Is It Necessary to "Un-addict" a Swaddler?

My youngest is 3 now but he was my "swaddler", he had to be wrapped up. I even had to make him some special thin larger blankets to use. I never worried about it at all, as he got older things changed a bit. He didn't need to be swaddled but he wouldn't fall asleep without a sheet weight blanket over his face, (yes I worried, but i would move it once he was deeply asleep) now at 3 1/2 he still always wants a blanket tucked around him, but I'm a little like that too. I don't think I would worry. I always tried to respect my infants comfort levels and not try to make them fit into a preconceived idea of how they should be. Babies are as individual as anyone else...
Hope this helps.

The problem we encountered with the swaddling battle was that eventually they don't make the blankets big enough to swaddle. So stopping at some pint will be a necessity.

I think 6 mos. is a bit soon to worry about it. We stopped at about 12.

My personal experience is, when he doesn't want to be swaddled anymore, you'll know it and he'll grow out of it. 4 months seems a little young...he may transition easily before you have to "do anything" about it.

Hi T.,

My opinion and the rule I live by "Why fix whats not broke". If he is sleeping good now then continue with it, why stop ?
If it works for you and your son thats all that matters. Your ped doesn't live with your son you do.

I may be speaking out of turn, but I feel that if swaddling works, why not do it. There will come a time when he will be too big to be swaddled but by then he may be more comfortable with his sleeping pattern.

Pooh on your ped! If your son wants to be swaddled, do it! My oldest, who is now 9, loved being swaddled. She still does from time to time, esp. when she's feeling sick or sad. My other 2 children never liked being swaddled. So if your son needs it, do it! You know whats best for your son, so don't let people make you 2nd guess yourself. Its the one thing we moms do to ourselves. Trust your instinct, I can guarantee you'll be corred 99.9% of the time, always.

We always called it burrito baby.

C.
Mom to Lily (4/98) Caroline (4/01) and Samuel (7/04)

I wouldn't worry about it. He will grow out of it on his own. My boys grew out of it by 6 months, but my cousin's wife wrapped her babies up even after they could walk. She would get them ready for bed and instead of just tucking them in, she would wrap them up. It was just a harmless comfort thing.

My daughter was exactly the same way. I struggled to try to "break" her of it without any luck. My doctor said it was fine to swaddle her for as long as she wanted and that many cultures do for the entire first year. He also said there is new "scientific" evidence that shows it may acutally be very beneficial to swaddle beyond the early months. All that being said, my daughter (who is 7 months now) grew out of it naturally and on her own at about 6 months. I wish I wouldn't have wasted all that time and stress trying to force her to do it. I'm learning that they let you know what they need and it's often better to "listen" to them...

T.,
I have triplet boys who loved to be swaddled. I kept swaddling them until they could escape the blanket and then put them in blanket sacks and they felt warm and secure. Do what works for your baby and dont worry about it.
I wish I could still swaddle my boys, it might make them calm down faster at bedtime but I think at 2 that might be a little much! Good luck!!
C.

Hello T.,

I wouldn't worry about it. Some babies need that security longer than others. I would have loved any of my three babies to sleep swaddled, however, mine wouldn't sleep without being on my chest or touching me. Swaddle that bundle of joy, and let him be a baby. Every baby is different and they all have different needs. Enjoy being a mommy and don't worry.

Blessings,
T.

Hi T.,

I have 6 1/2 month old twins (boy and girl). We used to swaddle both of them until about about 5 months. Around 4 months they would both pull their arms out from time to time, and this did not disrupt the sleep for our little girl, so we moved her to a blanket sack a little earlier than our son. We tried this with him as well, but found he would disrupt his sleep by hitting or scratching his face, so we had to swaddle him a little longer. Now they both sleep in blanket sacks and we have to cover his hands from time to time when he wants to scratch.

Basically, we just watched to see how their sleeping habits were changing and looked to transition them to the blanket sacks when they seemed to naturally want their arms out (they both would put their hands in their mouth around this time).

