Help sleep Swaddling advice needed

[Csang]

Hey, I have a 2 week old newborn and his startle reflex is strong he struggles to sleep. I found the amazing tommee tippee swaddle sleeping bags and everything was going well. The health visitor came and said not to put his arms inside as he can overheat but didn't offer an alternative. Now he's waking all through the night when active sleeping and neither of us are getting much sleep at all. I'm already worried about him being too hot or cold and now I'm stuck. Room is a steady 18 degrees. Help, what layers can I dress him in/ swaddle him in, safely without the risk of him overheating? Thankyou- from one tired mum!

Why would his arms in make him overheat? Surely you just dress him appropriately underneath to prevent that?

Tbh, it sounds like your HV just isn't a fan of swaddling. Until recently it wasn't recommended and perhaps she's just stuck in the old way of thinking. In fact, the NHS parental education we did taught us how to swaddle!

We swaddle (arms up) and have had zero issues with overheating. Baby needs to sleep for his (and our!) health. And swaddling helps him to do that so we will be carrying on (until rolling)

Thank you for this. She said because arms to chest can generate a lot of heat and that under a 2.5 tog sleeping bag increases the chance of him overheating. She said think when your cold whwre do you put your arms? To your chest, thats how you keep warm which has played on my mind and I haven't done it since. I agree that myself and baby both need sleep- I'm really struggling so good to hear your thoughts.

I currently have him just in a long sleeve body suit (no legs) but I could put a short sleeve vest on and try arms in? Can't find any trust worthy clear info anywhere!

I've not heard that before! I swaddled my daughter when she was newborn (now 15 months) and will be swaddling my baby due in Feb! All my other mum friends swaddled too in the bags!

Sorry not what you want to hear but the babies startle reflex is necessary as a preventative of SIDS, waking regularly is normal and healthy.

Besides it is not going to be long before you won't be able to swaddle anymore, isn't it from 8 weeks or when they start being able to roll?

I would really recommend co sleeping to minimise wakes and maximise sleep

To be done safely look at the lullaby trust and for more information there is a helpful page on instagram called co sleepy, in the highlights she outlines how to sleep safely.

I didn't do any of this with my first until she was 4 months old and I was absolutely broken by that point, she was waking up hourly and by the time I'd fed and put her down she would be awake 20 minutes later. So believe me, I do understand.

We are using Love to Dream swaddle sleep bags with our 6 week old and they are amazing, you can get them from Mamas and Papas. Baby's arms are above head and warm but same time baby's body feels swaddled - it's honestly been a game changer for us

Thanks so much for this. I went and purchased a couple and they've been great. Really appreciate it x