Community› The Bump Local Boards› Hawaii Babies
Hawaii Babies
New Discussion

unswaddling = FAIL (kind of long, sorry)

redshoegirlredshoegirl member
in Hawaii Babies

Well, sort of a fail.

Will and Dash are starting to strain pretty hard against their Miracle Blankets so I think that they're developmentally ready to be unswaddled. We decided to try the gradual approach (leave one arm out for a week, then the other, etc.) because I strongly suspect that swaddling has become a sleep cue for them and I didn't want to suddenly yank that away.

We first tried about 2 weeks ago and it was a disaster, so we said OK, they're not quite ready and put it off for a while. We stared trying again over the weekend, and the first two nights went fine - they fussed a bit when going to sleep but eventually settled down, and they woke up a little earlier than normal (6am instead of 7am) but that was OK.

But last night was a big fat FAIL, and I don't know what to do about it. It's winter here right now and although the two previous nights were relatively warm (about 7C), last night was a bit more typical - around freezing, sometimes below. I've mentioned before that most Aussie homes (including ours) don't have central heating - however, we do have a heater in their room and it was on the highest setting, plus they were dressed in their warmest pajamas.

Anyway, last night they woke up numerous times, and at about 4.30am I held Dash's hand to try to settle him and finally realized what was happening - the poor little man's hand was FREEZING. I don't blame him for fussing - even though their room was warmer than ours (it felt relatively warm to me whenever I went in their room so it hadn't occurred to me earlier that it was a problem), I wouldn't have wanted my arm outside my covers if my hand was getting that cold either!

So tonight we're back to having them fully swaddled, just to keep them warm enough...and now I don't know what to do. As I said before, I think they're ready to be unswaddled but I don't see how we can successfully accomplish this during the winter. It might be OK on some nights but definitely not on others, so we can't get any kind of consistency (which as well all know is incredibly important for any new routine). The only option I can see is waiting until it warms up a bit - maybe another 3 weeks? - but I hate to do that since they seem to be ready.

Thoughts? Ideas? Tips? 

Report Reply to Post

Re: unswaddling = FAIL (kind of long, sorry)

  • Daynalm808Daynalm808
    Maybe you could try a "Woombie" for them.  These swaddling sacks are great!  My Jaycob loves his.  It keeps him feeling safe and cozy, while allowing him to move his arms and legs.  They are a little pricey, but I think they are sooooo worth it.  He settles down faster and sleeps through the night more often.  Plus they come with different designs like with legs, convertible, etc.  Good luck!
    Report Reply
  • Loading the player...
  • redshoegirlredshoegirl member

    imageDaynalm808:
    Maybe you could try a "Woombie" for them.  These swaddling sacks are great!  My Jaycob loves his.  It keeps him feeling safe and cozy, while allowing him to move his arms and legs.  They are a little pricey, but I think they are sooooo worth it.  He settles down faster and sleeps through the night more often.  Plus they come with different designs like with legs, convertible, etc.  Good luck!

    We use these during the day for naps! I love them!

    We did try using them at night, but apparently Dash moves his head around way more (and a lot harder) at night than during the day - he managed to hook his chin under the velcro tab and lift it up, giving himself really nasty scrapes on his cheek/neck two nights in a row. Sad I wish they made them with snaps instead, because if they did we'd totally use them. Although I could always just sew my own on...

    Report Reply
  • MauiWedding08MauiWedding08

    that is too bad, but I don't think it's a big deal if you keep swaddling.  It doesn't seem to be inhibiting sleep (like they consistently wake themselves trying to break out) so I would just do it for warmth.  We were thinking about going camping a few weekends ago and I had planned to bring Jack's swaddle sleep sack thing even though he hasn't been swaddled for ages just as a warmth tool - it was really the only thing I could think of b/c at his age if I put something on his hands (I was thinking socks) he would just suck on them and then wet = cold so that wouldn't help anything.

    So.... I guess just keep doing what works to keep them warm :)  by next winter they should be able to regulate their body temp. more I would think so just worry about getting through the next few weeks.

    Report Reply
  • Married2MrWrightMarried2MrWright member
    we're still swaddling Libby most if the time...otherwise she flails and wakes herself up!  She outgrew her MBs around 8 weeks and even now usually breaks her swaddle, but by them she's in a deep sleep and not flailing her arms.  She was also getting cold arms/hands when we tried to go w/out back in late March.
    image
    TTC/PG Blog | Mommy Blog
    Lilypie Second Birthday tickers

    Lilypie Pregnancy tickers
    Report Reply
  • MrsZizMrsZiz member
    what about putting socks on their hands? I know it sounds crazy but pp always put those little hand things on babies and really they suck. When I worked in the nursery we would put socks on their hands because the elastic band is a little tighter than the hand mitts and stays on better. Like I said, seems crazy but may be worth a try. 

    B hated the swaddle so we did it for maybe a couple of days and she screamed bloody murder. Once we'd unswaddle she'd be happy again, settle and fall asleep...
     
    Oh the joys of motherhood! Smile 
    Report Reply
  • redshoegirlredshoegirl member
    imageMrsZiz:
    what about putting socks on their hands? I know it sounds crazy but pp always put those little hand things on babies and really they suck. When I worked in the nursery we would put socks on their hands because the elastic band is a little tighter than the hand mitts and stays on better. Like I said, seems crazy but may be worth a try. 

    B hated the swaddle so we did it for maybe a couple of days and she screamed bloody murder. Once we'd unswaddle she'd be happy again, settle and fall asleep...
     
    Oh the joys of motherhood! Smile 

    I thought of this, but they're REALLY into hand sucking right now, so I was worried that best case scenario they'd end up with cold wet hands, and worst case scenario they could pull the sock off and choke on it (yeah I know the odds are like nil, but I'm a worrywart lol). They have some longsleeved sleepers that have little flaps you can turn over to cover their hands but they haaaate those...I was thinking of giving them a try though.

    Report Reply
  • mrspresleymrspresley

    imageredshoegirl:
    They have some longsleeved sleepers that have little flaps you can turn over to cover their hands but they haaaate those...I was thinking of giving them a try though.

    i would try those and see if get used to them after a little while...maybe try during the day for naps first?

    and really if their body is warm enough the hands aren't a big deal so i would make sure that you are keeping their trunks warm enough...maybe a long sleeved onesie or even footed PJs underneath a sleep sack?

    Lemon Poppyseed Muffins

    image

    Baby Birthday Ticker Ticker

    image

    Jaime & Brent
    Oahu, Hawaii | Sept. 9, 2005

    My Food Blog - Good Eats 'n Sweet Treats

    Report Reply
This discussion has been closed.
Choose Another Board
Search Boards
"
"