When should I stop swaddling?

[kwaker5]

I just read at babycentre.co.uk that you shouldn't swaddle after 4 weeks because it hinders development

Presumably they mean constant swaddling though?

Anyway, it's sometimes the only way I can get my 7 week old DD to have a decent nap if she's overtired during the day because it stops the startle reflex from waking her up. Can I just continue doing this for as long as it works? It's a godsend after having a DS who would just scream and scream when overtired!

i swaddled DS for naps until he was around 4 months

the moro reflex - the thing which makes them fling their arms around and then wakes them up doesn't start to calm until around 12 weeks IIRC

i wouldn't worry about hindering development

I think they must mean constant swaddling, not just for sleep. I swaddled DD until 5-6 months and she seems fine!

It wasn't hard to stop either.

OK, that's good to know!

I swaddled DD at sleeptime from 3 months (the relief on her face was extraordinary) until about 7 months, and stopping was no bother.

She still asks for it (or a version of it) sometimes now at age 6!

I swaddled all of mine to sleep as long as possible, DS1 the longest - at least 10 months. If development is a concern he has just won scholarships to secondary school. I think they must mean constant swaddling, not culturally a British thing, I guess.