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How did you move from swaddling to a sleeping bag?

15 replies

WhoahThereCrazyHorse · 07/02/2013 15:56

Ds is 4 months and although he sleeps well swaddled, he wakes up really angry and wants out immediately! I'm thinking its time to get him into a sleeping bag - do I just do it, or is there a way to make the transition more gradual?

Have absolutely no idea what we did with dd, it was only 18 months ago but all a blur!!

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WillSingForCake · 07/02/2013 18:13

Try just doing it & see what happens. If he won't settle then try swaddling him a bit looser each night. Our DD had trouble adjusting to her sleeping bag, we ended up putting her in one, and then putting a Velcro thing around her arms (think it was called a SwaddleMe) which we loosened each night, until she was used to having her arms free.

ThreeBeeOneGee · 07/02/2013 18:16

We did a half-swaddle (under arms) between.

PreciousPuddleduck · 07/02/2013 19:05

We did a half swaddle too

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brainonastick · 07/02/2013 19:14

We did half swaddle. But at some point you just have to go for it, it'll be fine, especially at 4 months.

We also used to put a sheet widthways over the top of dd1 (up to her neck, not over her face obviously!), with rolled up cloths or towels pushed down the side of the mattress to keep it really tight over her, for that feeling of security.

Worked with dd1 who still doesn't move a muscle in bed, not a chance with dd2 who is as strong and mobile as the incredible hulk.

WhoahThereCrazyHorse · 07/02/2013 21:11

I bottled it!!! He's sleeping soundly (for now) fully swaddled, the fear of an extra rubbish night's sleep was just too much!! Will re-visit when feeling stronger...

Blush
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brainonastick · 08/02/2013 09:13

Maybe do it on a night when your dh/dp is on duty Wink

Rookiepth · 08/02/2013 15:22

Hi, TRY Puckababy. they have some products from swaddling to sleeping bag
www.puckababy.co.uk/

Charlieburger · 15/02/2013 13:24

Agreed with Rookiepth - I have one and they are great

WhoahThereCrazyHorse · 15/02/2013 14:40

Rookie and Charlie just looking on the website now, is it the GoGo you recommend? We've moved to a standard sleeping bag but he is still startling and his arms jerking wakes him up so I'd love something that's in between!
Thanks

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sedgieloo · 15/02/2013 15:03

Watches thread, I need a solution too.

Doitnicelyplease · 15/02/2013 15:20

Now my solution is not for everyone, we swaddled both DDs really late, so this time with DD2 she was over 7 months and it was getting silly, she needed the swaddle to sleep but she also broke out of it in the night.

We just did it cold turkey, half-swaddle did not work for us, we also timed it with sleep training, so one night we just put her in the gro-bag and to bed, we did controlled crying - in and out every 5/10/15 mins etc, going in more than this if she was loosing it.

The first night it took her 3 hrs to get to sleep, a lot of this was whinging on and off not full on crying, but since then she has been fine and sleeping so much better - I didn't want to attempt sleep training until she could self-sooth on her hands as it felt really mean. We also gave her a little blankie to cuddle.

I know this method is not for everyone but before I think I was just confusing her trying to shush/pat, rock her/ sit in her room/feed her etc. We never had a clear method for helping her to sleep.

Now she is sleeping 6.45-10.30pm (dream feed) then 10.45-7.30am (if she wakes in the night I have only had to go in once or twice to check on her) and she knows how to get back to sleep now.

We also cut up the swaddle so we would not be tempted to use it!

Her naps got shorter to start with so we went back to three short naps a day, but now they are getting longer again.

I dreaded getting rid of the swaddle but I am so relived we have done it now.

Just put up with one or two bad nights and then you will be done :)

Good luck!

Dudley01 · 15/02/2013 21:46

I tried swaddling but baby seemed too restricted, tried Puckababy Piep which is a bag without arms, but with a security belt to stop the bag from sliding around, making the my baby feel secure and after 2 -3 nights baby started to settle. Now sleeps without trashing around. No blankets to worry about !

Charlieburger · 19/02/2013 10:42

I got the go go and the Piep / Mini - the go go is great for everything but its not a swaddle type bag where as the Piep and the mini are. I really hope you find the right one! But I highly recommend this....

Rookiepth · 19/02/2013 20:08

what is really good about the Puckababyrange is that you can buy according to age. The Original is broken down into two age catagories, as is the GoGo and the bag. If moving onto the bag, go for the bag, even try the 4 seasons. fantastic garment

MissRedIndie · 19/02/2013 21:30

Woombie do a zip up swaddle pod with arm holes, it's tight over the body but you can open arm holes gradually as needed. Has been amazing at keeping DD2 swaddled whilst allowing one hand out for her to suck her thumb.

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