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5-month-old can't sleep without being swaddled
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Anonymous
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My DD is five months old, and we've been swaddling her since day one. Our ped's been telling us that now it's time to stop swaddling and just put her down in a sleep sack. Trouble is, she's kicking her legs up trying to get out of her sleep sack. And of course, she's not sleeping at all. The only way to get her to sleep is to wrap her really tight in a Miracle blanket (it's getting too small now, but we don't have an alternative to it).
Did anyone have a similar experience? How long did you continue swaddling? I'm worried that I'm impeding her motor skills development, but at the same time, I do need her to get a good night's sleep. TIA! |
Anonymous
I would be interested to hear what everyone has to say. I am very worried about that day when it comes. We swaddle all the time and I know my DD will not be able to sleep without her miracle blanket/swaddle. Im nervous. |
Anonymous
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My 14 week old sleeps much better swaddled, but three days ago he rolled over during tummy time. This was a warning to me that he can't be swaddled forever!
Starting two nights ago, I swaddled him with his right arm out. It looks a little weird but I'm hoping it's a good transition for him. So far, he's still sleeping very well. In a week or so, I plan to use the swaddle but with both arms out. It may not work. I'm happy to update after this happens... |
Anonymous
| Only swaddle the arms once the baby starts kicking out the bottom. We swaddled until almost 7 months -- DD definitely needed it. |
Anonymous
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We just did this, and it wasn't as difficult as I thought it would be. I started with taking one leg out of the Miracle Blanket swaddle (you need to leave one leg in to "anchor" it so the whole blanket doesn't ride up, which could be dangerous). Then, a few days later, one arm. But I still wrapped the remaining limbs and torso tight, so DS still had that feeling of security.
Finally, I coupled the first swaddle-less night with the first night of sleep training. I know, I know... seems like too much at once right? I chewed on this one for a long time, but realized that DS needed to be able to soothe himself if his flailing, swaddle-free limbs woke him up in the middle of the night. And it went really well. Just a few minutes of fussing, and he's been sleeping just fine since!! The Miracle Blanket truly is a miracle -- until you can't use it anymore! Good luck.... |
Anonymous
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I have a very similar situation with our 4 month old. We went in for the check up and was told no swaddling. We were told it is a suffocation risk if they roll over and can't get back because their arms are swaddled. Getting him down is the hardest. The first two nights were as difficult as when we first brought him home from the hospital but it is starting to get better. He is starting to wake up less throughout the night (and goes back easier). And the scratching on his head has lessened- this added to the difficulty of keeping him asleep. I would give it about a week of difficult nights...
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Anonymous
| Be sure not to swaddle the arms once they can roll over as it is a suffocation risk as pp mentioned! |
jloukiss
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| We swaddled until 7 or 8 months, legs out, arms wrapped tightly. I can't remember how we stopped but it became clear that our son didn't need it any longer. Good luck! |
Anonymous
| We swaddled till 7 mos, with arms out. Our pediatrician never said there was anything wrong with doing that. She eventually just outgrew her blankets, so we switched to footed jammies and she did just fine. |
Anonymous
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OP, have you tried unswaddling for a couple nights, or just for a brief period (one night, a few hours of a night)? We were really nervous about unswadding, but went for it at 3.5 months because he kept breaking out. Had one bad night with lots of wakeups and then he adjusted fine to the sleep sack.
Are you also swaddling for naps? If so, you could start with unswaddling there. If you want to keep swaddling I'd recommend the Kiddopotamus swaddle me's, they come in a large size and might work well for you. |
Anonymous
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This is very common, and your child will adapt (they all do), but it takes a few rough nights. The longer they depend on the swaddle, the harder it is to break. Some have done well unswaddling an arm at a time. But you don't want to put it off any longer because of the issue once your baby learns to roll over. If you need motivation to cut the cord, just remember you can't have your baby face down with his/her arms pinned in a swaddle.
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Anonymous
| Hmm.. why does your ped think your child shouldn't be swaddled? I would get another ped! Babies are all different and I would do what makes my baby feel safe. I swaddled our little one until about 18 months. Yes.. 18 months! I mean tighty like we did as a newborn., It didn't hurt anyone and he loved it.You are the parent and you know your child better than anyone! Our child is well adjusted, happy, sleep through the night child. As a parent.. GO WITH YOUR GUT! I would stop asking people for their advice as you are bound to get many different opinons, Go with what is best for your child and what makes them happy. Only YOU know what that is. I would also stop worrying about what everyone else's child is and isn't doing. All children are different and if your child wants to swaddle.. swaddle! |
Anonymous
| I just hate this every time I read about swaddling a baby. In fact I am going to start wring letters to doctor asking why this practice is getting so carried away. I want you people to think about what you are doing to these babies. They can not move around in those things. How would you like to sleep all night long with your arms stuck under you? Think people your arms would fall asleep on you hurting you. This in my mind is as bad as strapping a a baby down. Now I am hearing mothers doing this to the baby pass 3 months and longer!... 3 months is too long in my mind but the baby does wake up so the mother does have to let his or her arms free in the night at some time ... |
Anonymous
| Despite the previous poster that acts like swaddling is some sort of torture (performed all around the world btw!), we swaddled for about 8 months, used the miracle blanket, legs free. We tried a couple times to see if she wanted to sleep without, but she was unhappy, once swaddled content. At about 8 months, we stopped, she had a fussy night, figured out how to sleep on her belly, near the corner of the crib and was fine--I think she just likes being "cozy". Second kid only swaddled for a month or so, he wasn't into it--all kids are different. |
Anonymous
Your DC must not fight sleep by flailing his/her arms like mine does all night. We stopped swaddling our 7mo almost 3 months ago but given that others have kept it going, I am inclined to go back to it for awhile if it will mean a good night sleep for everyone - especially her! |