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Original poster

Is a swaddling blanket a necessity?

21 replies

airhostess · 12/04/2011 15:22

Hi,

I'm 28wks,first timer doing my final list. Is a swadling blanket something I should buy ready in your experience?

Kind regards

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SouthGoingZax · 12/04/2011 15:26

Airhostess,
Me again! I posted on your thread about mattresses.

We found swaddling blankets that were designed for swaddling (with pockets and velcro etc.) to be a bit hopeless, but did swaddle with the grobag stretchy jersey swaddle thing and also with some giant muslins. here

wolfhound · 12/04/2011 15:27

just swaddled using a normal blanket (or sheet in warm weather) here.

CBear6 · 12/04/2011 15:27

I didn't buy one and got by okay, but I never swaddled DS as the MW told me there was no requirement to - some babies like it and some don't. Then a friend told me swaddling might carry a small increased risk of SIDS but I think it's not proven.

So no, nice to gave if you want it but not an essential, swaddling can be done with a normal blanket anyway.

MrsSnaplegs · 12/04/2011 15:28

I swaddled my DC1 but not DC2 - each child is different. I think I would wait if I were you and try swaddling with a large ordinary baby blanket first.f you look up Dr Harvey Karp on you tube there is a really good video clip of his swaddling and rocking technique which worked for DC1. I can't link from work sorry

Original poster
airhostess · 12/04/2011 15:29

Lol!
It's good your my fountain of knowledge! Will check out the gro bag site!
Thanks

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FannyBrawne · 12/04/2011 15:29

IMO, no - just an ordinary small blanket will do.

I bought one of those Mothercare swaddling things and it was all too complicated for me - and, apart from the first few weeks, DS was never too keen on being wrapped up anyway.

Original poster
airhostess · 12/04/2011 15:31

Good point maybe waiting and trying a 'homemade' version to see how the little one takes to it is more practical as I still can't find the money tree!
Thanks for everyones posts x

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VioletV · 12/04/2011 15:35

I think they look horrid! My friend was telling me how much I needed to buy one too.. Meh!

Rugbylovingmum · 12/04/2011 15:46

DD loved being swaddled and slept really well during the day but I know my niece hated it so maybe better to wait. I managed with a small blanket at first then when we knew we would carry on swaddling my mum bought us one of these or something like it. It was very useful but I'd wait and see whether you need it first.

omnomnomtom · 12/04/2011 15:52

My friends DS slept much better whilst swaddled in a but when we tried it on my DS he wriggled and grunted as though I'd put him in a straight jacket- he slept much better in a gro-bag. Can you borrow one from anyone to try? Or swaddle using a sheet and see how you get on
Think the SIDs risk is due to overheating as they can't move arm and legs away from body- also you shouldn't swaddle once baby can roll over but you don't need to worry about that for a while yet!

nannyl · 12/04/2011 15:53

i keep watching them on ebay....
many are hardly used and seem to go unsold at 99p.

Im sure you could get 1 for £3 ish inc postage if you watch carefully

sh77 · 12/04/2011 17:31

my baby hates being swaddled and fights his little arms out to have them close to his face. i bough the gro swaddle blamket and it was good for the 1st week but then his legs would not fit the bit for feet and legs. waste of money. use a normal blanket.

MonkeeMummy · 12/04/2011 17:36

I'm probably going to get flamed. But I just bought some thin, stretchy (100% cotton) t-shirt material from a fabric shop (cost £1.50), as recommended by Gina Ford (yes, I am a devotee) and it worked brilliantly. My DD had colic and swaddling was fab for her.

Leilababyno1 · 12/04/2011 17:37

All you need is a 100% cotton cellular moses blanket for affective swaddling (Mothercare sell them for £9.99)

I was taught how to swaddle at my NCT antenatal classes, it's very easy.
Are you booked on either the NCT or NHS course, as I'm sure they will show you how to swaddle.

As others have said some babies LOVE swaddling, others not- just a case of trial and error...

Tangle · 12/04/2011 18:20

You might also want to wait and see how big your DC is - DD1 was 9lb 12 and too big for the Mothercare and Gro swaddling blanket things we had. Plus she hated it.... ...but a friends DS loved being turned into a maggot (her word) and slept really well like that. Think she just used whatever came to hand, though :)

magicmelons · 12/04/2011 19:03

Loved my brushed cotton one can't remember who made it but first dc didn't have one and she used to wiggle out of the blanket, ds slept swaddled for months it was brill.

So i would say yes, mine didn't have velcro though just huge sheety thing.

magicmelons · 12/04/2011 19:06

i had this one, still have its perfect so will be using for dc3

TheRedQueen · 12/04/2011 19:17

No - you can just use a small blanket, or similar. My DD didn't like swaddling, but she did like being put down with something soft but firm (like a rolled up towel) around the crown of her head. The midwife said that it makes some babies feel more secure as they are used to having the top of their head pressing against something when in the womb.

IAmTheCookieMonster · 12/04/2011 19:21

i bought one but never used it, i just used a normal blanket. They are nice but not a neccessity.

Beamur · 12/04/2011 19:23

I had one, but DD hated being swaddled. Waste of money for me.

Original poster
airhostess · 12/04/2011 19:32

Thankyou so much for your time, decision made! Waiting until the little one arrives,hopefully learn how to swaddle on my NCT in June and take it from there! x

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