Startle reflex??

christmasgm

Does anyone else have a baby with startle reflex? My 2 month old has it really bad!! Whenever he is on his back he is constantly jerking and jumping and waking himself up! He HATES being swaddled and has ever since birth. I have tried many different swaddle blankets even those swaddle bags but..... something about him needing to have his hands free i don't knw lol! Does anyone have any suggestions on how to help him with this? Thanks in advance

greatgrandbaby7

No suggestions as I'm in the same boat! We were told in the hospital not to swaddle him so we didn't for the first few weeks. I've since tried to swaddle him some nights, particularly when he's having a really bad evening (he's colicky) but I think he isn't used to it and really fights it. The other night I woke up for his first middle of the night feeding to find that he'd gotten the swaddle blanket loose and it was up around his face which freaked me out. I've heard the Merlin Magic Sleepsuits are good but I think my LO needs to be a bit older first.

mrsrep123

Seems to have become an obstacle for naps and sleep the past couple of days. I've just stayed next to him and kept my hand over his arms and tummy until he's in a deep enough sleep. Hope this passes soon. LO is 7w4d.

analeeperez

My lil guy is 2 months and also startels a lot. He doesn't mind the swaddle but he has learn to escape it. I ordered a Zipadee-Zip sleep sack since it has a lot of good reviews. It's supposed to help with transition from swaddle to sleep sack and can help with the startle reflex.

robinluofu

You could try getting the Woombie or Merlin sleepsuit. I have the Merlin, Its very expensive, but I was desperate for sleep. Lo was sleeping around 3.5-4 hours before 9-12:30 now sleeps from around 9pm-4:30 with it. Also startles a lot at 9 weeks. Huge improvement

LacieMac

My baby also startles alot. I believe this is why she won't sleep in her crib because she is not surrounded in anything. Currently she naps in her bouncy seat and sleeps in her swing. she does not like to be swaddled either, she always wants her hands free. Like I said the seat and the swing have really helped. She will still startle in her seat but she won't wake up. If I lay her flat she startles and cannot sleep.

jerseygirl227

We have a startled baby as well.  She was sleeping in the Rock n Play and it was great; however, I believe it has contributed to her head being a bit flat, so we have started to transition her to the pack and play.  Now she is on her back with no vibration and plenty of space.  We've only been at it a few nights, but she sleeps for about four hours and that's it.  Been tough, but we're gonna keep at it.  She also hates to be swaddled, though I've found a small blanket tucked under her from the waist down seems to help.  Yes, I know there should not be any blankets, but it usually stays in place and we have the Snuza alarm for added safety.

carlyyo

I would also recommend the merlin sleep suit. My LO doesn't like to be swaddled either but loves the sleep suit and it stops her from jerking in her sleep. She sleeps 9-10 hours a night in it!

jlamb252019

I recommend the Woombie as well. My guy hates having his arms swaddled and would wrestle out of any swaddle I tried and startle himself awake. He doesn't like when I put the Woombie on, but he has been sleeping hours longer since I bought it. Last night he slept 6 hours straight for the first night in his life! Before he would be up every 2 to 3.

lizzypoo96

My LO hated swaddling at first but now loves it cause he sleeps better. Still fights it in his sleep though. We wrap him with the hospital blanket then a swaddleme over it and that's enough to hold him in place!