Help! My newborn will only sleep if swaddled!?

Question

I have a 8 week old baby, She has colic. At first she would only sleep in a bouncer, then she would sleep just fine in her bassinette, the back to her bouncer, now she loves to be swaddled. She is colicy. She will sleep for 6 hours at night if swaddled, either in her bouncer or bassinete. Now, i dont have a problem with swaddling her, but im worried about SIDS and what I always hear or am told " no blankets" When I swaddle her she is so tight she can not get her arms out at all, not tight where she can't breath, but she just loves it, she instantly starts cooing and calms down when I do it. Is it really that bad If i let her sleep bundled up, i wake up every hour to check her, im worried, i dont want to put her in her crib becuase of that. Has anyone else done this? Has your baby only wanted to sleep good swaddled? And how long was your baby in your room with you? HOw long is too long? If the blanket is under her tight should I stop worring?>? Thanks

Answer 1

I have a 6 month old & she still gets swaddled most nights. It is comforting for them to be bundled like they were in the womb. As far as your concern with SIDS the thing about the blankets is to be sure you have no loose blankets in the crib [something they could pull over their face]. With swaddling they obviously can't do that because their arms are wrapped up. They say you can use a blanket [other than for swaddling] if you tuck the blanket under the end of the mattress with only enough blanket to cover only up to baby's armpits/shoulders and tuck the sides in tight too but mine loved [and still loves] to be swaddled. I really wouldn't worry about her if she is swaddled, in fact I felt more comfortable when mine was swaddled because she couldn't pull the blankets over or anything like that.

As far as keeping baby in your room I would say keep her there [if you want of course] until she can sleep through the night or maybe 6 months or so. I think mine is ready for her own room but right now we are in a 1 bedroom apt. so thats not an option.

It sounds like you are doing a good job though girl so just relax and enjoy your little beauty.

Answer 2

Stop worrying and swaddle that baby. They normally swaddle the babies in the hospital. And by no blankets they mean like heavy crib blankets that they could roll around or get tangled up in. She cant get SIDS from being swaddled the blanket is no where near her face. I promise I have 5 kids I would never steer anyone in the wrong direction. Also I had a colicky baby about a year ago and swaddling was the only thing that worked. I would have lost my mind if it werent for the one thing she loved so much... BTW.. she is still in my room at 22 months in her crib some kids are different. Mine prefers to be in the room with her mom and for now I am ok with that. She will probably be moved by the time she is 3. You have a long way to go before it is too long... and ultimatly what is too long is when it bothers you. But please swaddle that baby and give her the comfort she needs and the peace you need, LOL!! Good Luck!

Answer 3

I kept my newborn sleeping in the room with me for about 2 nights. We swaddled him for almost 6 months and he slept great. Once he got too big for the blanket and he was also able to flip onto his stomach we stopped swaddling him. He's always slept through the night, even until now, and he's a healthy 16 month old. Your baby will be fine and you will never stop checking in on her when she's sleeping, even when she's 18. Good Luck!

Answer 4

There is nothing wrong with letting her sleep swaddled. If this is how she sleeps, then just keep doing what works. They recommend not putting babies in loose or heavy blankets because they fear the baby could get tangled in the blankets. Don't worry. Swaddling is just fine. (especially if she is colicky and this is the only way she sleeps)

Answer 5

Swaddling tight is fine up to 3 months. That is the age they can generally break out of the swaddle.

Your baby is fine, stop worrying mommy!

Answer 6

Actually swaddling is the norm for a newborn, many of them like it cuz it makes them feel like they are in the womb, they swaddle babies in the hospital, if they do it there, its safe to do at home. My sisters baby is 6 months and he still sleeps in her room, my firends baby is around a year and she is now putting her baby her own room, relax, breathe, its ok everything is fine

Answer 7

It is very normal for a newborn to want to be swaddled. They actually make little blanket thingys that are easier to use, with velcro to close around the baby, get them at walm**t. As long as the wrapping is snug, then there is little chance of her smothering in them, they aren't around her face are they? I think colic is helped by the pressure around her tummy by the blanket. I was lucky that none of my three had it. Mine slept in my room for the first 3 months, but I was nursing so it was a matter of ease at night. I don't think there is a time table for moving them out of your room, if they are in their own bed what is the problem? I do know that putting them in bed with you is a bad idea all around, that really does increase a chance of smothering by the parent rolling over on the baby. Also, they never want to leave and go go into their own bed. I never did it, but two of my grandkids really didn't want to get out of their parents beds, took ages.

Answer 8

i thiink some babies love to be swaddled and i never knew there was anything wrong with it unless it was too tight. are you worried about it getting too loose and her hurting herself with the loose blanket? i would just keep her swaddled and let her sleep that way. and i don't think i'd worry because i thought it was good. if she likes it, chances are it makes her feel cozy and held close and warm and secure.

Answer 9

as long as it is a light weight blanket it is ok to use. Its the heavy blankets you want to worry about. The SIDS campaign recommends either that or the halo sleep sack... but you cant swaddle her in that!

Answer 10

Babies love to feel swaddled like being in the womb. they have special blankets at babies r us just for that reason. as long as the babies are on their back it should be no problem. My babies (I have 3) all stayed in my room for at least 6 months and they adjusted to their own rooms just fine.