and comfort him as needed. They grow up too quick and I think you should enjoy it while they need you.
Good luck!
I had to swaddle my kids until they were 5 and 6 months old. I would see why. It didn't hurt my kids, and they slept sooooo much better. Go with what works for you. Good luck
S.,
Don't listen to your doctor. Sometimes they have good advise, but this is not one of them. I swaddled both my sons till they were at least 6 months old. My baby just turned one and when he has an off night, I still wrap him up, it just works like that. No matter what there is not an issue with swaddling them. It doesn't hurt them and the only time they mind is when they learn to prefer sleeping on their stomach's or sides (because then they can't move to do it). Until that time comes, wrap that baby up all you want!
M.*
I never swaddled mine. When the nurses brought them to me all wrapped up I unwrapped them. They never wanted to be swaddled. You have to do what's right for your baby. If he feels more secure being in a baby burrito then by all means do it. Some babies just need that feeling of closeness. I would ask the doctor why he/she said not to do it anymore. If there truly is a valid reason to not swaddle at this age then you should probably wean him away from it gradually. My babies were never back sleepers because they would wake themselves up very quickly crying. Do what you feel is right, and what gets you all some sleep.
I swaddled my daughter till she was 6 months
Why did your pediatrician tell you to stop swaddling? Babies grow out of needing to be swaddled - some need it longer than others. My son is still sometimes swaddled at almost a year old! I say go with your gut, do what your baby needs. (Have you seen the Miracle Blanket? We are in love with that thing. Google it)