Hope this is helpful,
B.

If he sleeps well swaddled, I don't think there is any reason why you shouldn't keep doing it. Once he starts rolling, he will unswaddle himself. My son had a lot of sleep problems at the beginning and I read a ton of baby sleep books. A lot of them reccommended swaddling, even until the baby was 9 months old. Why is your pedi worried about it? At 4 months, even if he did get himself loose, he could turn his face away from the blankets, so there is little suffocation risk. I think moms should do anything they can to help thier little ones sleep. Good luck!

T.,

Wow do I remember that stage!! :} My boys are now 2 and 4, so although it's been a bit, I would totally recommend that you NOT worry about it! Obviously, I wouldn't want to contradict your doctor, but my philosophy was always "Whatever they need to sleep well!" When my oldest was about 3-4 mos. old he started taking his FAVORITE toy and laying it over his face when he fell asleep! Naturally, I was terrified of SIDS complications, but everytime I took it away, he'd fuss. Eventually I decided he was mobile enough to knock the thing off if he needed to, and we both slept better. ;)

Swaddling is a comfort technique for new babies. Within the next few months, your son will actually start to NOT like being swaddled. Right now, he can't control his arms and legs, so they tend to frighten him. Once he has better motor skills, he'll actually become fascinated with his own limbs and won't keep a blanket on if you try! Just trust your baby; he'll let you know when he's ready. I think you'll be fine! Hang in there! ;)

I have one word for you, which is so very hard for new mom's. RELAX! When you truly love your baby, you will can never do something to hurt him. I have heard some of the advice doctors have been giving to some mom's and it all seems so very over the edge. Relax. Babies will tell you what they need when they need it, and you will know. Trust you, trust your baby, and you both will be fine!

My daughter was between 6-7 months before she slept unswaddled. I just used bigger blankets. Eventually she would unwrap herself and fall asleep. Like you I thought I needed to leave her arm out and gradually wean her, but she didn't like that and weaned herself eventually.

I swaddled my son as long as he wanted. He naturally started growing out of it when he was a few months old and started realizing he could move (he's 6 months now). If he sleeps better being swaddled, I'd keep doing it. To me, its no different than a child who likes to be tucked in tight in their big kid bed.

I don't get why you think you have a problem. He's happy & he likes to be secure. Some people sling their baby on them almost swaddled until they're walking (I couldn't do that). Let him be happy & feel safe. He was use to pretty tight quarters the first 9 mos of his life. Now that he's out ... let him stay warm & cuddly. My son is 9 & he might sleep with 1 lightweight blanket. My daughter is 10 & she likes lots of heavy blankets. Its not a warmth thing, they feel comfortable like that. Also, they surround their bodies with stuffed animals & pillows so they can barely move. They swaddle themselves now, but they both loved it as a baby & I don't think there is a magic number when to stop. It just accidently happened with us. We didn't plan it, but we did do it for a long time. Doctors often are heartless when they tell you things & think you are creating a nightmare if you don't follow their steps. Remember everyone developes differently & things come in different age ranges not a set time. Take the advise, but don't worry about them.

My daughter absolutely had to be swaddled from birth or she would not sleep at all! And i took me about a week to figure that out, being a new mother and all. But she just kinda grew out of it. She will be 2 in two days and she still sleeps like a rock all night. So I say just see what happens, he will most likely grow out of it.

No way Jose. I so wouldn't worry about it. He will naturally out grow the wanting to be swaddled. I think trying to "un-addict" him is way more trouble than it's worth, and much too big of a fight.
Good luck, enjoy him!
Jess

I don't have firsthand experience, but my nephew is 11 months old now and my sister still wraps him up in a blanket to go to sleep. I don't see what it can harm for your son to like the feel of being swaddled. As he gets older and starts rolling a lot more he will undo himself from the blanket and still be able to sleep. I think they just like that comfort feeling when they fall asleep.

