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What to use instead of swaddle for startle reflex

1 reply

Sleepysoul · 18/06/2023 00:55

Hello - wondering if any kind soul out there can help a despairing new mum.

DD is wonderful and 9 weeks old. She used to sleep fine in her crib up until about 2 weeks ago when she started to wake herself up with her arms and legs flailing around. She's now at the point where she wakes herself up after being placed in her bed within a few mins, though sometimes can go for us up to half hour if placed in there in a deep sleep.

She now sleeps on me or my husband's chests for all sleeps. I am therefore awake all night with her upright on me (the startle reflex doesn't seem to affect her when she's not on her back, I guess that's normal?)

I'm just grabbing an hour or two sleep when my husband is home from work to hold her, which I don't think I'm going to be able to carry on with if the reflex doesn't go until she's 6 months. Yesterday I was so overtired I couldn't get to sleep at all.

I know the usual answer would be to swaddle, which I do think would help, but unfortunately she's already started to roll, and I know they say not to swaddle after they show signs of rolling.

Are there any other (safe) options of getting a very wriggly baby to sleep on their backs without a swaddle? I don't know what I'm going to do if not, clearly can't survive on the 1-3 hours of sleep I'm currently getting!! I'll try anything!!

Thank you in advance any angels who can help me

OP posts:
Are your children’s vaccines up to date?
AuntieJune · 18/06/2023 02:03

You're already co sleeping effectively, but not safely as sitting up you're at high rush of falling asleep while holding her and squashing her. I'd co-sleep following lullaby trust safe sleep rules.

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