Hello Everyone - I have an 11 week old daughter who still needs to be swaddled to go to sleep. She is now getting so big it is becoming more difficult to effectively swaddle her. If she gets her arms out before she falls asleep she ends up waking herself up. I have tried a couple of times to get her to sleep with her arms out, but she does not get a good nights sleep (and neither do I) when her arms are out. So I need some advice. How old was your baby when you stopped swaddling? How did you get them used to sleeping with their arms out? Any advice is greatly appreciated. Thanks!
Hello Jana -
I have a three month old daughter and I only swaddled her for about three weeks at most. She did not like her hands tied down just like yours :-)
Mine was waking up because she was scratching herself, so I had to make sure that her fingernails were cut short. I also used the no scratch mittens or fold her sleeves on her pajamas (you know, the ones that have little flaps).
I think she learned to sleep without waking herself up in a matter of a couple of weeks. Just be patient!!!
I swaddled my son (and daycare did too) for at least a year. When they get bigger you need to get bigger swaddling blankets. At first I didn't think it was working b/c he'd get his arms out and fuss, but then a friend lent me "The Happiest Baby On The Block" DVD and they went through details on the correct way to swaddle (we referred to it as the straight jacket approach)--the transformation was pretty amazing for us--our son stopped fussing so much, slept longer, and was a much happier baby. Definitely check it out!
You should stop swaddling baby when the baby can flip over on its own.
For my daughter, I stopped well before that. They swaddled her in the hospital, but she always got her arms and legs free at home. Essentially, I put her to bed swaddled by she would quickly work herself free. I would put her to bed in footed pajamas or sleepers both of which had her arms free so that when she got out of the blanket she was still warm, but she was a January baby.
I never did anything to get her used to sleeping that way, that was how she wanted to sleep.
I have a 6.5 month old and I still swaddle him every now and then. I can't see why it would be a problem until you can no longer find blankets big enough to work. Also...you may try only swaddling with one arm wrapped. I do this with Keagan and he still feels cozy without getting too hot or stifled.
Jana,
I've had three children and only learned how to swaddle correctly with number 3 (I'm a slow learner!) I also watched the video mentioned in a previous post and it really helped me understand how to swaddle and why it is so important. I swaddled number 3 for 4 months and she slept so much better than the other two. Gymboree has larger blankets that aren't to thick for bigger babies. If you can get them on sale they aren't too expensive. I also know some moms who made bigger blankets for their babies. Good luck!
I swaddled my little one for almost 5 months. At that point she worked herself free and rolled over on her tummy to sleep. So, I removed the blanket and put her in a Sleepsack. She is still in that at 7 months and still sleeps on her tummy. I say keep trying because they really do seem to sleep better---mine did anyway!
My little one was at least 4 months before she no longer needed to be swaddled. Have you gotten one of those swaddle blankets they sell at Babies R Us. It has velcro to hold it together so the babies can't wiggle out and wake up. This blanket was a life saver!
I would just move to a bigger blanket if your daughter likes swaddling. Maybe try putting some velcro on the bigger blanket so you can attach it. My daughter hated swaddling so we didn't do it too long, only a few weeks. There are many blankets on the market made specifically for swaddling, if you haven't tried those you might want to give them a try.
Hey Jana =)
I don't quite remember when we stopped swaddling our daugher (now a year old)...but I do remember that when we did swaddle her she did kind of the same thing. What we ended up doing is putting her in light pjs (so she didn't get too warm) and swaddling her in TWO receiving blankets AND a "swaddle me".
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=2265535
**They come in all different colors and in S, M, and L sizes.
It made it to where she didn't get out of it at all. Eventually she just wouldn't sleep being swaddled but then again all babies are different. =) Good Luck! Amanda T
Hi! I swaddled my youngest until he was rolling over well. I got some of those pajamas that have the swaddling connected to them. With the blankets, he would wiggle and kick in his sleep and be upset when he woke up without the swaddle. I put a link to what I'm talking about below, but no, I've never purchased from them. I am only using the link to show you a picture example of what I'm talking about. My son loved these. He remained swaddled all night, and warm. He grew out of them and no longer seemed to need them later.
