Swaddle V. Nonswaddle?

I also have a 1 year old and I have been doing daycare for 11 years now, my daughter has always had a blanket, bumper pad in her crib and the state has showed up but they can not tell me what I can do with my OWN child. It is all due to liability with the daycare provider and I do understand that but no if I were you I would not change anything you are doing. They are so totally different at daycare than they are at home he will adjust to having it at home and not at daycare, it may not even show any difference at daycare with or without it cause like I said they are so different away from home. I have always said I wished I could set up a camera for the parents to watch of their children because they act nothing like the parents state they do at home and I see a BIG change when that parent walks in, not all children are that way. Well good luck with it but I see nothing wrong with him still having it at home.

I am a SAHM doing daycare for 11 years with 3 children and I step child ages 13, 8, 1,and 22 and I love being at home with children its great.

HI,
How does he do at daycare without being swaddled? Does he sleep well for them? If he prefers to be swaddled at home, by all means, do it- you all need a restful night's sleep!
Best Wishes,
M.

Daycares are not allowed to swadle with lose/regular blankets, but they are allowed to use the velcrow wrap swaddle blankets. You can buy them at any baby store.

Keep him swaddled as long as you can.

I just can't imagine letting someone else tell me how to parent my child. Sounds like the daycare is doing what is best for them and not your baby. Look into it and be persistent. Your baby needs to feel secure and rested. Bottom line.

I would push the issue myself and get that baby swaddled if he wants it. If they won't do it, then find a different daycare. You could try the premade swaddle blankets first though. If it is so dangerous to swaddle, then why do hospitals do it, and why is it recommended in almost all baby books. I had one that loved it and one that didn't. Of course if he can take it or leave it and sleeps the normal amount, then don't fret, just let the issue drop, but ask them. You are the only protector of this baby. It is your rules that count, don't let the government tell you how your baby gets to sleep.

Hello K., The day care has no busness interfering in how you and your husband parent. You have found what works for your child so stick with it. Consistency is so important. The day care should be consistant with YOUR methods. Remember that you pay them so they work for you, not the other way around. If I were in your shoes, I would find another day care, they don't know what they are doing. Good luck.

The sleep sacks work pretty good too. Those are allowed in the daycares.

I say if the swaddling works best for him at home then do that. Children learn to expect different things at different places or/with people. So it should be fine. :o)

When you figure out how to wean him from the swaddle, share your secret with me! Otherwise, I'm going to need to find a Kindergarten that is willing to swaddle at naptime ... =)

Well, a great idea is this new blanket they have called "breathable" blankets. It was designed by a mom for her kid cause she was afraid of the suffocation hazard by bumpers and blankets. The blankets are made of material that is warm but completely breatheable so they can't suffocate no matter what. You can get them at www.onestepahead.com and search breatheable. They run like $20 but it would be worth it in your situation. See if that may be a compromise they will make!

Kids are amazing! I found that my son had separate habits for daycare and for our home. In fact, he stopped using a pacifier during naps at daycare long before he would give it up at home. I would continue to swaddle your son if that is how he sleeps best in his crib. He will learn to sleep at daycare without it, but can still have that comfort while in his own crib. Good luck!

Maybe I am not the right person to take advice from when it comes to this stuff but i am a huge softy for letting kids have their "securites" whether it is a binkie, blankie or being swaddled. Especially when they have to be away from the security of their home at a daycare. They need it, in my opinion. But like I said I am a softy on that issue. I would still do it at home and ask if at the daycare if they could do it there too even though it is not their policy. How strict are they? Would they bend the rules for you? It is okay as long as it is not near his face. (how old is he you didnt mention)

I would push the issue with the child care provider...maybe compromise with a swaddle blanket that you would provide. If your child does not get sleep during the day he will be miserable. I don't think that the DCP really would like it if he doesn't sleep because that means that they don't get precious down time either.

Hi! As a former home daycare provider I can tell you that your daycare is not necessarily making this decision by choice. State licensing has become very strict about sleeping infants. They are to only be on their backs and no blankets by licensing law. If someone came in and saw the blanket they could get in trouble.

