My 3 week old son seems to sleep much better at night when he is swaddled, but I feel like its so constricting. How long is it healthy to swaddle a baby?
My baby is almost 7 months old and still likes to be swaddled. She's such a cozy "package" when I put her down! She sleeps better when swaddled so I see no reason to stop till she gets too big for the blanket.
our oldest was swaddled till he was 6 mo and our youngest till he was 5 months they both loved it although we did have to get creative to keep them from wiggling free. we love the miracle blanket it truly is a miracle.
If he likes it, there is no harm in it! As long as it's not TOO tight, there should be no problem. We only stopped when our daughter "let us know" she didn't like it anymore (she would squirm like crazy till the blanket came undone).
Your baby will let you know when they don't want to be swaddled anymore. My first son liked it until he was 6 months. My second son was done with it after 2.5 months! He would do everything in his power to get out of it and groan an grunt until he was out. Once he was out and could put his arms in the "stick em up" position he was happy. My first son would have stayed swaddled as long as he could but he just grew to big for the standard swaddlers. Good luck and remember they just came out of a nice cozy tight secure place and they like to feel that way until they get used to their new world. Some babies do this quicker than others and no way is the "right way"... trust your instinct and follow your baby's lead. :)
Hi G.,
Swaddling looks constricting but the baby is comforted more than he looks to be. They like the snuggly feeling, it's just the way it was in the womb. In fact, if your baby is crying a lot and you can't calm him down, hold his hands and arms gently to his chest and this should help calm him down. It gives them a feeling of scurity and calmness like they had in the womb as well.
I stopped swaddling my babies once they started kicking out of the swaddle. Give it a couple or few months, your son will be fine and he'll let you know when he doesn't want to be swaddled anymore.
-Char
Hi G., I have never heard any specific age to stop swaddling and don't remember the PED ever saying to stop. I think your baby is very young and still enjoys being snug like when he was in his isolated home 3.5 weeks ago. If I remember correctly, my little girl eventually just kicked her way out of it.
My pediatrician (who does not have children, by the way) told me she recommends swaddling until they are six months old. I think that's because they start flipping over at around six months. But we stopped swaddling my daughter at three months. I agree with Nicole H, you'll know if your kid likes it or not. I woke up one time to find my daughter had wriggled out of her swaddling blanket and footie pajama bottoms, and was laying in the bassinet right next to me in nothing but her pajama top and diaper! When I told this story, people laughed and said what a little houdini. So we stopped swaddling her shortly after that - she just didn't like it. If your baby is struggling to get out of it every night, he doesn't like it.
Swaddling a baby does no real harm. Your baby will let you know when they are done with it! Some people, as adults, still like sleeping rolled in a blanket...it doesn't hurt!
Swaddling a new born baby is recommended. It makes them feel comforted like the womb. In fact, many Dr's say it is only right to swaddle them. I think the recommended age to stop is 4 months because once they are mobile and can turn over you don't want them swaddled (at least that is what a few doctors have told us).
Ps they don't feel constricted. We have a 4th month old who we are weaning off the swaddle.
Good Luck!!!
I didn't read all of your responses but my Ped told us to stop at 6-8 weeks, however the only way he would sleep at all was swaddled so we continued until he was around 4 months. Dr. Karp (happiest baby on the block book/dvd) reccomends swaddling for the first 3-4 months. We stopped only b/c he started rolling, it took him about 10 days to really get used to not being swaddled but now he is doing much better.
Swaddling reminds them of being so close and comfy in the womb. It seems constricting because as adults we need our freedom however for infants it is very comforting. I believe that it is ok for at least for first 3 to 5 months - call your dr. and ask about that just to make sure. Congratualtions on your new bundle of joy!
