To ask what the hell you do when you can no longer swaddle?

[Merryoldgoat]

Apologies for another boring AIBU but I’m exhausted.

My 7 month old was a truly phenomenal sleeper from about 1 month to 5 months. However he started rolling so we’ve had to stop swaddling.

And now he’s the worst sleeper ever. He will only sleep on someone, wriggles, kicks etc and it’s killing me. I’m utterly exhausted, have some health conditions which require rest (ha!) so they’re not getting better and my husband can’t do much overnight in the week as he’s working very long hours and it’s his very busy time at work (which will stop in November).

Please tell me there’s something that can take over from the swaddle that means I can get some reasonable sleep? I’m not looking for miracles - just one or two make ups?

I will not leave him to cry it out or so controlled crying - I’m more asking if there’s any equipment or accessories that will help.

Have you tried a baby sleeping bag? You can get them in different tog weights.

I remember those days well and they saved me!

Gro bags might help

Sorry - should’ve said sleeping bags don’t help - I think the tightness was the thing that settled him with the swaddle.

Have you tried a Sleepyhead? Might need the grand size at 7 months, depending how long your baby is. Helped mine sleep like a dreeeeam.

Sleeping bag, in a sleepyhead, with a my hummy.

I really wanted a sleepyhead but my baby is ENORMOUS - just gone into 12-18 month clothes... 😬

You need some large heavy blankets, wool ones are often heavier. And tuck them under the mattress at the sides like an old fashion bed. This gives your baby a similar sensation to being swaddled - as they will feel nice and secure and wrapped up.
If you're worried about overheating turn the radiator off in their room.

Do they do really big Sleepyheads?

Soup - that’s a great suggestion - thank you.

Yes, they do a sleepyhead grand. Check the guidance though; I think they’ve changed it to “only safe for overnight sleeping with adult supervision”, which is a bit impossible really. I adored mine with DC1, but didn’t get one for DC2 because of that/concerns of overheating (less likely now it’s getting colder of course!).

If you find a solution, will you share? I’m in the same boat, and it’s an awful leaky shitty boat!!

The lullaby trust advises against sleepyhead type things, make sure you look into it fully before going and getting one OP

Oh partypresent - it truly is one shitty boat.

It doesn’t help he’s the size of a tank so it’s actually tricky to hold him or have him on me for any length of time.

When he naps he sleeps well if I put him on a soft pillow but that’s only ok if supervised obviously - I can’t put a big fluffy pillow in his cot!

It’s the wriggly and unsettledness that’s the killer - my other son was a terrible sleeper but that was because he was a pig - up, bottle, sleep. THAT was a walk in the park compared to this.

Will do MrsStrowman - thank you.

I don't know if there is advice against this so please some one correct me if I'm wrong.
I've seen people say rolled up blankets under the sheet on either side of him can sort of mimic the idea of a sleepyhead?

Although if he's as big as you say he might just go straight over them

We did gro bags.

You can get narrow sleep bags we got one from jo jo. Also have you tried a light swaddle with a light cellular blanket. He would be able to wiggle out of it but may help him settle into a deep sleep.

My DD is almost 7 months but is quite small, she’s only 14lb now so still fits in her Moses basket (big mokke one). So she’s still in her swaddle bag thing and it’s almost impossible for her to roll completely over in her basket, however we are working in getting her out of it.
She has an ergococoon bag (they do an up to 12 month size) that has poppers on the arms, so we can release one arm at a time. Also I’ve just ordered a merlins magic sleepsuit that is apparently supposed to make them feel swaddled, but has arms etc.
Can’t say it works yet as not received (I bought second hand on eBay).
I wish we could swaddle forever! My DD is a rubbish sleeper and only now is doing 3-4hr stretches, so I’m so reluctant to get rid of the swaddle and end up with hourly wakes 😴

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