Keep swaddling, it won't hurt a thing. Do what's best for YOUR baby.
D.-mom of 9

My daughter just turned 5 months old. We used to swaddle her really really tightly. Last month she started doing what your son did. I tried to swaddle her tighter but it didn't matter... she still worked her little arms out of the blanket. Now she's just naturally transitioning to being not swaddled. Also, this may help... I have noticed in the last week that my daughter will put her own pacifier in her mouth. We keep it attached to her sleeper with a Mam pacifier keeper. Anyway, if your son pulls his paci out, he may get into the habit of putting it back in all by himself, which will help. Just give it time. I know its stressful but try to stick with it. I don't swaddle my little girl anymore but also I think her sleeping has just improved because she's a little bit older and bigger... maybe that will happen with your son too. Good Luck!

We swaddled both of our children past the 4 month mark. My son was BIG, so I actually sewed him bigger swaddling blankets! For us, they both outgrew the need for swaddling on their own. I would say go with your instinct!

T.,

I think it's great that your concerned about doing exactly the right thing for your son. Here is just my opinion on the swaddling issue...I think what the pedtrician said is ridiculous. It is completely natural for a baby, especially at 4 months old, to want to be swaddled. That's how they lived in your womb for almost ten months, tight quarters and warm and snug. I have a 2 yr old son who was swaddled until he was 8 months old. I now have a 10 month old (almost 11 months old) girl who I still swaddle for nap and bed time. She unwraps herself after a while, but it doesn't interrupt her sleep. If your son still wakes up fussy even after you swaddle him tightly, it could be that something else is waking him up.
Chances are that when he starts crawling and being very mobile, he may "un-addict" himself from being swaddled. That is what my son did. Swaddling is normal and very beneficial for your baby, it doesn't matter what age, it's not harmful. For more info on swaddling, google it, or read about it in some baby books, such as "What to expect the first year" or "The Baby Book".
Hope this helps,
J.

I am a mom of 3 girls, have babysat countless other children and assist with childbirth classes where we offer baby care instruction. This is the advice we give our parents. You know your child better than anyone else. As long as what you are doing is not causing any medical harm to your child, go for it! Swaddling is a wonderful technique. If you have not read or seen the book or video "The Happiest Baby On the Block" - you should go find a copy. It would reinforce that what you are doing is just fine. Best wishes and keep enjoying your wonderful baby!

Hi T.,
Others may have very different responses to this but I have a 10 month old that I still swaddle. I asked my pediatrician about this and his response was "if it works for him, go with it". My husband was specifically concerned with it and asked a lot of questions, but our pediatrician wasn't worried about it. We don't swaddle his arms anymore, we've kinda just worked him out of that part.

I haven't read all of the responses, so I'm not sure if you've gotten this one yet. My daughter was swaddled until she was 5 months old. She got used to her arms being free on her own. She would get them out little by little during the night as time went on. When she finally grew out of her swaddling blanket, I used a big blanket sleeper. I think it was from Wal-Mart or Target. It zipped up the side and there were snaps by the shoulders. She loved that her legs were still together in the blanket, but her arms were free.

My son loved being swaddled also. It got to the point were my husband asked the pediatrician if we should by large bed sheets because he was getting to big for recieving blankets. She told us then that he would out grow it when he was ready and luckily he did. He was about 5-6 months old when he was finally done with being swaddled. I did do some of the things you already mentioned-wrapping him loser, leaving out a arm, not wrapping his feet in at the bottom, etc.

If nothing else, I hope this makes you feel better about swaddling your son.

Good Luck!

I am a daycare provider and one of my babies had to be swaddled to sleep, she is now to long for the swaddling blanket and knows how to get her arms out of a larger blanket. She now sleeps on her side but with me at least (not sure w mom and dad) I have to cover her face and keep her really warm to sleep, but once she is asleep she is out cold. Hope this helps. She did not have to be weaned to sleep wout the swaddler

I swaddled my son until he was 6 months old because he loved it. He grew out of it around the time we moved his sister out of the crib to a big girl bed and him into the crib.

