How long is it safe to swaddle for?

[ElphabaTheGreen]

I didn't swaddle DS1 because the midwives where we lived at the time put The Fear into me that it was a SIDS risk. It would seem swaddling is OK in the area we live now (go figure...) and it's recommended and used quite widely it would seem, so I'm dabbling in it with DS2 (1 week old). I'm using a light muslin swaddle to avoid overheating, and am using Harvey Karp's 'Happiest Baby' method of swaddling, but how long do you leave them trussed up for? A full nap or night time sleep, or loosen it after an hour or so?

TIA

[ElphabaTheGreen]

Bump?

[rootypig]

Don't know, but bumping for you.

Are you in the US? they are bloody obsessed with swaddling. Obsessed.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

No - not in the US but have had Happiest Baby (by a US paediatrician) recommended to me by the sleep consultant we used for DS1. Also, I've noticed that swaddling paraphernalia is widely available in baby shops.

[ElphabaTheGreen]

And the midwives in the hospital swaddled DS2 for the 35 seconds or so I didn't have him skin-to-skin.

[rootypig]

Does he like it? DD hated it but American MIL said I did it wrong (naturally )

re how long it's safe to swaddle for, we have friends in US who are still doing it at 3 months+, so I imagine you're safe now. I seem to remember it's until they roll-? presumably the problem is they then can't use their arms to lift their head to get out of difficulties.

[TheOneWiththeNicestSmile]

IME you can only swaddle as long as the baby is up for i

Once they start fighting it you can forget it

[TheOneWiththeNicestSmile]

Also you can only do it properly with woven fabric

With knitted they can fight their way out when they want to

(American woven receiving blankets are the best)

[ElphabaTheGreen]

Yes, I understand that you only do it until 3 months-ish or until they no longer tolerate it, but do you keep them swaddled all night, or just for the first hour or so then loosen? Do you keep them swaddled for the full duration of naps?

[keepitgoing]

yes, I kept her swaddled most of the night till she'd come in with me after 5am ish feed. stopping swaddling was hard at 3.5m as she kept waking herself with the startle reflex...

[Curiouslygrumpycola]

I was told only for the first month as after that it restricts their growth. Reading that back I'm thinking that might be an old wife's tale. Both my boys didn't like it anyway.

[rootypig]

Oh sorry I misunderstood how long!

I must say I find swaddling quite alarming. But that is based on nothing at all other than not being familiar and MIL banging on about it constantly

[TheOneWiththeNicestSmile]

I misunderstood too

Iirc mine stayed swaddled for the duration of whatever sleep it was. (Youngest is 21 now so memories are dim & distant)

Also most of mine were born before the Back to Sleep thing began so slept on their tummies when tiny & that minimises newborn startling anyway.

[Jojay]

Mine were swaddle addicts so remained trussed up until about 10 months .

I never loosened it once they were asleep though , didn't want to risk waking them!

[PinkAndBlueBedtimeBears]

Dd loved being swaddled, she was swaddled every night until she could roll- but only at night, I didn't want her to be totally reliant on it and it was less of a problem if she had an interrupted day time nap!
Ds (1 week old) isn't really fussed either way yet. If he's bring grouchy il swaddle him and see how it goes!

[PinkAndBlueBedtimeBears]

Oh and never touch or go near disturb a sleeping baby.. Leave the swaddle and enjoy some sleep!

[MrsPatMustard]

DS was swaddled until about 4 months. It really helped him sleep. Then we switched to a 50/50 swaddle -up to try and wean him off it.

[WhizzPopBang]

DD was swaddled til 6 months, and yes all night and for the duration of naps. She worked out how to wriggle out of a muslin within days, and she did also appear to not like being swaddled early on. We persisted and got a miracle blanket (one of THESE - bit like a straight jacket), and she quickly learned to love being swaddled - she'd relax and go very calm as soon as we put her in it, ready for nap time. We only stopped swaddling when she grew too big for it!

FWIW I think a lot of people give up swaddling because they think their babies don't like it, and wriggle out, but it's worth persevering.

[Monstermonkeymum]

Our ds was swaddled until 4 months and for naps and night sleeps, especially as he had a very strong startle reflex which would constantly wake him. We would treat the swaddle as an extra layer and dress accordingly. He loved it but we were able to wean him off it fairly easily when he was ready.

[feeona123]

My baby is 4.5 months and still swaddled. We use 'love to dream' swaddle suits.