We have swaddled DS since day one. I usually use a receiving blanket, but I also have several swaddles. Tonight I have been reading a lot about how well LOs are sleeping when their hands are tucked. So I am wondering if I am doing it properly. When DS was in the NICU and PCN, they swaddled with his hands free, which is what we have been doing; but it seems like most of you tuck the hands and that gets yout LOs to sleep longer?! We are lucky to get a 4 hour stretch at night! Please tell me I haven't wasted a full nights sleep all this time because of the way DS is swaddled!
Re: Feels like I missed the swaddle memo...!
I'd give the hands in swaddle a try. If he sleeps longer, then the swaddled helped or it was coincidence. If not, he's just not ready to sleep longer yet.
DD sleeps much longer with her arms in, or even just one arm in. With both arms out she flails and wakes herself up.
I've always swaddled with her arms down at her sides. If her arms/hands aren't tucked away securely, she will wake herself up. When she gets all swaddled up like that, it is her cue that it is bedtime. She typically goes right to sleep, and has been sleeping 6-10 hours (6ish early on, 10ish now) straight since about a week old.
I agree with the previous poster - try it and compare the results to what you normally experience. If it helps, keep on doing it!
Good luck...
SAIFW
This for us too - we used to keep her hands out, but then tried in with a SwaddleMe blanket and BAM she slept much longer and a lot more sound. Her naps she wakes herself up. I think it really makes a difference if your LO moves their arms or is a grabber. Mine grabs her long hair and pulls...waking her up screaming a lot. Not fun!