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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To wonder what the cons of swaddling are?

42 replies

BobbysBeardOfWonder · 16/08/2012 14:02

Just tried this for DS's nap today as he was flailing around & yowling. He's still sleeping over an hour later (would normally be awake by now).
I know it's not a new thing, but what is the modern wisdom on swaddling? Safe? Good sleeping habit? Etc

OP posts:
GlaikitFizzog · 16/08/2012 14:03

Every baby is different, my ds hated being swaddled and would fight fight fight to get out. Where as my friends dd would only sleep while swaddled.

Each to their own.

WorraLiberty · 16/08/2012 14:04

I'd say it's far too hot at the moment

But what do I know....my youngest is nearly 10.

BBwolefs · 16/08/2012 14:05

Swaddled DS1, he was always a brill sleeper which i attributed to swaddling. Will swaddle DS2, only downsides for me are... Temp Regulation(more so
When hot than cold), nappy changes (Unswaddling always annoyed ds) and eventual settling without swaddling. None of which are insurmountable

WilsonFrickett · 16/08/2012 14:07

DS7 was swaddled, I had a variety of different thicknesses of things to try and help with the temp issues. And then moved him into a baby sleeping bag when he was a bit bigger which was the nearest thing I could find.

CouthyMow · 16/08/2012 14:07

When hot weather, I always took all clothes off but vest, and swaddled with a thin cloth type blanket, rather than something thick.

First 3 DC's loved being swaddled, and slept much better when swaddled, DS2 until he was 2.5yo!!

DS3 on the other hand HATED being swaddled.

justjoiningtosaythis · 16/08/2012 14:08

sorry no advice but in exactly same position, tried swaddling for first time today (just his lower body so arms are out) and he is still sleeping now fingers x rather than waking up after 20m like usual. i was worried it was too late to start but it seems to be working fine - he is 9wks, how old is yr DS?

CouthyMow · 16/08/2012 14:08

Nappy changes - just untucked the bottom bit and change, then tuck it back in when done!

Pseudo341 · 16/08/2012 14:12

Obviously watch for overheating, we often have a fan on for DD, and definitely nothing over the head (I've seen swaddling blankets that have a hood, awful idea). Otherwise the only problem I can think of is trying to redo the swaddling after a bad nappy at 3am when you're absolutely knackered.

StealthPolarBear · 16/08/2012 14:13

Swaddling is not recommended for a huge list of cons! Will try to find a link

StealthPolarBear · 16/08/2012 14:16

Ah sorry it was http://www.rcm.org.uk/college/about/media-centre/press-releases/midwives-voice-swaddling-concerns-12-3-2012/ this I read, not nhs guidance. Knew is seen something recently.

StealthPolarBear · 16/08/2012 14:16

link

Original poster
BobbysBeardOfWonder · 16/08/2012 15:10

DS is 3 months. It wasn't a very tight swaddle, he could shift his arms a little but not enough to flail. Smile
Thanks for the link, I did have some niggles in the back of my mind. Further reading needed!

OP posts:
Tee2072 · 16/08/2012 15:13

That's interesting Stealth since people have been swaddling their babies for, literally, centuries!

Not that it pertains for me as my son is 3 and waay past the swaddling stage!

maddening · 16/08/2012 15:13

check out woombies - they do a summer swaddle and are brill :-) - avoids over heating and blankets over face as it is a thin "pod" type thing that zipsup the front so addresses the sids risk

PenelopePipPop · 16/08/2012 15:15

Oh flipping heck - when I had my DD in 2010 it was the MWs in hospital who taught me to swaddle her to reduce the risk of cot death. She hated it and I felt guilty about the fact I never did it because she just wriggled and cried whenever I tried.

maddening · 16/08/2012 15:15

woombie.com/the_summer_woombie.html

lo can also move arms within the swaddle whilst avoiding the flailing :-)

McKayz · 16/08/2012 15:15

I swaddle DD who is 8 weeks old. She sleeps much better when swaddled as she can't wave her arms and legs about. I do worry a little about the heat but she's in just a vest and its a thin swaddle blanket.

maddening · 16/08/2012 15:15

woombie.com/the_summer_woombie.html

StealthPolarBear · 16/08/2012 15:16

Yes, its certainly counter to what I thought. anyway, just to make clear this is not guidance as I originally thought, but an article on the rcm

Rollersara · 16/08/2012 15:17

I was very keen, recommended by midwife and NCT class, bought 3, DD hated it! I'm not sure there are many cons as such, just babies with different preferences.

lighthousekeeping · 16/08/2012 15:17

I don't know anyone whos baby has liked been so restricted. I'm not a fan in this weather.

ArielThePiraticalMermaid · 16/08/2012 15:17

Not hot here

PenelopePipPop · 16/08/2012 15:23

Ariel not irrelevant at all. I bet it is hot in that London and it is all them Londoners who just assume that the rest of the country just copies their weather. Well here's the thing that Londoners - we don't so ner!

Is pissing it down and about 12 degrees here. I quite fancy being swaddled myself.

ArielThePiraticalMermaid · 16/08/2012 15:31
Grin
BartletForTeamGB · 16/08/2012 15:37

DS definitely slept better for the first 8 weeks when swaddled, but I just used a thin cot sheet so he didn't overheat.