the power of the swaddle

spritz

Dd fought the swaddle when she was born, and for a while she slept better at night not swaddled.  However, at some point that changed, and I started swaddling her again at night.  It has made all the difference.  Then, in the past week, she hasn't been sleeping well during the day, and the only time she will sleep is when she is held.  Last night she was so fussy, but yawning and fighting sleep, so I decided to swaddle her, and she took a great nap.  This morning, the same thing happened, and once again I swaddled her and was able to put her down when she was almost asleep, and she has been asleep for over an hour.  I am loving the swaddle!  (although I only intend to use it for naps and nighttime)  I am a little concerned, though, because she's 5 weeks old.  I feel like I'm a little late onto this train.  When is she too old to swaddle?   

momofmanyinthemitten

It's never too late to swaddle. LO is nearly 11wks and still sleeps better swaddled. Until she can get her fingers in her mouth for soothing without hitting herself, we'll continue to swaddle.

Hyfagal

We have swaddled Ellie since birth because she has what we call Kung Fu arms when she's sleeping. She starts swinging them around really fast and hard to keep herself awake and hits her own face and cries.

In the past week though she's been going down easier so I've tried two nights and so far she does great. If I can hold her through the Kung Fu phase and get her really drowsy she'll put her hands up over her head and sleep the rest of the night.

jaxxx15

Swaddles made a huge difference in DS's sleep.  This morning I actually watched The Happiest Baby as a review/reference and on there it says they can be swaddled to 3 months if not longer.  It depends on the kid.  It says to wean them off by trying one arm out..if sleep is off, go back to arm in.