Questions about something I read - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

2fst · 07-23-2005, 08:47 PM

I just read finished reading The Happiest Baby on the Block (which some of you recommened I read for my crying baby) and I got 2 questiosn.
We have been trying to swaddle DS. However he always manages to get out. So I went online and ordered a swaddling blanket called the Amazing Miracle Blanket. Tonight I put it on him for the first time and I feel like the worlds worst parent. The thing is like a straight jacket, custom made for babies. My DS hates to be swaddled but when he is sleeping he flails alot and hits himself in the head. We have noticed that this wakes him up and he doesn't sleep as well. So we have started swaddling again and having his hands down helps. But every time we do it no matter what we do he breaks out at least one hand if not two. Now we got this blanket and I feel like it is some form of cruel and unusual treatment. Any one ever try this blanket?

Also in the book it mentions jostleing a baby. We have noticed DS loves this and instantly relaxs when he has "jello-head". Supposedly, according to the book this is okay and will not cause Shaken Baby Syndrom. And while it works like a charm most times with DS I am still not 100% okay with it. I get alot of strange looks when he starts to cry and we jostle him and some will even tell me he is going to get brain damage. Now the books says everything is okay as long as the head and neck are supported and that 1 to 2 inches either way is ok. But please re-assure me he is not going to have brain damage.

jmcummins3 · 07-24-2005, 07:35 AM

I read that book too. Breaking out of the swaddle isn't a big deal, unless it is bothering him. I would think that if he's moving around that much, he's probably already awake by that point. With my DD, having her hands available comforts her, so we swaddle her from the armpits down. She will suck on her fists and put herself back to sleep sometimes, so we leave them out. I am uncomfortable with the jostling too much too, but a little bit when they are fussy seems to help. I would think that if it was hurting them, they'd let you know and cry harder instead of calm down. Maybe you could ask the pediatrician. Our pediatrician recommended that book and told us that newborns are not as fragile as people think. That would lend to the theory that it's okay to jostle them a little bit to settle them, and if it settles them instead of upsets them more, it's probably okay.

nyxin · 07-24-2005, 07:47 AM

i am trying to break my 4 mo from swaddleing. and yes i own a swaddle blanket, and yes he would break out of it like a wet paper bag--- so i invented my own method. take a soft kinda stretchy blanket, the kind that look like long underware is great, hold the arms down (i feel like i have to sit on my son to accomplish this) and swaddle in the first blanket, then put on the special swaddle blanket making sure you encompass the shoulders like a sash. the only problem with this is that if it is too hot in your house. we have a/c so it works out well. he is doing pretty well at night with not sleeping in a swaddle, but he still can't manage durring the day for a nap. with swaddle 2-3 hour nap, no swaddle 20 mins and LOTS of crying thru the day. my mom says that i am going to have to get a sleeping bag to swaddle him soon as he is getting so big! i don't know about the jostling, i know any kind of movement helps with my 4 mo DS. he is a very very very tough baby, a happy baby if you are holding him, miserable if you are not.

BabyLuv · 07-24-2005, 04:56 PM

My babies only wanted to be swaddled for a couple of weeks or so. I bought all the cute ones, the ones with Mickey Mouse, Baby Loony Tunes. I had so many receiving blankets, I didn't use half of them.

I noticed they really didn't enjoy being swaddled,but like you, I thought it made them feel protected. Most babies are fine without it. I don't know too many that can hit themselves in the head (unless you have Superman's baby, then maybe).

I think you can calm a baby down a better way than jostling. I always sat my babies on my lap (with the head against my chest). I felt safer that their head was stable. You can't be too caution with the cuties. I hoped I helped some.

2fst · 07-25-2005, 09:45 AM

Ds slept in this swaddling blanket the one night but the next morning he was all smiles as I took it off. And immediately he put his hands up by his face. I couldn't believe how happy he was to get it off. Made me feel real bad. So last night we skipped it. He was up in 3 hours, when normally he can do 4 to 5. So DH told him he was going back in the blanket. This morning as I took it off DS was all smiles again and he took his hands and stretched them over his head. I almost wanted to cry but being in this thing does help him sleep. He is a real flailer and does manage to knock himself good in the head with his fists, especially if he gets crying. DS is a real toughy because he breaks out of every swaddling blanket we have except this one. He will bring his shoulders foward and his hand up as much as he can and then lay real still and then all of a sudden he pushes out with his arms with all his strength and then out those little arms come!!