Too Old for Swaddling?

on November 2, 2009 at 7:06 AM

CafeMom JMB4Evr posted in 20 Somethings (a private group) that she swaddled her 1 year old the other day! Just one of those cute, funny things you feel like sharing.

Her little girl was fussy and refused to take a nap. JMB4Evr was so desperate to get her to sleep that she grabbed the pink blanket and wrapped her baby up like a cigar. No joke, as soon as she finished, her daughter fell fast asleep.

For sure, this wouldn't work with every 1 year old. One mom said her little ones would have a fit, and another mom guaranteed she'd end up with bite marks on her arm if she tried that.

Hmm ... this story made me wonder if a baby is ever too old to swaddle. When I was poking around for the answer, I found a lot of moms who want to break baby of the swaddling habit. The crutch can become a bit tedious for mom.

rabbate answered both of my questions in her recent Answers reply:

"Just keep swaddling her until she fights you to put it on. There is no specific age not to swaddle and at some point she will grow out of it. I know an 11 month old that is still swaddled. My daughter was swaddled until 5 months, and then she would fight to put it on. I couldn't take it away cold turkey, though, because she was having trouble putting herself to sleep even though she didn't want it on. I just loosened it a little each night, then kept her arms out one night and it worked. Just be patient and don't let anyone tell you that at some specific age you have to stop swaddling unless it is your pediatrician."

Do you still swaddle your baby? How old is he/she? Do you like the habit or are you looking forward to your baby falling asleep without?

Related posts:

My Baby Sleeps on His Tummy -- So What?

Get Your Screaming Baby to Sleep

Is Your Baby Sleeping Through the Night?

About the author Cynthia Dermody

is The Stir's Managing Editor who has trophies in her home for her skills at the Irish Jig. She makes cupcakes with as many fattening ingredients as possible, doesn't comb her hair for months at a time, and was probably a faerie in a former life.

Filed Under: sleep

Comments (8)

lltp

on Nov 2, 2009 at 11:03 AM

Haha..that's hilarious. Yes, my son would have a fit. This reminds me of this post, so cute:

http://www.mamaista.com/2009/08/06/grown-babies-dont-get-swaddled/

But I would recommend either of these options given the weather and the time change, rather than swaddling a one year old.

http://www.mamaista.com/2009/10/08/the-rolls-royce-of-sleep-sacks/

http://www.mamaista.com/2009/10/29/the-time-it-is-a-changin/

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MrsJayne

on Nov 2, 2009 at 9:17 PM

I still swaddle my 8 month old at night and for naps.He stays wrapped while I nurse him but as soon as I lay him down he wiggles out and flips over and gets himself all comfortable.

1sttimemommy198

on Nov 2, 2009 at 10:50 PM

My youngest still gets swaddled every once in a while...like last night and tonight. He is 3 months old. My oldest never liked being swaddled..even in the hospital...they kept wrapping him up and I had to keep unwrapping him

jagrus

on Nov 3, 2009 at 12:00 PM

I swaddle my 10 month old boy once in awhile, it calms him down and helps him sleep

fmchavez

on Nov 3, 2009 at 8:04 PM

My eldest (now 22months) was swaddled until 6months. We had to go cold turkey because it was June and super hot. My 5month old is still being swaddled and I hope that she ends around 6mo but I won't fight it. It's winter now so it's different

twinstrollermom

on Dec 6, 2009 at 3:06 AM

My little one's are 5 months old and I still swaddle them. I don't mind it, they're happy and they don't hit each other if they wake up :)

mynaturalbaby

on Apr 6, 2010 at 4:42 PM

I had a pretty big boy so was only able to swaddle him for about three months before he outgrew it. He really liked it, so I was a little scared about what I would do when I had to ditch the swaddle and move to blankets. Thankfully, I was given a sleepsack by my experienced Mom BFF and it solved all of my problems! I don't have to worry about SIDS because all blankets have been removed from his crib and he stays warm at night because he's not able to kick the sleepsack off. There are a ton out there, but I really like the Merino Kids one because it's made of merino and is super chic.

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Too Old for Swaddling?

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