Stopping the swaddle

TwizzyG · September 2014

Any recommendations for stopping the swaddle? My LO is starting to routinely break out of it at 8 weeks, but I'm hesitant because I'm worried she'll start startling herself awake. I may just start using the Velcro swaddleme sacks for a bit. But, would you recommend stopping cold turkey or weaning off? Anyone have a method that worked for them?

honeybee434 · September 2014

I'm working on this right now with our LO. She was never a huge fan of the swaddle to begin with, though, so I would rather try to transition her out of it while I'm still on maternity leave instead of when I have to wake up at a specific time each day and will want every drop of sleep I can get. We use Velcro swaddles (blankets and beyond brand), so right now I still wrap her up but leave her hands free and secure the Velcro below those. My goal is to either keep her wrapped in one of those, or start using a sleep sack. The first night was really easy, but this second is a little harder because she's realizing how much she can move her arms when I put down and they're like windmills in her bassinet. She makes those things little windmills. So far I will let her squirm to her hearts desire and if she starts fussing I'll give her a pacifier or her WubbaNub and that will put her to sleep pretty quickly. I'm hoping eventually we will be good without it.

mcvgal · September 2014

We stopped cold turkey, but he sleeps in a sleep sack with sleeves. Even though his arms are out his legs are still enclosed. We did the switch at around 7 weeks and he had no problems. Not sure if it made any difference, but LO has slept in his crib from day 1. My in laws came to visit and stayed with us the 7th week. In order to fit everyone comfortably, LO slept in the RNP that week unswaddled. So the 8th week he returned to the crib unswaddled.

JayBzo · September 2014

We haven't tried this as we have a pretty good routine down and swaddling is a major part of it - I am too afraid to stir things up when we don't need to yet, however this morning he was totally out of his swaddle and it is a pretty serious swaddle. Not sure if I messed it up or hes getting to that point where it won't work anymore.

I have always read to do a one arm out wean type of thing. So one arm out for a few nights, if it works then move to two out etc until you have gotten to where LO can sleep fairly consistently without it. No experience on this, just what I have read!

atxmom1985 · September 2014

yes, had the same situation with our LO. We swaddled, then did the arms out swaddle then tried several sleep sacks until the zipadee zip finally worked the best. It keeps her cozy but also allows her to move around, which was a must since she's getting older. This phase of transitioning can be a bit tough but I assure you it will go by quickly and i hope the zippy works as good for u as it has for us!

EllaSmella · September 2014

I have been using the Aden + Anais swaddle blankets. I have just been making them a little looser so she can get her arms out a bit, but not so there's loose fabric by her face. I figure this is a good half way step to stopping the swaddle when she starts to roll.

jrinehart0 · September 2014

We stopped swaddling LO shortly after we moved her to her crib, around 3 weeks or so. A nurse told us that if a baby is tired enough, they will still startle but just fall right back asleep. That is definitely true. Constantly throughout the night she throws her arms up but then settles right back down without waking up. The first few days we swaddled her arms out. Now, she just sleeps in her pajamas. Soon when it gets cold, we will begin using a sleep sack. The first night she woke herself up a little, but got past it really quickly.

clebl24 · September 2014

My LO moves so much that he broke the swaddles and would wake with sudden body movement. He'd also feel cool at night after kicking off his swaddle blanket. We tried the swaddle sack and he seems to like it. I plan to use the sack until he starts to roll.

Aimes33m · September 2014

Has anyone used Merlin's magic sleep suit? DD has been swaddled since birth and loves it. I'm terrified of when she starts rolling and we have to get rid of the swaddle. Been looking for products that might ease the transition and had heard of this one.

BBColt78 · September 2014

We swaddle until that morrow reflex is gone, so between months three and four. We wean off too... One arm at a time:)

Nicole3&counting · September 2014

I would just follow your little ones lead. If he is breaking out unswaddle the arms to start. Your LO will tell you when he is ready.

SimpleComplexity · September 2014

I kinda stopped cold turkey. I'll still swaddle if he's not resting really though.

ghostof5letters · September 2014

Aimes33m said:

Has anyone used Merlin's magic sleep suit? DD has been swaddled since birth and loves it. I'm terrified of when she starts rolling and we have to get rid of the swaddle. Been looking for products that might ease the transition and had heard of this one.

With my DD1 we transitioned from the swaddle to the magical sleep suit when she started rolling over consistently. We loved it and ended up buying it in the larger size when she eventually grew out of the smaller one.

We'll be using it again with DD2

emy730 · September 2014

Has anyone tried the Zippity Zip? I'm thinking of buying it when DD is able to roll over.

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