Swaddling Baby

We swaddled until almost 7 months, and it was also difficult on our sitter(s). The main sitter didn't believe in it and wouldn't try it, yet she constantly complained that my daughter didn't nap. Our daughter started pulling her arms out around 6.5 months, so we started wrapping only her abdomen. By 7 months, she was getting out of that. She had to have the blanket in there with her, but she still slept. Your daughter will start telling you when she's ready to give it up. And if you wait until she's ready, she will adjust quickly to the new sleep arrangements. If you do it too early, she'll fight. Just watch her for signs that she's ready. (Escaping, struggling when you try to wrap her, etc)

We swaddled our baby until she was about 6 months old. Once she started moving around, she would always get out of the blanket during the night, but we felt we still needed it to transfer her to the crib from our arms. Without the swaddle she would wake up as soon as she hit the mattress. Once she learned how to fall asleep on her own and we were able to put her down while she was awake she didn't need to be swaddled anymore. I have a friend who swaddled her son until he was a year old. So I agree with the other moms who have said it just depends on the baby.

My dd loved her miracle blanket as well -- around 6.5 months we stopped, as she started fussing when we put her in it. The only "bad" thing I'd say is I wonder if it has effected her gross motor skills -- she hardly even rolls over, and can't get into a sitting position herself (she's almost 9 mo right now). Purely speculation, but I wonder. I'm sure it won't be a detriment in the long run, though, and those first six months of sleeping BLISS were so important to our family b/c she is #2, and it made the transition much easier for ds (2.5 now)

T.

We still swaddle our 8 month old son. We only do his arms/ top half, and do not swaddle his legs. I've heard from many places that continuing to swaddle their legs tightly can affect their hip development when done over 8 hours. So, we just do his top with the Miracle Blanket (love it!). We are hoping to slowly transition him out of it, but for now, he sleeps well swaddled.

T.

M.,
My little guy is 7 months old and we still do a "light swaddle" where we just loosely wrap his bottom half and leave his arms out. I asked his doctor at the last visit and he says that if the baby likes it and his movement is not really restricted then it is okay. I know that he can get out of the swaddle pretty easily but most wake-up times he is still somewhat wrapped up. I think that every baby is different and you should do what feels right to you.
Hope this helps!
T.

Too funny... I am in the same boat.. I just made a post for some advice on how to stop swaddling. I have read that as long as you give them plenty of tummy time and plenty of time to play freely when they aren't sleeping, that swaddling is fine past 6 months... Now, is it the right thing? Only you can answer that. I know I feel it is time to stop with my Daughter. I use the Miracle Blanket so anyone can learn how to swaddle with it...

We swaddled our son till he was 8-9 months. He loved it. ofcourse he could take his arms out eventually but he still loved that bundled up feeling. To date he sleeps with his blankie (receiving blankets we used when he was a baby) - he is 4 now. And he loves snuggling under blankets. My daughter - we tried the same thing and she refused to be swaddled. She would just wiggle her way out and she is almost 2 and doesn't like to be covered. I don't think swaddling is a bad thing. If your little one likes it - go ahead.

Good luck.
Aarti.

Our friends swaddled their baby til 9 months. He's now 3 1/2 and doing just fine. Some babies just like the close, tightly wrapped feeling longer than others.