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Original poster

swaddling, dangerous or not?????

37 replies

mandy1978 · 09/02/2011 10:33

my second baby on its way (5 days to go!) and i am confused about whether to swaddle or not. last time i started and then a midwife said it increased the chance of cot death. a week later a different mw said it reduced it!!!

this time i bought a swaddle ready to give it a try and then my midwife said it was dangerous...

i am so confused with conflcting info, anyone know any more than me????

xxxxxx

OP posts:

Are your children’s vaccines up to date?

Set a reminder

caramelcoffeelover · 09/02/2011 10:37

My mother always swaddled me when I was little and I swaddled by daughter too, nearly up until she was 6 months old. She just wouldn't sleep otherwise. I'd say see if your baby needs it and if he/she does then go for it and make sure they are always on their back. As long as you are close to where they are sleeping nothing bad should happen to them. I am pregnant with my second and will definitely be swaddling again!

RuthChan · 09/02/2011 10:39

I didn't swaddle DD, but did swaddle DS. It really helped him to sleep and I wish I'd tried it with DD too.
I don't think it's dangerous.
When done properly, the swaddling can't come up near the baby's face and all it does is constrict their movement.
Try it and see if it suits you and your baby.

Tangle · 09/02/2011 10:56

This is the page on swaddling from FSID.

From a quick look, it seems that there isn't really a definitive answer. Different studies have come to different conclusions - some find swaddling reduces SIDS, some that it increases SIDS. The current interpretation seems to be that swaddling, per se, may not be the deciding factor but more how swaddling is handled (in one study, babies were more at risk of SIDS if swaddled - but only if they weren't swaddled regularly). There is a suggestion that swaddling increases the risk of SIDS as the deeeper, prolonged sleep it encourages increases the risk of SIDS. There is a suggestion that swaddling decreases the risk of SIDS as, if the baby settles well on their backs swaddled, the parents are less likely to put them on the fronts to sleep in desperation. Plus plenty more arguments in both directions.

So the answer seems to be that both MW's could be right as there is research to support both positions.

Which is absolutely no use whatsoever to parents trying to do there best The information is confusing and there doesn't seem to be a clear answer. Sorry :(

LadyOfTheFlowers · 09/02/2011 11:01

As long as you do it properly and be sure the baby does not overheat I believe it's fine.

Put it this way - with a proper swaddle whatsit from Mothercare or wherever all of my 4 have been fine, even on a couple of occaisions slept all night like it when I was completely exhausted and fell asleep forgetting to unwrap them.

Babies have been swaddled since the very beginning and before too long we will be told not to take them out bloody side.

(Not ranting at you btw! Just ranting at whoever it is that decides everyhting is dangerous - as if we don't have enough to worry about!)

Tangle · 09/02/2011 11:18

Overheating is a possible risk of swaddling if you don't take care and make sure baby isn't too hot.

Suffocating is a possible risk of swaddling if you don't take care and make sure cloth can't cover their face.

Inability to move is a possible risk of swaddling (especially if you swaddle an place baby on their stomach, although hopefully there's enough information out there that this doesn't happen too much - but one study seemed to find a higher risk in this situation so maybe it does!).

Being in a deeper sleep and less responsive to external cues is a possible risk of swaddling.

Swaddling occasionaly is possibly of higher risk than swaddling regularly and from birth.

In cultures where swaddling is common practice the risk of SIDS is very low - which suggests that swaddling is not a big risk factor for SIDS when done within the other standard practices of that culture.

Studies done in Western cultures have, in some instances, found a link between swaddling and an increase in SIDS cases. That doesn't make it a causative link, but there does seem to be a link. How does ignoring the research make things safer?

LadyOfTheFlowers - I'm glad swaddling worked for you and that all 4 of your children are fine. But a population of 4 is not statistically meaningful and shows nothing about the safety of swaddling.

Yes, as parents we have masses to worry about. Whatever we do, whatever choices we make - they all come with risks and benefits attached. All children are different, all families are different so there is no single right answer that works for everyone. All we can do is make the best choices for us, and try to find the risk/benefit profile that we are most comfortable with.

Original poster

mandy1978 · 09/02/2011 11:31

bluddy hell, thanks ladies!!!! i do tend to be of the 'trust your instincts' and relax school of parenting but it is so confusing at times.

i have bought a mothercare swaddling blanket and depending on how bubs is when she (??) arrives will go with my instnct. so many friends have had positive experiences... i predict many sleepless nights from me where i shout 'check the baby is she ok!!!!!' ad nauseum at my dh..

baby number 1 was a pretty good sleeper, i choose not to from terror of something going wrong in the night.

the parental worries are creeping in, i forgot how scarynewborns are, they are soooo fragile!!!!

you can worry yourself mad with all the differing opinions...

thanks ladies will do some more research and then i guess get on with things without trying to worry.

xxx

OP posts:

LadyOfTheFlowers · 09/02/2011 11:38

I thought I might recieve a dressing down, I was just sharing my experience.
Sorry, you are right.
I don't think the majority of people have problems with swaddling their babies when it is done correctly.

Original poster

mandy1978 · 09/02/2011 11:39

no, i appreciate yr opinion loflowers.. experience with 4 children does give you valid info, so thank you!

OP posts:

LadyGoneGaga · 09/02/2011 13:17

My baby hated swaddling in any case - he hated the feeling of being restricted. So maybe not something you can plan for in any case til they are here.

girlfromdownsouth · 09/02/2011 13:22

My mum swaddled my sister - she wouldn't sleep unless she was swaddled (but then she was about 6 wks prem). She tried swaddling me but I screamed blue murder.

