Swaddling - Pittsburgh,PA

My kids, all 3, weren't much into being swaddled past the first week or so. I actually want against the reccomendations with all 3 and slept them on their bellys. They slept AWESOME from that point on. Being on their bellys kept their movements controlled, but they weren't all squished up and were much more confortable. Just an idea.

I swaddled my daughter as long as she would allow me. She slept through the night starting at 7 weeks and we've never had a sleepless night yet.

I started swaddling my daughter from birth. As she is fighting to go yo sleep and in the morning when she wakes up and wants to play she seems to hate the fact she is swaddled, but I believe that the only reason she started sleeping through the night at 8 weeks is because she is swaddled. I think my 3 month old feels safe when swaddled, like someone is holding her all night.

I'm definitely an advocate for swaddling, but you may have to experiment a little to find what works best for your baby. My baby is now 3 months old and I'm still swaddling her. When I leave her arms out, she still wakes herself with involuntary movement. One of the other moms suggested Harvey Karp's book "Happiest Baby on the Block." I also recommend his 5 S technique. The book should be called "The Happiest MOMMY on the block" lol. As a new mom it's probably hard for you to find spare time to read (it still is for me)... If you're interested, there is also a DVD that is only about 30 minutes. Here's a link to Harvey Karp's website. http://www.thehappiestbaby.com/store.html#baby

Hi C.,

Here's a website on swaddling:

http://parents.berkeley.edu/advice/babies/swaddling.html

Hope this helps. D.

My little girl used to hate the process of being swaddled but she couldn't sleep well without it. We swaddled her for four months then slowly weaned her off of it. It is completely normal for your child to protest- since she sleeps well while swaddled I'd say your doing the right thing for her. Keep it up!

I rented the DVD "The Happiest Baby on the Block" from the library and it was the best thing ever! I didn't swaddle correctly until I saw this video! From the minute we used Dr Karps' way of swaddeling my daughter started sleeping for 6 hours at a time! I thought she didn't like to be swaddled, but I just wasn't doing it correctly!

e.

Both our sons hated swaddling as we were doing it, but slept well while being tucked. The older one needed it until he could roll over safely and sleep on his belly (probably around 6 months for him). He outgrew the large SwaddleMe, so we had to wrap big recieving blankets around it to keep him tucked in. Whenever he got his arms out, he would hit himself in the head and cry. The younger one started out being swaddled, but always ends up w/ the blanket over his head or completely seperate from the SwaddleMe, don't ask me how he did it. We had all intentions of swaddling the younger one for as long, but he doesn't need it. He's almost 5 months old and sleeps through the night in just pjs.

So I'd keep her swaddled. If it helps her get a good nights sleep, which in turn helps you get a good nights sleep, than keep it up.

Good Luck!
T.

They LOVE to be swaddled (there are very few exceptions). I recommend Dr. Karp's "The Happiest Baby on the Block"..it goes in depth about the 5 "S"s...one of them is swaddling...great book!
Also look into getting an "Amby" bed...you could google it..it helped my dd at that age..they are pricey but you could check Craig"s list for a used one..:)

Hi C.,

It sounds like your baby likes to be swaddled. When babies aren't swaddled their involuntary movements will wake them up. I swaddled my son at night until he was 5 months old. I know your daughter looks like she is uncomfortable, but she is probably quite snug and cozy. If you think about how squished your baby was inside of your belly - they like that snug, squished, warm feeling - it reminds them of being in your belly and that is why babies generally sleep better if swaddled. As long as she is sleeping well, keep swaddling her.

J.

A Mother's Boutique
Maternity & Breastfeeding clothing, Nursing Bras, Breast Pumps, Slings and Accessories.
MamaSource members save 10% off their first order (excluding breastpumps) with coupon MAMASOURCE
http://www.mothersboutique.com

C.,

Think of the first three months as the 4th trimester. Your baby still needs the warm and cuddling and tightness of the womb. Swaddling will provide that. I know many mothers taht swaddled until 4 or 5 months of age.

Best of Luck!
J.

I agree with the last post. Both my girls had this problem, as soon as I took out their hands they were good to go. Good luck!

I think you need to think about the end result to answer your question:

Swaddling = good night sleep
Not swaddled = waking/fussing

I'd go with the swaddling. She may not like being swaddled awake, but she sure loves it when she's asleep, lol!

K. B
mom to 5 including triplets
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/HarrisburgPAChat

Many babies at this age and older fuss a little before going to sleep. They have to have a way to expel unused energy so that they can get into a good sleep. Adults and older children can walk and run around. But what can a 7 week old do? Your child may also just be restless. I would keep swaddling for a while longer. It makes them feel secure and snug, like in the womb. Good luck and God bless.

this was about the age when my son did the same thing. I started swaddling but leaving his arms out and that solved the issue... about two or three weeks later, i went to just covering him in blankets... it was sort of easing him out of swaddling gently and he took to it very well. He slept through the night at around 8 or nine weeks. good luck! She may just be getting ready to be more free.