I say do what works for you at home. If he is not resting at school he deserves to rest the way he likes at home!

The heck with that daycare! You pay them to care for your child. They should do as you want. Your childs sleep and comfort should be important enough to do as you see fit, not as they see fit. It's a blanket for God's sake! They have no right to take that little comfort from your child. Personally, I cannot stand Daycare Centers...they seem to greedy and uncaring. Unfortunately, most people don't have a choice but to use a daycare. If I were you, I would make it clear to them that they work for you...you are employing them to care for your child...you pay them...they are not the boss. I think that if all mothers took this stance on Daycare Centers, the people running them would do better jobs and know their place. And just to be clear, I'm not saying that all Daycare Centers are bad, just some of them. There are some that are absolutely wonderful, but they are hard to find. Most of these problems come with the State having so many stupid laws. They don't want kids to have blankets in daycare because a few have probably sufficated, which is not the blanket or childs fault, it is the worker, who is being paid to do a job, and didn't do their job right. They should be watching the children when they sleep, and everything else the child does. Everytime a child gets hurt or killed, we get a new stupid law. Accidents happen, but they would happen less if people are actually watching the child. With so many of these laws (like no blankets in daycare) one can only conclude that daycare centers are not a good place for children, unless you have a very good, caring and loving person watching your child at all times and protecting them the way they should. Sorry for the rant about this subject, but I had my kids in daycare before I started working at home and I hated everything the daycare did (or should I say didn't do). Some people (daycare centers) are only out for themselves to make money, when they should be caring for the child the best possible way. Good Luck!

I think babies like to be swaddled but it feels nice and snug like your womb did. My children loved to be wrapped up tight when they were babies. I say 'swaddle away'. Obviously, he loves it and finds it soothing and it is certainly not doing him any harm.

I'm a current family daycare provider and it is my understanding of the state law. Is this that they can have blankets in the crib but they have to be down by the chest and the blankets must be tucked into the sides of the crib tightly. I also believe that they can use swaddle blankets. It is like a sleeper with a swaddle blanket attached to it. You can purchase them at toys r us and babiesrus. I would check with your daycare provider and see if this is acceptable with them. I kanow that they use these in centers and have talked about making in home use these. They are very expensive so you may want to offer to purchase it for her. Hope this helps. It is all for safety and I do not totally agree with it most children sleep with something in the crib and need to be kept warm. But to keep your license and not to be held responsible if something happens than you must follow these rules. Your provider may have had a visit from the state and this maybe why the drastic change in behavior. M.

They actually make a swaddler blanket with velcro that is perfectly safe. Maybe you could suggest this to the daycare? Here's the link:
http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=s...

It's been 18 years since my youngest was a baby but I never heard of not blanketing a baby in the crib until reading this site. I also thought it common knowledge and practice that very young babies should be swaddled (I used receiving blankets back then) almost all the time. I am always a little surprised when I see newborns without their receiving blankets but it seems to be more common. I am an advocate of swaddling the baby, it gives them a feeling of security and I would still do this at home until he outgrows it, which doesn't take long.

S.

In my humble opinion...you are the parents, not the daycare. How you raise your child is up to you. If your son still likes to be swaddled at night and you want to continue doing that, go for it. Let the daycare do what they need to do and maybe if enough time goes by of him not napping, they will cave =) I'm sorry, it just bothers me when someone else tells me how to raise my child. I'm willing to accept suggestions and if I need advice, I ask for it, which I've done many times. But it's just that, advice. Good luck!!

The premade swaddle "blankets" ara the way to go. Maybe call it an outfit and not a blanket! Seriously, it takes a baby Houidini to get out of them with the amount of velcro the have holding them shut. The one we bought was at Babies R Us and in the area of the sleep sacks, but it was like a T shaped blanket and had velcro to hold it together.

If it were me (and I have done this), I would push them into supporting you and swaddle. The state DOES allow for the swaddle blankets (it has to be a pre-made swaddle sack- you can get at Babies R Us and Target used to carry some). If they push back and say no, the state doesn't - call your counties licensing agent and question, question, question. They do allow them. Otherise, if your son is like my kids, they get so over tired on the days that they are at daycare, they are miserable the day after, that night, etc because they are so over tired.