I tried swaddling DD but she didn't like it, tried again with DS and he loved it. But this shows in their characters even now (8&6) DD is very independent and always has to do things her way and DS is still very affectionate and cuddly.

As long as you do it in a safe way, I don't think it's a problem.

TheVisitor · 09/02/2011 13:23

All 4 of my children were swaddled. It reduces the startle reflex which can wake a baby or interrupt feeding. We used to call the kids our little maggots. Incidentally, SCBU swaddled my babies too. It is a case of just ensuring that your baby doesn't get too hot.

Original poster

mandy1978 · 09/02/2011 13:59

thank you for all your advice, i think i am going to give t go. we live in a flat and the temp is monitored on thermostat. we like it cool so it should be ok!!!

my ds was born during a hot summer so i would have been worried for that reason as well.

right, i am armed and ready!!!!

bring on the maggot

xxxx

OP posts:

Scouseem · 09/02/2011 16:45

Everything they tell you not to do is crazy. My DD was in hospital for first 2months of her life and the hospital basically do the opposite to the rules. I think its all a lot of common sense and do what you feel is best for your baby. I couldn't of coped not swaddling my DS he loved it.
Good luck with your new baby and hope baby is nice and gentle to you in labour :) x

CalaLilly · 09/02/2011 20:52

I'm a SCBU nurse and have weighed up the pros and cons and come to the personal decision that I will swaddle my baby from birth if he or she likes it. The most important thing (aside from always lying them on their back which is a given) is making sure you use an appropriate thickness of wrap for the season. I've bought one of these for when baby is newborn in April:
www.kiddicare.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/ProductDisplay?storeId=10001&catalogId=10751&langId=-1&productId=110891&source=froogle&cm_mmc=Froogle--Shopping%20Sites--CPC-_-Froogle (I paid half of this off ebay for a new wrap that included P+P)

And plan on getting some of these for the summer months:
www.bigmuz.com/

CalaLilly · 09/02/2011 21:06

ps. SCBUs do the opposite to positioning rules because the babies are always monitored so you know instantly if their heart rate or oxygen saturation level dips or they stop breathing. Plus for the teenie babies who are learning to expand their lungs for the first time whilst absorbing feeds, it's actually better for them to be put on their tummies! Once babies are off monitoring and getting ready for home on SCBU they should then only be placed on their back with feet to the foot of their bed with only blankets covering them- unless the parents have indicated a strong preference for swaddling

chocolatchaud · 09/02/2011 21:10

Mine were all swaddled after birth by MWs at the hospital, so I guessed from this that it was ok. However, I could never recreate it at home - didn't know you could buy cheaty ones!

cantmummyhaveabreak · 09/02/2011 21:13

Swaddled both DS & DD1 till about 4 wks old when they'd wriggle so much they got out of it on their own...

DD2 was a premmy, and was swaddled to around 6mo when she was still teeny tiny and did very little...

So, I think it's perfectly fine to swaddle.

clouiseg · 09/02/2011 21:13

Ooooh calalily thanks for the link! Will be buying these for DC4 due in May!

Didn't swaddle DDs 1&2 but did swaddle DD3 and she was a very settled sleeper...that said I was always careful not to leave the swaddling on during the night. Personal choice because I could monitor her more closely during the day. I think the only way forward is to present mums with all the facts and allow them to make an informed choice. Ultimately we all follow our instincts anyway!

Crawling · 09/02/2011 21:14

Mum of two here, what is swaddling?

clouiseg · 09/02/2011 21:20

Crawling its when you use either a large piece of fabric / blanket / etc to 'wrap baby up' so they are secure and their arms are all tucked in! There are designated, and imo very well designed swaddlers out there now with instructions & velcro to make it easier. They literally do resemble a little maggot (only much much cuter!) when they are swaddled! Have a quick gander at Kiddicare.com and search swaddle. x

Crawling · 09/02/2011 21:24

Clouiseg I see thanks I used to fold a sheet in a triangle and lay DS in it then fold both sides over him to feed him (he would knock my breast out overwise) with his arms held in, but I would let it undo when I put him down and put a blanket over him then.

clouiseg · 09/02/2011 21:29

Pretty much the same principle! they just tuck one arm in (fabric then tucked under other arm) then tuck the other side over the free arm...iyswim?? But the idea is the same! Its a bit of a marmite-esque area though....some love it some hate it!

Original poster

mandy1978 · 09/02/2011 21:31

oh blimey am more confused now... mine was swaddled when he was at hospitzl too thats why i went and bought one. he slept so well atfirst then a midwife was shocked i was swaddling.. i immediately threw it in the bin, fearful i could hve harmed my child..

god i still dont know what to do!!!!!

scouse thanks for the lovely words (i am too excited!!) and cala thank you for your personal professional advice also.

if its a wriggler i guess i wont but if she likes it then i will try to swaddle..

i think??/?? xx

OP posts:

OompaLumpa · 09/02/2011 21:57

calalilly what was the first kiddicare product you had decided upon? I couldn't follow the link. Thanks

Scouseem · 09/02/2011 22:15

Calalilly she wasn't in special care she was in high dependancy then a ward and wouldn't keep the monitors on half the time but they seemed to do what she was happy with and I guess your right with she was getting more monitoring then if she was at home but think they weigh it up as she's obv not happy and they would do things to make her happy and cumfy, she slept on her side from day one and only one nurse had a problem with that.
My point was that there is soo many rules and you would drive yourself crazy trying to do everything perfect and a lot of things you should just do as you feel is right and you baby is happy with. I'm not saying go out of your way to do the opposite but if you want to swaddle then do it and use common sense to check if baby if hot or not.

Mandy keep us updated :) x

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