When/how to wean from swaddling - Infant Care (up to 18 months old) Message Board

Trooper · 12-09-2006, 09:12 AM

My dd is 8 weeks. When do you stop swaddling? And how do you go about doing it?

Lately she's been kicking out of the swaddle. But when we try to put her down without swaddling, she wakes herself up because her arms still fly around.

I'm not against swaddling at all and if it keeps her calm then I'll continue to do it. But I would like to see if she can sleep without being swaddled.

She has slept thru the night since 6.5 weeks (sleeping 8:30pm - 5:00am) while swaddled.

Any suggestions or personal experience would be appreciated!

2fst · 12-09-2006, 09:27 AM

DS was swaddled until he was 8 months. If he wasn't swaddled he would wake up more or wake up because his swaddle blanket became loose. It didn't hinder his develpoment in any way. We just did it until he moved so much at night that he could choke himself with the swaddle blanket from moving so much.

debating · 12-09-2006, 11:27 AM

DD is 9 months old and is swaddled anytime that I won't be laying with her while she sleeps (like at naps and for the first portion of the night).

I found the key to preventing her from kicking out of it was to get a good blanket. I find the ribbed type fabircs the best as they seem to hold on better. Otherwise I just use a bigger blanket so I can wrap it right around and then her own weight keeps in closed.

I don't think it's necessary to "wean" them, because you are encouraging it it means they aren't ready. When baby is ready to sleep unswaddled you'll know.

Trooper · 12-09-2006, 01:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by North_of_60

I don't think it's necessary to "wean" them, because you are encouraging it it means they aren't ready. When baby is ready to sleep unswaddled you'll know.

That doesn't make any sense to me. Because I'm encouraging it means they aren't ready???

Then why do we call it 'weaning from breastmilk'??? We encourage that when a child reaches a certain age don't we? All the books that I have read say to start weaning from swaddling around week 8. So why isn't it 'necessary' to wean them from swaddling. It's the same concept isn't it?

Maybe offering the signs to look for when your baby is ready to sleep unswaddled would be more helpful.

debating · 12-09-2006, 02:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trooper

That doesn't make any sense to me. Because I'm encouraging it means they aren't ready???

Exactly. If your child was ready to not be swaddled, you would know it. For example, they would hate it when you swaddle them, they would not be content when actually swaddled, and they would fight to get out of it.

If your child just happens to get loose but still enjoys being swaddled and sleeps better while swaddled, then maybe you just need to adjust your technique, or try a different blanket. I think there is actually a blanket made specifically for swaddling that Velcros shut. I can't remember the name of it though, sorry.

Quote:

Then why do we call it 'weaning from breastmilk'??? We encourage that when a child reaches a certain age don't we?

I don't. I believe in child led weaning. But that's a whole 'nother thread.

Quote:

All the books that I have read say to start weaning from swaddling around week 8.

Books are nice as a reference, but ultimately YOU are the mother, and the chances that your baby fits the ideal that the author was referring to are SLIM. Follow your child's cues, he won't lead you astray.

Quote:

So why isn't it 'necessary' to wean them from swaddling. It's the same concept isn't it?

Weaning is when WE impose a change on our children. We think, by some predetermined time, that our children should be doing [insert activity here]. I do not believe in this concept. I believe we owe it to our children to follow their cues and respect them as individuals. When they are ready to sleep unswaddled, they will. When they no longer need to nurse, they won't. When they no longer need to be held to sleep, they won't.

Trust me, your baby won't need to be swaddled in highschool.

If your baby wants to be swaddled. Swaddle him. You are not going to cause irrevocable damage by swaddling your child past the age of 8 weeks. My breastfed, co-sleeping, still swaddled, 9 month old is fiercely independent, brave, outgoing, adventurous, and loving. She has shown no impediments from having been swaddled since birth. When she no longer wants to be swaddled I won't continue to do it anymore.