Still Swaddling 4 1/2 Month Old

i swaddled mine till he was about 5 1/2- 6 months old. Near the end he usually scooched out of it through the night . Eventually she will be moving so much in her sleep she wont want it so go ahead and keep doing it till it is obvious she doesnt need it anymore.

7 months and 6 months for my two...they both slowly got their arms out on their own and learned to get more comfortable in a blanket that was less tight - the whole idea is their nervous system isn't fully developed when they are "new" and they twitch all over and wake themselves up - the swaddle is womb-like - as long as they can't roll over they're safe in the blanket. We used the Miracle Blanket as well - it's larger than the brands I found at Babies R Us and Target.

Good luck and congrats!

we were worried about swaddling our 4 month old son and asked the ped. about it who said as long as it brings him comfort you can swaddle as long as he wanted. my son de-swaddled himself and has happily been sleeping sans swaddle for about two months. many cultures swaddle for the entire first year. if it helps every one get a good nights sleep i wouldn't worry about it, she'll outgrow it eventually.

I recommend swaddling until they are too big literally. Usually I just use bigger blankets as needed honestly. I believe in swaddling up until about 11 mos old. If they are kicking the blankets off consistently that is when I stop if they are still able to sleep well. But if they are not sleeping well then I keep swaddling even then, just get bigger blankets so it can wrap more.

I would never stop swaddling a baby younger then 8 mos old.

N., professional daycare provider, expert in sleep

We started to wean our son from his swaddle around 4 months. The pediatrician said it would be a good idea so that he could be free to explore and develop his muscles while in the crib. I was hesitant to wean because he was such a good sleeper and thought that it was all because of the swaddle.

We started by loosening the swaddle, then swaddling just one arm, and continuing to loosen the swaddle. I tried this for naps only first and continued to swaddle him at night (I'd rather sleep issues during the day than at nighttime). As the swaddle got looser, he started breaking out of it on his own. Eventually, he would take naps unswaddled, and we started loosening it at night.

But, I've heard of many people swaddling their babies for much longer.

My 6mos old ds doesn't sleep without his swaddle. We bought one of the Kidopottamus ones when he was born and he outgrew it. Then we found out that they do make a large size though and we got that one. I am hoping it lasts until he doesn't need one anymore because I am not so good with the blankets. He can wriggle out of them and wakes up. We just dress him in a cotton sleeper to prevent overheating and most nights we leave an arm free. It is a nice cover for him too. During the day my ds is always "moving" (this started pre-birth) and I think he just needs a break from it all and finds the confinement soothing. Wish I would have had the swaddle for my other kids. Some cultures think we are cruel to not wrap up our babies. I plan to use it as long as he gets comfort from it. I'd keep using it. He can play outside the crib for now.

My daughter is 26 months old and still is swaddled. I do not put her arms in but the rest of her is wrapped tight like a burrito! She gets comfort from this and I am not willing to take that away from her. She sleeps for 12-14 hours a night!!! WHo can complain about that :) The only thing I worry about is her last blanket that I can do it in is a frayed mess and Martha Stewart does not make this one anymore :(

As long as your daughter is comforted by it I would not worry in the least. Remember she spent 9 months snug and warm in your belly- she still wants that feeling of safety and comfort and may for a long time to come! I think they let you know when they are ready... I have given up all the books and other nonsense when it comes to timetables- our children decide when things will happen!

Blessings to you and yours!

We swaddled past 6 months. It was the only way she would sleep. Somewhere around 7-8 months, she started rolling and ended up a tummy sleeper from that point on. I would keep swaddling at this age, if she still needs it.

HI C.,
We swaddled my son until he was about 6 months old. We used the Miracle Blanket and one day he just outgrew it. He was so happy in there. If she's content in the swaddle, I wouldn't change anything. Some cultures swaddle for much longer than "we" do.
Best of Luck,
B.

We swaddled for 6 months. He eventually started to wriggle out of it and wake up toga-style. Once it got to that point, we just 'weaned' him by wrapping him with one arm out...then both arms out...and finally just loosely swaddled. If he still wants to be swaddled, go for it and follow his lead.

Swaddle as long as they want, really! My son insisted on being swaddled and rolled as tight as a burrito until about maybe 5 months at least. :) If it makes her happy, continue :) It's not a bad thing. Congrats.