Flailing in Crib

Gabe&Dana

Last night was the first attempt to get DD to sleep in her crib. She has been between the bouncer, swing and car seat prior to this. She did great, but it takes her FOREVER to fall asleep because of her flailing arms. She literally claws at her face/eyes when she is sleepy and even more so when she is trying to put herself to sleep. No crying, just clawing.?

We have tried swaddling but she screams until we pull her arms out. Does the clawing/flailing ever end? Or should I just keep trying to get her swaddled? TIA!?

Garnetbaby09

The flailing happens around 4-5 wks and continues b/c she's getting used to her arms.  The ONLY thing that helped DD was swaddling.  And she screams a little at first too.  After a min she stops...  If she is clawing her face have you put the hand mittens on her or used the sleeps with the hand cuffs on the sleeves?

laur1120

uh yeah my DD still does that and she is almost 5 months... Hence she is still swaddled to sleep but she loves it.  Even if I'm holding her she does the clawing so if I pin her arm down she immediately calms down and goes to sleep- it's so weird!! I'm hoping she will outgrow this habit at some point!!!!

The only other thing I could suggest is having her hold your fingers instead of letting them flail.... Or you could keep trying with the swaddle.  GL!!!

Gabe&Dana

I forgot about the hand cuffs on her onsies! Perfect! I need to keep trying the swaddle, I really think she would sleep better. ? ?