Re: swaddling

[Guest guest]

Hi Mandy!

My son, 4 months 2 weeks also needs to be swaddled to sleep... he's

getting his DOC band next Friday. This is how we are going to wean

him off of swaddling as recommended by his pediatrician in time for

the helmet (and summer); swaddle one arm out at first and give a

comfort item. The start swaddling one arm out and looser so that if

needed second arm can escape so that baby can still practice motor

skills. Start off with daytime naps then work your way to night

time. My son is now napping with one arm out BUT napping a lot

shorter now. But sleeping wonderful at night.

My son's Moro Reflex is still super strong therefore we still

swaddle. This also means he's really alert and ANY noise wakes him.

I am sure this is the case for you as well. While the Moro Reflex is

supposed to go away by the 4th month (arms stop reaching up), we hope

it will disappear soon since it hasn't yet.

The comfort item that has worked for us is a really small, thin cloth

diaper. (It also couldn't suffocate him)

And to Rene - Are you a parent? I will assume NO... because you

would understand that parenting is not clinical and by the book.

While you are right, swaddling needs to end fairly early, if you had

a strong Moro Reflex baby, you'd know why we still have to swaddle.

How you can help is find us a solution to swaddling and/or how to

stop or control the Moro Reflex. If my son isn't going to pitch in

the Major Leagues because his arms were pinned to 4.5 months, I'm OK

with that. But if my son doesn't sleep because he's not swaddled and

isn't developing... then I'm stepping in.

Mandy - May The Force be with you!

Please let me know how your baby does and the approach you decide on.

>

> Hello Mandy,

> So sorry if these suggestions are repeats.  I weaned my son from

swaddling at age 7 mths, it was difficult!  Anyhow, we started to

leave one arm out...and after a week of little sleep he was okay.  

He would often unwrap himself and end up with both arms out some

nights. I held back from running in and rewaddling, he cried a lot

and I would sooth back to sleep.   He also craved the confinement and

would sleep close to the bumper.   I use to also roll up blankets and

tape them and put around them so he would feel secure.  After the

initial first week we let him have two arms out and he would play all

night with his lovey, and when I say all night I mean all night, he

was a zombie by day and wanted to sleep all day.  This lasted to what

seemed like forever, like 3 weeks...and frequent visits to the doc

crying for help. 

> Finally, after a month or so he is able to sleep without

swaddling.  He holds his lovey which helps with motor control, not

startling himself or staring at his arms in the air.  He goes to bed

at 7 and wakes at 9 and plays with his lovey till 11:30ish and falls

asleep for the night.  So yeah he is still exploring the freedom of

arms and hands at night as of now.  Well, good luck and try it all.  

PS he is at 7 weeks in his helmet.

>

>

>

> Re: swaddling

>

>

>

>

> When I am reading about swaddling I assume that you are referring

to how one wraps an infant in the first few months of life. There is

nothing wrong with continuing this practice other than temp control

when wearing helmet. Make sure that swaddling allows for hand to

mouth activity and supports a tucked body, leg, arm position. You can

try placing the child on his side in the corner of the crib with the

bumpers on two sides(assumign crib has bumpers). These particular

children may be craving containment for motor control.

> Walsh, RPT

>

> ________________________________

> Plan your next roadtrip with MapQuest.com: America's #1 Mapping

Site.

>