Sleep Ponderings from Me: Swaddling

Swaddling... The nurses wrap up your baby moments after you give birth back into a tight little bundle. They have just spent months held tightly in a warm environment, and I can only imagine birth and their new world are shocking.  Swaddling is a way to bring them back to the womb. 

Babies usually remain swaddled for much of their hospital visit. But, what happens when you take your sweet baby home? Some people continue to swaddle and some people do not. I encourage you to swaddle as long as your baby sleeps best when swaddled. Note: trying to struggle out of a swaddle does not mean they don't "want" to be swaddled. Swaddling keeps all their jumpy little newborn reflexes contained so that they can get good sleep (WHICH translates to you getting a goodnight's sleep). 

So, find a good swaddling blanket (this may change as your baby grows) and swaddle until they outgrow this (usually won't stay in the swaddle for any length of time or you notice that their jumpy newborn reflexes have calmed down). Also, before you leave the hospital ask a nurse to show you how to swaddle- and notice that they do not swaddle loosely- you are recreating the womb- do you remember how tight they fit into your belly?

I swaddled my first baby until she was 5 months old or so. I swaddled my son until he was only 2 months old, and I swaddled my third baby until she was 4 months old. I know of other people who swaddled past 6 months.  Like anything you will know what is best and what works for you, but don't give up the swaddle too early, it may increase night sleep.