BabyWhispererForums.com
SLEEP => General Sleep Issues => Topic started by: cwolff on September 20, 2005, 02:14:48 am
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I have a swaddle addict. I also have a paci addict but that's another story. We have used the Miracle Blanket since she was around 8weeks old, and she's 18weeks today. It has been wonderful, but every time I try and even leave one arm out she will either use that hand to yank the paci out of her mouth or she just doesn't get that it's sleep time. I've gotten her sleepy in my arms with one arm out, but the minute I put her down, she does the paci thing and starts smiling and playing. I am under major pressure to try and wean her off of the swaddle, but I just can't imagine losing any more sleep then I already do. So I just read the post about how to do the aussie swaddle, and I thought maybe I would try using this swaddle in hopes of eventually teaching her it's ok to have her hands up instead of at her side. I'm wondering if anyone else does this, and if you think I'm just switching addictions or could this be a possible solution. I know the BW way of weaning is one arm out, but how can I do that when she yanks the paci out with it?
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I am not sure as my son is only 3 months, but if it were me I would leave her in the complete swaddle as long as she was sleeping fine. I have heard of the swaddling being used past 6 months and I would think she would either be more ready to wean down the road or at least have better control, etc when you decide to.
I would wait unless you feel like you need to wean her of it for some other reason. Of all the "props" that we use I would think this is the easier to use longer term with little "damage" as they will stop using it eventually!
Just my thoughts......
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I'm the mom of a swaddling addict (paci addict too, but that's a different story, like you said :wink: ). Tyler has been swaddled since birth for naps (we never did it at night, he'd get too hot and just never needed it). Around 3 or 4 mo, we started the Aussie swaddle with a bedsheet cut in half. It was AWESOME. It's hard to master (I practiced a lot on a huge teddy bear), but once you have it down, it's hard to get out of. We did that until he was old enough to find his paci himself, like 8-9 mo. Even then, we gradually weaned him to a regular blanket wrapped around his legs only...and he naps like that to this day (he's almost 21 mo). He doesn't stay in the blanket anymore, but the act of swaddling as part of our nap routine has a strong sleep association for him and helps him wind down. This was a huge, huge help to me on many plane trips where he needed to nap. It was really easy to re-create a big part of his sleep routine and signal to him that it was time to sleep.
I don't think swaddling is bad at all, and I don't see why I'll ever need to wean him of his blanket wrap. I'm pretty sure he'll outgrow it on his own. As an added plus, he was never interested in a lovey, but now his swaddle blanket acts as his lovey at night. I say give it a try, and keep swaddling as long as she wants!
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My lo is the same a swaddle and dummy addict. So you are not alone. She laughs as soon as she yanks her dummy out too. As soon as she can find her thumb and keep it in her mouth I will unswaddle her so she can soothe herself to sleep.