My kids were the same way :)

J.

I would ask if he can have a wearable blanket or if he could use the swaddlers, they are not really blankets, but he would be able to be swaddled. My dd was swaddled until about 6-7 months old and loved it. If it upsetting him that bad I would find a compromise to be able to swaddle my child.

I had this same problem with the daycare when my son was under one. Unfortunately, it isn't the daycare's fault, it's the state regulations. They can get shut down if they are inspected and are found to be non-compliant too many times. That said, it doesn't make for happy kids. I would continue to swaddle him at home, since he probably isn't getting any real sleep at daycare. My son would be so tired when I picked him up that he would sleep on the way home. Good luck, and know that pretty soon it will be better. :)

I don't see a problem with swaddling a child that wants to be swaddled. It is recommended that babies be swaddled. I don't know how old your baby is but that is irrelevent...do what makes him comfortable and ask the daycare to do the same. Some children just need the security of swaddling. If the daycare can actually get him to sleep without it then so be it, that doesn't mean it has to be the same at home. Children respond differently to different environments.

The comment from Jan telling you to be the parent and let him learn to calm himself was just out of line. You have a legitimate question and deserve respectful answers. Don't let comments like that discourage you from using the website in the future.

Good luck in whatever decision you come to.

T.

Is he sleeping at nap time at the day care? If so, then why is it different at home? I never swaddle my child but each child is different. If the day care can get him to nap without it, then you should be able to at home. Be the parent and let you child learn how to calm himself down and get some rest. Otherwise you'll be wondering how do get him to leave his blanket when he goes to kindergarten.

I'd ask why he can't be swaddled there.

S.

I defiantly say you should still swaddle your son at home. Let the daycare deal with him not sleeping and being tired there if they want to, but you should do what works for you and your son at home.

Also, have you tried using a "Swaddle Me". You can get them at Babies R Us and they Velcro around the baby. My son stopped being swaddled at a very young age so I don't know how well they hold on older babies but if that works maybe that is something you can get away with using at your son’s daycare. You will be following their rules and your son could still be swaddled and sleep better... Like he should.

You know your baby best. Some kids like to be swaddled. It recreates the feeling of the womb... tight cozy quarters. My daughter LOVED to be swaddled. I swaddled her until she was more then 6 months old. When she got over about 3 months she was ok for naps unswaddled...not sure why. But at night, forget it. She had to be swaddled.

I never liked the swaddle blankets with the velcro. But then again, I had my favorite swaddling blankets and could get a nice tight swaddle. But, for daycare, I would ask if they could use the swaddle blankets with the velcro. They are lightweight, have a TON of velcro and it is difficult for baby to get out if done properly.

There is a lot of research that shows the benefits of swaddling. However, if they won't ... then continue with your routine at home. Babies are pretty adaptable. They know what is going on. He may be ok with it at daycare... or maybe he will put up such a fuss that they go along with your wishes. ;-) Regardless, in YOUR home YOU know your baby and you need to do what is right for your baby. Daycare isn't raising your child. YOU are raising your child. Don't let the daycare dictate what you do for your baby.

I am not a fan of the 'one size fits all' approach to childcare. The daycare needs to recognize that each baby is different. The 'no blankets' and such while sleeping is so they don't suffocate. If baby can't roll over yet, and the swaddle is done properly, there is very little chance the blanket will get up around his face.

Just a little tip ... once he starts moving around more and starting to roll over, it's time to stop the swaddle. It can be a transition though. We stopped slowly. First, keeping one arm out of the swaddle. Then when she got used to that and could sleep well, the second and just swaddle her body and legs. Finally we just took it all away.

Daycare needs to support your parenting as much as possible. If you purchase one of the SwaddleMe covers daycare can COMPLETELY use those. They are LEGAL for daycare. That way he can be swaddled legally at daycare and still get the sleep he needs, when at home you can swaddle him in a blanket. I would definitely purchase one or two of those. Swaddling is so natural and many babies really need it. They sell them at Babies R Us - http://www.toysrus.com/search/index.jsp?kwCatId=&kw=s...

