Notes From a Real Mom: Swaddling Works!
I’m a huge fan of swaddling. I didn’t realize how important it was until after Jake was two months old and beyond sleep deprived. Brian LOVES the swaddle. He wants to be swaddled in the car, in the swing, and anytime he’s on his back for more than a few minutes. 
A few notes on swaddling:
Make it tight. The tighter you swaddle, the more comfortable a baby is. It’s backwards, I know. Try though and see – just don’t do it too tight. Besides, a loose blanket in the crib can be a very bad thing as far as SIDS is concerned.
Use a big blanket. I have big babies, so regular blankets and even the little packaged swaddles are a joke for us. My mom made me some huge blankets, but they are flannel so a bit too hot for summer. Fortunately I found the perfect solution. I went to the fabric store, bought some muslin with cute patterns, and cut my own. The cloth is lightweight, easy to clean and most importantly – big enough for my big boy.
Keep the arms down. Some babies like to suck on their fingers, but most can’t get their hands to their mouths on their own. Swaddle with arms straight down to help keep the swaddle tight and keep baby from breaking out. If he’s dying to suck, give him a pacifier. Most babies will just spit it out when they fall asleep anyway.
Don’t rush to give up the swaddle. Babies like swaddling, especially at night, for a long time. Some are over it by eight weeks, but others will stay swaddled and sleep better for months. When your baby constantly breaks out of the swaddle or can sleep just as well with one arm out, he’s probably ready to leave the blankets behind.
Don’t swaddle all the time. As much as your baby may respond to swaddling, don’t do it all the time. He needs time to stretch his legs, play on his tummy and learn all kinds of baby skills.
We use the swaddle when he’s sleeping and when he’s awake but fussy. As he starts to sleep less during the day and fuss less, the swaddle will move just to nights and then he’ll give it up completely in the next few months.
I love swaddling my new baby boy, he definitely loves it too. My wife tells me the proper name is receiving blanket but I like to call them ’swaddles’ I never thought it would be a good idea to not swaddle all the time. Thanks for that.
Comment by Aleo1203 | August 18, 2007
I love swaddling, too - and in the first weeks it’s not terrible to swaddle most of the time. They sleep most of the time anyway. It’s just when they start to wake up and want to interact that they need a bit of time to “breathe.”
Oh, and we call those same blankets burp clothes at my house - LOL (It’s one of those giant baby jokes)
Comment by Rebecca | August 19, 2007
[…] Swaddling – Little ones respond very well to swaddling. Keep it Small – Newborns will freak if their bed is too big. Keep them in something small enough that they feel safe and secure. […]
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