Swaddling...how long?

mbt385 · July 2015

How long did you swaddle LO at night? DD has slept 6-8 hours through the night for about 5 weeks. Last night we let her sleep in regular PJs and she was up 3 times. She's 10wks old and I'm debating whether to continue swaddling, trying a different swaddle that allows some movement (Zipadee-Zip?), or just powering through the transition to regular PJs and multiple wake-ups during the night... Any advice would be appreciated! Thanks!

HeatherC21 · July 2015

I just bought a new ergo swaddle for DD and was super excited to try it but she is on the verge of rolling over so I guess no swaddle for us.
I would try unswaddled for a few days and see what happens. If it's still an issue with waking several times then keep swaddling.

vballgirl78 · July 2015

I still swaddle DS and he typically sleeps 9 hours at night. Our pediatrician said he can be swaddled until he is able to roll over (or is close to it). With my DD (she's 3 1/2) now we transitioned slowly out of the swaddle. We used the Swaddle Me Sacks and started by leaving just 1 arm out for a few nights until she slept through the night and then both arms out. If I remember correctly, once she could sleep through the night with both arms out and not wake up we just took it away and she did fine. I'm not sure when I plan to start all this with DS as he hasn't started even trying to roll over but I'm pretty sure I'll start with just one arm out and go from there (since he often works one arm out anyway). Good luck!

justkeeptrying · July 2015

I know people who still swaddle until their baby was 5 or 6 months old. I think it's safe to swaddle until they can roll over. And then I'm pretty sure you can use a sleep sack which isn't a swaddle but still helps. My nephew stopped wearing his sleep sack I think when he was 2 years old and finally started to wear just pjs.

I will likely keep swaddling DS until he can roll over. He is rolling from tummy to back but sleeps on his back. So until he rolls from back to tummy we are good.

mbt385 · July 2015

Thank you all for your input! We'll keep swaddling (in some capacity) for now since she's not rolling over yet. We have some new Halo sleep sacks, so they might be good for transitioning! Thank you again!!

supersarah77 · July 2015

That's exactly what we did with DD and plan to do with DS. Swaddled until he can roll over, then Halo sleep sacks.

ltcamacho · July 2015

I plan on swaddling until she can roll over, then transition to sleep sacks or zipadeezips. LO loves her swaddle!

danibonello · July 2015

vballgirl78 said:
I still swaddle DS and he typically sleeps 9 hours at night. Our pediatrician said he can be swaddled until he is able to roll over (or is close to it). With my DD (she's 3 1/2) now we transitioned slowly out of the swaddle. We used the Swaddle Me Sacks and started by leaving just 1 arm out for a few nights until she slept through the night and then both arms out. If I remember correctly, once she could sleep through the night with both arms out and not wake up we just took it away and she did fine. I'm not sure when I plan to start all this with DS as he hasn't started even trying to roll over but I'm pretty sure I'll start with just one arm out and go from there (since he often works one arm out anyway). Good luck!

This is such a good idea for transitioning! Thanks for sharing!

agilber3 · July 2015

We mostly swaddled until he was 6 weeks and then he started turning to the side so I freaked out he was going to roll over. Now we just use a sleep sak for warmth but he is sleeping great in just a sleeper or a onesie underneath the sleeper if it's too cool. He's a kicker though so he gets a little constrained in a swaddle! And he has had arms out since day 2 lol

mars8k · July 2015

Why are you trying to stop swaddling? I plan to go as long as she will let me, the longest i've heard babies being swaddled is 9 months and i'm fine with that. I actually feel she's safer that way, when she kicks her arms and feet she moves a little and i keep worrying about her + it's a safe way to keep her warm

Mari621 · July 2015

I'm getting a merlin's magic sleepsuit.they kind of look like a starfish when they're in it. Suppose to be awesome. They still cozy but softens their reflexes

mbt385 · July 2015

I love the swaddle and it worked wonders for LO! I just wasn't sure when to let her sleep without one, so we tried it. Not for us, yet. I'm sticking with the Swaddle Me for now, then the Halo, until we're ready to go without them at some point.

erin79 · July 2015

I've read that you should stop somewhere around 14 weeks, because that's when they start to learn to roll over.

I remember being terrified to stop the swaddle with my first, because he was such a great sleeper. I don't remember exactly how well or badly it went, but since I can't remember it couldn't have been that bad! I think we had a couple nights where he was up more than usual, but then he went back to normal.

blairdavis99 · July 2015

Went to pediatrician for 3 mo check up today (I have preemies so we have a few extra appts) and the Dr told me the AAP recommends you stop swaddling after 2 months....what?!? We are sooooo not ready to be done swaddling over here. They are nowhere near rolling over.

rae430 · July 2015

Mari621 said:
I'm getting a merlin's magic sleepsuit.they kind of look like a starfish when they're in it. Suppose to be awesome. They still cozy but softens their reflexes

I just bought this and DS LOVES it. He broke out of every swaddle we put him in so it was time to move on to a transitional swaddle...

jtay85 · July 2015

I stopped swaddling after a few weeks, but I also live in Florida where it's a million degrees outside. I put my LO in footed pj's and in the crib he goes. He is a fidgety sleeper, and was never a fan of having him arms or legs confined. He sleeps 4-5 hour stretches during the night. Give it a few nights. Your LO will get used to no swaddle.

DMEL · July 2015

rae430 said:

Mari621 said:
I'm getting a merlin's magic sleepsuit.they kind of look like a starfish when they're in it. Suppose to be awesome. They still cozy but softens their reflexes
I just bought this and DS LOVES it. He broke out of every swaddle we put him in so it was time to move on to a transitional swaddle...

I returned mine bc it was impossible to get the baby on it.... Were you able to get your LO in easily? I'm not quite sure what to expect with Merlin. Any pointers are much appreciated!!!!!

rae430 · July 2015

DMEL said:

rae430 said:

Mari621 said:
I'm getting a merlin's magic sleepsuit.they kind of look like a starfish when they're in it. Suppose to be awesome. They still cozy but softens their reflexes
I just bought this and DS LOVES it. He broke out of every swaddle we put him in so it was time to move on to a transitional swaddle...
I returned mine bc it was impossible to get the baby on it.... Were you able to get your LO in easily? I'm not quite sure what to expect with Merlin. Any pointers are much appreciated!!!!!

It can be hard when his arms are bent, but I usually just get him to relax his arms and then gently put them in the arm holes. He usually straightens his arms out himself and ends up with his hands out of the holes.

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