Having a Terrible Time Transitioning from Swaddling

We swaddled my son for a long time. When we were transitioning him we took one arm out and let him get used to that. It seemed to work for him.

She just has to learn to teach herself how to sleep without being swaddled. She may fuss a bit but you'd be doing her a favor by letting her figure it out. Did you know that babies and children who don't have the chance to teach themselves important sleeping skills often grow into depressed teenagers and adult insomniacs? Anyway, a great book that helps me with all of my sleep questions is "Healthy Sleep Habits, Happy Child" by Dr. Marc Weissbluth. I can't recommend it enough. Good luck.

Try swaddling with one arm out for a few nights, then swaddle her below both arms before giving up the swaddle completely. That worked well for our little boy who I thought would need to be swaddled forever!

Swaddling and crib bumpers are indeed controversial, especially when your child is mobile. Your baby will eventually learn to sleep without swaddling.
Swaddling: I can only tell you that I, most of my friends, my pedi, and my lactation consultant/mommy&me teacher all said to swaddle as long as you can! My lc even suggested to me to use the Miracle Blanket because it's really big with long "arms" to wrap around baby. So, my strong and active son would fall asleep swaddled, in his sleep would still work his way out, but by then would be asleep with his arms out. My friends and I eventually would swaddle with one arm out, then both, then we slowly got rid of the swaddle. I stopped around 10 months. I had a friend who still swaddled until 2 years (arms out--her son asked for it).
Crib bumper: You'll have to decide for yourself what to do. There are those breathable ones if you are worried about little arms and legs reaching out of the crib. Again, I kept mine because of the gymnastics my son did in his sleep. He'd really wack himself. He'd fall asleep with his head crammed into the corner of his bumper. I freaked out about that also, but I honestly think he was more comfortable that way. Now he's 2 and pulls his pillow on top of his face to sleep. Ugh.

When I was transitioning my son from the swaddle, I put him in one of those sleep sacks but with his arms inside them. At first we pinned the arms shut, but eventually just left them open and if he worked one out, it was no big deal. But it helped, because it was loose enough that he was able to move his arms a little but they weren't able to get high enough to fly in his face and wake him up or startle him.

At 9 months, she shouldn't be swaddled. Actually, once they start to really move on their own, swaddling can pose a serious danger (What if she moves to a corner and gets stuck, but her arms are pinned to her so she can't get out). So, here is my suggestion because I don't think you are co-sleeping.

I would take the crib into your bedroom, take the side off, slide it against YOUR bed so that you can lay in bed and rest your arm on her to calm her down while she is in her crib. If she wakes in the night, you can do it again. Eventually, you will get decent sleep, as will she. I also found that many babies at that age want to sleep on their belly.

As for bumpers, two words: Wonder Bumpers. You can check them out here: http://www.gomamagodesigns.com/wonder-bumpers

Good luck!

I can't think of the name of it but it's called a cobed or travel bed and it lays inside the crib or in your bed and it's basically a little bed with sides that might keep her from moving all over. I have twins that are one and they also much alot in their cribs and I do keep the bumpers in secured very tightly and we don't have a problem with them I also push them down on the side so they are only sticking up a few inches, just enough to keep them from bumping their heads. Hope that helps :)

swaddle her and leave her arms out. thats what i did with my daughter.

Say no to crib bumpers. You're right- they're suffocation hazards and I read somewhere that they don't allow enough air flow to the sleeping baby.
My son just decided overnight to stop swaddling and it took about a week or two before he slept ok, but during those two weeks he constantly woke himself up from startling himself.
If she's ready (which it sounds like she is) just cut it out. It's tough at first, but she'll quickly get used to it so you both sleep better. :)
Good luck!

Check into the breathable bumpers. I had to get those for my daughter because she was getting hung up between the bars and waking herself up. And there was no way I was getting the bulky traditional bumpers.

Why not continue to swaddle her? Whatever gets everyone a good night's sleep is the right answer.

Time to start sleep training un-swaddled. It will take 3 days and your baby will figure it out. Go to www.3daysleep.com and get Davis' video. She is amazing and the best! Good luck!