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Swaddling and AP question

sillybiochemistsillybiochemist
in North Dakota Babies

I've been reading the newest edition of "The Womanly Art of Breastfeeding" (8th edition I believe) and ran across a section that really confused me and made me curious what others that have either read this book or are familiar with AP techniques practiced and encouraged by the La Leche League.  Basically (as I understand it) they are discouraging swaddling a baby because it mimics the baby being held which implies that it is detrimental because the baby should just be held as much as possible instead.  

I guess what confused me is that I thought swaddling was in general accepted to help the baby comfort itself because it was similar to being in the womb or being held.  So what do people actually DO if they are pro-AP?  Is swaddling something you still consider doing (even if it's only occasionally) or is it a big no no for some people.

Just wasn't sure if other people had run across this before or what they thought.  There are useful things in this book (I'm assuming since I haven't breast fed yet) but I wasn't expecting that one.

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Re: Swaddling and AP question

  • BlondeBeachBride08BlondeBeachBride08

    I've never heard of AP having an anti-swaddle ideology. If anything I'd think making your baby feel like they are being held would be a GOOD thing.

    Obviously, hold your baby when he needs to be held but swaddling also helps to calm them and help them to sleep longer and more deeply. I'll swaddle her until she goes to college if it helps her sleep!! 

    Siggy Deleted Due to Internet Stalking. Mama to Q, born July 2010
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  • AshleysredAshleysred
    I think they mean, don't swaddle unless baby is going to nap or sleep for the night.  Swaddling shouldn't replace being held during the day for wake/play times.
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  • MrsBlayneMrsBlayne member
    imageAshleysred:
    I think they mean, don't swaddle unless baby is going to nap or sleep for the night.  Swaddling shouldn't replace being held during the day for wake/play times.

    This sounds right to me. When we swaddled, I would hold/rock her while swaddled to calm her down, then try to put her down to sleep.

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  • MelVicMelVic
    Gianna absolutely hated being swaddled and so we never did it ....so I am no help!
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  • DreamsBride411DreamsBride411 member
    I consider myself an AP mom even though I swaddle - I'm pretty sure that not all AP methods are used an accepted by all AP parents.  I didn't co-sleep (until recently) and I still considered myself an AP.    I'm pretty sure swaddling is the way to go - it's been used for hundreds of years to help babies feel comfortable and I'm sure it will be used until the end of time. 
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  • lindeenweddinglindeenwedding member

    imageAshleysred:
    I think they mean, don't swaddle unless baby is going to nap or sleep for the night.  Swaddling shouldn't replace being held during the day for wake/play times.

    This. Just do what's right for your baby and you whether it follows specific parenting philosophy or not.

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  • DreamsBride411DreamsBride411 member
    imagelindeenwedding:

    Just do what's right for your baby and you whether it follows specific parenting philosophy or not.

    Well put - this is what I was trying to say, I think.   I don't even know at this point.

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  • sillybiochemistsillybiochemist
    Thanks girls.  As silly as it sounds it just seemed to come out of nowhere with the book.  I understand not substituting swaddling when the baby actually needed to be held but it seemed like it was pushed so hard that it was difficult to see where the line was when swaddling was "acceptable' (such as for sleeping) rather than when it could be used as a useful tool.  I knew there were ladies on here that followed AP much more closely than I've ever considered it which is why I asked.  It just seemed off the wall to me which is why I wondered if it was the hormones.  Wink 
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