After working in Kindercare for a bit in the infant room. All centers have room to budge if its in the best interest of the child. If I knew that I had a baby in my room that slept better when swaddled, I'd advocate for that child, to do so.
Speak to the director and see about having it written in your childs records that he's only swaddled to sleep.
At the Kindercare I was at, licensing stated that we couldn't use cloth diapers.... We knew that... I had a baby in my room in cloth diapers. So, nothing is 100%.

good luck

i would buy a swaddle wrap and if they will not use that for your little one i would let them know you will be looking for a daycare that will use it i think it is great thing to swaddle as long as possable for a baby it help them feal safe and i would still do it if i werre you as home never mind how hard it make it on them

Swaddle the boy!! This is natural for a child his age!! It's a need. And he sleeps better. Your instinct is to keep swaddling him--it's an outside influence that is interrupting your natural flow. Can you request that the daycare swaddle him, or is this some kind of "health" rule? I am actually appalled that they wouldn't swaddle him....
From, mother of two amazingly healthy kids....

K.,
I work for a daycare that has infants and toddlers. Due to state licensing we have to follow the rules or we could be shut down. If swaddling helps your child at home, do it. Just know that he won't be able to be swaddled at the daycare and as a result may not get the sleep he needs. Have you tried a sleepsack? That might solve your problems and I know that the state allows those currently.
Good luck and God Bless. You and your son need as much sleep as possible.

I think that they are different enough situations your son should do fine at daycare. It's amazing how quickly kids adapt and learn the routines of different environments. Think about it...at daycare he is probably sleeping with the lights mostly on and tons of extra noise going on around him...he may nap well, but maybe he's not going into a deep sleep there. Who knows! I say do what works for you at home unless he stops napping at daycare all together b/c not being swaddled. You and your baby both need a good night sleep and if swaddling does it, by all means swaddle away! My son is 4 months old and we have no intention of stopping the swaddle until he fights it! Plus, I think it would be cooler at your home at night than at daycare, so it's probably one of the safest ways to have a blanket around him as well! Good luck, I hope he keeps sleeping well in both situations!

I agree with asking the daycare to reconsider! Perhaps you chose them because they were not "by the book" and you could share that with them. They should be working on meeting your baby's needs, not the other way around. You are doing a good job and your baby has responded positively to being swaddled - if it ain't broke, don't fix it!

Personally, I would swaddle him at home. (I'm sure he will outgrow this soon.) He's a baby and it sounds like he needs to be swaddled to feel comforted.

K.,
I am a mother of a one year old boy and a daycare worker who works with infants and toddlers. I know it seems cruel for those little ones who like to be swaddled and cant be. It breaks my heart putting those babies in thier cribs without a blanket, but the reasoning is for the safety of the child. I worked with an infant who sounds alot like your son. He really liked to be swaddled while sleeping. At the daycare he may not be able to be swaddled, but he can use a sleep sack. My son liked them when he was smaller, and so did the little one at the center. Hopes this helps.

I would talk to your day care and find out how they are doing there. Does he take a normal nap for them without being swaddled? Also, see what they recommend for at home. Our youngest was stuck on her pacifier at nap time and bed time for the longest time. What we didn't know was that when she was at day care she wouldn't ask for or act like she needed it at nap time, so she didn't get it. After a week of this, our provider sent the pacifiers home. At home she was always getting it. So we pulled it at home. We struggled for a couple days with it, but she did adjust.

I hated daycare because of that it was so sad that he couldnt have his blankie :( they make a blankie sleeper that they will put him into if you request it - approved by the state. anyway I did NOT stop swaddling at home. no way - and eventually (after 3 weeks) I chose to have someone come to our house and watch him so I could have things done my way and not the state of michigans way.

a few things I find funny is my little huy will listen to the nanny about napping but not me! they know when they have to do something for one person but who will let them get away with something!

and dont worry about jans comment telling you to be the parent - seriously. as a parent your role is clearly to bring up your child as you see fit and swaddling is clearly a part of it if your child is so inclined. I have two teens and trust me spoiling coddling swaddling or sleeping with a baby does not make them have bad habits when they are older - it merely gives them a happy and secure life :)