Good luck!
http://www.mystrollers.com/shop/product.aspx?ref=pricegrabber&sku=10523
My boys stopped swaddling relatively early on. I have a girlfriend who swaddled her daughter though until she was about 4 or 5 months.
I have had friends that have swaddled their children up until 6 months of age. You can get bigger swaddle blankets. Try the Miracle blanket. I don't have personal experience with them as my daughter hated being swaddled but I have heard these blankets are great.
My kids stopped on their own but they still like to feel something next to them and be crammed in (for lack of a better explanation). My daughter (1 1/2) likes to have a stuffed animal butted up against her on either side.
I think most times it is a security issue - they like to feel something next to them. Try it and see if it works.
Good luck!
I finally stopped swaddling my son at 6 months because I was the only one who could do it so he couldn't get out. When I was out, he wouldn't sleep well, so I had to wean him. I swear by the Swaddle Designs blanket:
http://www.toysrus.com/product/index.jsp?productId=3016264
He was a big boy and if it was tight enough, he rarely got out. Good luck!
PS When I weaned him, I did it without his arms and then switched to a sleep-sack.
Jana,
I swaddled both of my boys till they were about 8weeks old. They then started doing the same thing you are describing. I did what most parents think is unthinkable, we put our sons to sleep on their sides/stomach with their head sideways. That way they could not flail their arms and slept much longer than being swaddled alone. They are now 4 1/2 and 1 1/2 and doing great.
Good luck.
Cathy G
Mother of 2 beautiful boys and expecting a little girl in 6weeks!
I swaddled my daughter until she was about 6 months old. Eventually she became too strong and would work her way out of the wrap, so things just naturally ended on their own. She transitioned into being a great swaddled sleeper to a great non-swaddled sleeper. Don't worry if you little one still needs this for a bit. The important thing is that you are both getting sleep, and she is being taught to sleep for long periods of time. Good Luck! Take Care.
My son turned 5 months a week ago, and we just recently stopped swaddling. The blanket I was using is still bunched up at the bottom of the crib just in case, actually. I made it myself from linen-like fabric I got for $3.50. It's about 42 inches square. There was a professional nanny who specializes in sleep techniques on my birth board who recommended swaddling blankets be no smaller than that. I got muslin for $1.50, which is an even lighter and more breathable fabric (that's what Aden & Anais use, you're basically just paying for instructions and a pretty design). I was lazy and ended up never sewing the seams onto the muslin fabric, but the other one has been working out fine.
I know one lady on here recommended a couple of soft toys, but your baby is WAY too young for that. I've read that you don't want soft things in the crib with the baby until they're a year old. At least wait until the baby has GREAT neck control and can roll over both ways. There is a real risk of suffocation.
So anyway, my baby at first was the same way, and didn't like to have his hands tucked in. I persisted though, and eventually he would give me the biggest smiles as if to thank me for bundling him up. He would eventually work his way free, but I think the struggle helped to put him to sleep. What I've been doing lately is just nursing or comforting him to sleep, then laying him down on his side with a pacifier. He'll either stay that way or roll over onto his tummy.
Hi Jana!
My son had a very strong startle reflex and would wake himself up almost immediately without the swaddle. The reflex goes away around four months old, and we swaddled Ethan till he learned to roll over at almost five months. (You can't swaddle after they can roll due to suffocation potential if they roll on their faces and don't have their arms free to push up.)
I'd recommend the Miracle Blanket as the swaddler that kept him comfy and sleeping through the night!
Good Luck,
Danielle
My son stopped needing the swaddle at 5 months, but we still did it anyway. Swaddling doesnt hurt, so you can do it as long as it works. To be honest, we still wrap him in the blanket (he is 16.5 months now) but it is a signal of bedtime, not necessary for him to fall asleep. If you need a good swaddle blanket for a bigger baby (because they get big and those blankets dont work as well) I recommend the Swaddle Blanket which Nordstrom carries. It is 30 bucks but it is awesome!!! And you only need one (two if you are concerned about needing to wash it when you need baby to sleep.