anyone know about swaddling?

[Maenad]

I have a 4-week-old baby. Does anyone know if there is a limit to the amount of time she should spend swaddled? At the moment I'm just swaddling at night, but wondering whether she would be happier and less fussy being swaddled in the daytime too. But I don't know whether there are reasons not to do this?

[ChubbyDick]

I would think any time your baby is asleep (day or night) it would fine to swaddle her. As long as she is unwrapped when awake.

[hambo]

I think it is ok to swaddle until they are about 4 months old...day or night.

[Maenad]

The reason I haven't been swaddling during the daytime is that I am so at sea as regards whether and when she is likely to need to be asleep. We're not into any kind of rhythm yet really so I suppose the dividing line between swaddling a baby who will stay awake and one who is going to go to sleep feels a bit blurry! I don't want to be trying to force her to sleep if she actually wants to be awake - but she's not happily awake all that much of the time yet so I don't know what to do really...

[juuule]

No limit to the amount of time she can be swaddled for that I'm aware of.

[Lotster]

I think if you get in to a rhythm of her feeding, having a bit of a play or other activity such as nappy changing, then swaddling for a sleep, and stick to this pattern, certain sections of it will lengthen or shorten over the weeks but you will both know what comes next. Then at around 3 months you can move to a half swaddle or sleeping bag, whatever you prefer.

I did this with my son (following the Baby Whisperer's E.A.S.Y method (Eat, Activity, Sleep, You time) and it worked really well, wherever we were. I found it have to "Gina" a small baby (and have a life!).

My best ever tip for swaddling is to use a stretchy blanket, it helps to keep those wroggling arms in and also stops them feeling supported, rather than restricted by it. I discovered this because my husband accidentally packes the mingy hospital "Sunlight" blanket they have in the cots. Despite being given a couple of beautiful knitted ones, they just weren't as good! (although I can't advocate nicking fromt he NHS of course )

[Lotster]

Sorry, not sure if I was clear enough there, I meant use that rhythm all day and night. So it's less about how long eveyting should take, and more about what comes next.

Another good tip is not to let them stay awake for more than two hours.
Good luck!

[Maenad]

Thank you, that's really helpful. I've just started vaguely trying to get into that sequence of activities (though must admit I can't bring myself to abandon the practice of feeding and putting her straight into her moses basket when I put her to bed for the night!)