Well, there's a fine line with the swaddle. Technically, yes, you're right...it IS a prop. But let's consider how it's used and LO's response to it. Babies go through a series of jolts as they drift off to sleep (in those first 15-20 minutes of light sleep), and during those first couple of months, they don't know that they can sleep through those. All they know is that their arms and legs are flailing--they don't know it's themselves, and it disturbs them. They have no control over that. This is when swaddling is more considered a tool to help them sleep. It helps keep their bodies more snug so that they can continue to drift off into dreamland
Eventually, though, they DO get control over their arms and legs. They start bringing their hands to their faces, kicking around...I'm sure you've seen your LO exploring this when he's playing. Then, they can get strong enough to break out of the swaddle and can start to wake-up and fuss if they're not swaddled. When they're not waking up for any other reason but to be reswaddled, then that's when it's become a prop.
That's how I make the distinction in my mind.
You're right. There are moms whose LOs truly need to be swaddled longer. I was one of those; but only because I needed to wait until DS got through the 45 minute naps that I had to extend every time. He needed the swaddle to sleep because he would jolt and squirm. Nothing else we did worked to extend his naps save using httj and the swaddle. Once again, during this time, it was a tool...like shh/pat (which can also become a prop if allowed to be used past its need, can it not?).
But, I think you've probably done everything else to make sure the wakings weren't a routine issue, a developmental issue/milestone, or a health issue (like teething). I think you've got the feeling that it's just time now
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We got that feeling, too.
Yes, we went cold turkey. I had a feeling that a gradual weaning wouldn't work bc DS was already getting out of the swaddle, so it ended up being the same thing, iyswim. We went through 2-3 days of short naps and an earlier bedtime. We used a sleep sack so that he was still warm enough and we put that into the wind down routine where swaddling had been. We also used PU/PD because shh/pat only made him angry (if your LO can get by with shh/pat, that's great).
You just have to be in the right mindset. You have to know that it will--could--be hard. That way, when it is hard, you're prepared. And if he surprises you and he adjusts well, then even more wonderful!
If your LO is not used to the sensation of his arm being out of the swaddle (and you not putting it back in for him), then, yes, he will probably wake up during his nap time. It takes a bit for them to learn the new way of doing things. He will learn how he likes to settle. Maybe introduce a lovey? Maybe he will suck his fingers? Our LO pulled up the extra fabric on his sleep sack and sucked on that.
I would say that if you're going to do this, to start it as soon as you can before going back to work. It might take longer than a weekend...it might not. There's no way I can tell how your LO will respond. But when/if you make the decision to wean the swaddle, we'll be here to help and offer our support
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Have you had a chance to look through the Props board and the FAQs to get some ideas?
P.S. If you have "The Baby Whisperer Solves All Your Problems," on pages 182-183 Tracy talks about using the swaddle. She herself recognizes that it is a need-based technique. She recommends starting to wean ~3-4 months...IF your baby needs it to be weaned then. On the flip side, she also realizes that some LOs need to be swaddled as long as 7-8 months.