My daughter, on the other hand, hated to be swaddled and I gave it up with her at about 2 months. She would unswaddle herself almost immediately when put down.

I think each child is different, so if your little guy loves it, I wouldn't stop. "Choose your battles" is some of the best advice I've ever gotten about these things. As long as there is no risk to him, and it makes him happy, then stick with it. Why take away something that he finds comforting?

T.,
I say don't fight it. Just swaddle the poor little guy. When he is a big guy, you can just tuck him in really snug "Snug as a bug in a rug" is what i tell my daughter as we tuck her in at night. Don't worry about these little issues - you'll have bigger ones. Save your energy :)

Teresa,
I have to say, my favorite line that I read was "Pooh on your Ped." and "your ped does not live with you son, you do."
"if it is not broke, don't fix it." Bless New Moms, now my son is almost Four, but as new moms, we sometimes hang on the every word our peds say, but you know what, your ped is a human and a medical doctor, not the "mommy" who carried her baby in-womb for almost 10 months. You will learn that your instincts, "your dance" with your baby, will lead you the best way in life. Look up information on "9 months in/9 months out" I think you will find comfort in the theory.
The more your baby is "snug as a bug in a rug" the happier he and you will be. You are doing a great job, listening to your baby. Happy dancing!!! M. N.

We swaddled until our son was 7 months & then we only stopped because it was too hot :) I would just keep swaddling as long as he needs it. Every baby is different & you are the expert on your baby, so listen to your instict & take your doctors advice with a grain of salt.

Good luck!

Don't believe everything your doctor tells you because not all babies are on the same time schedule. If your baby wants to be swaddled, then comfort him. He is just a baby and there are very few wants he can express. Enjoy the swaddling and his great sleeping.

If they can't control their arms, then swaddling is necessary. I recommend the miracle blanket if they start getting out of the swaddle with a regular blanket. And although your ped would not recommend it, sometimes babies who like to be swaddled are really closet tummy sleepers. :) As it gets hot and harder to keep him at a comfortable temperature when swaddled, if you are comfortable with it, try lying him down on his tummy. It will naturally hold his arms down and prevent the startle reflex.

If it helps him go ahead and help him. There are so many variations in children go ahead and do what's best for your own child. Obviously you don't want to hinder him, but even your Dr. doesn't see anything wrong with a 4 month old being swaddled. It's hard when a Dr. says something to question it but ask why. Sometimes they go on their own personal preferences. You are living him don't be afraid to do what he needs,if there's no harm involved. This M. stuff is tricky but relying on common sense is a pretty guide. Swaddle and make your baby comfortable so he can sleep all you and he needs

I don't think so. My daughter was a swaddle-addict as well. I think we swaddled her until she was about 6-7 months. We kept her arms in a swaddled her tight for as long as possible. Slowly she started getting too big for the blankets so we'd leave her arms out. Then she got even bigger and kicking her feet out, so she was just kind of loosely rolled up. Then she started crawling, so we'd put her to bed wrapped up and by the time she got up in the morning she was out of it. So, I guess she slowly weaned herself from swaddling.

Do what works for you and what works for your son. Who knows, by 6 months he might start to grow out of it. I wouldn't worry about it right now.

I despise how doctors put a time on everything (no swaddling after 6 mths, a baby can't be spoiled before 6mths, no bottle after 12 mths etc etc). It's like they're saying at 5 mths & 29 days it's okay, but the next day it's not.

You will know when & how to wean your baby. Your baby may even grow out of it once he can crawl & do things by himself. He's needing the security.

If you really feel the need to wean him, try swaddling him, but not holding him, lay him in his crib & rub his back while you play soothing music. Make this a bedtime routine.