2 things

1). I need reassurance swaddle blankets are not "cruel". I sometimes feel like I'm putting them in a straight jacket! They seem to work right now though.

2). Is it sometimes normal for them to eat less? They were both eating 3-4 oz every 3 hous. Yesterday and today, the each had 1-2 bottles where they only ate 2-2.5 oz. their dipes seem fine.

Thanks!!

 

1. No it's not cruel, try to think of how it was all warm and cosy inside your womb and you trying to recreate that feeling for them.

2. Mine did that and still do, my pedi said it was normal but it didn't stop me worrying!

 

My babies hated the act of swaddling but were so comforted and calm when swaddled it was clearly worth it. They need that snug wrap after being squished in utero for so long!

 

The only time it would be cruel to swaddle is if they screamed and didn't calm down. Trey HATED being swaddled. So I didn't do it. Sydney would NOT settle down to sleep without swaddling so I used that thing until like 8 months old (though the last few months I only swaddled her from the waist down). The rest of my kids I swaddled until from 3-5 months. They always settled right down when they were wrapped up snuggly, which told me that they were comfortable.

And baby appetites fluctuate just like grown up ones do. As long as they're having plenty of wet&dirty diapers, they're probably just fine. They also go through growth spurts where just before it seems like they'll never stop eating.

 

^^ Exactly what she said!

 

Thanks! My DD didn't need swaddling, so it's new for me!

 

1. No way- check out the video Happiest Baby on the Block with Dr. Harvey Karp. It's comforting for babies to be held close and swaddling does that.

2. Yes- babies should be encouraged to eat until fullness and just like with adults, some days they are hungrier than others. if it makes you feel any better, I have no idea how much any of my kids have ever eaten as they are nursing.

 

1. My advice to new parents trying out the swaddle is to pull the blanket until you think it's too tight and then pull it a little more. Then it's just right.

2. It's completely normal for them to be hungry some days and not as hungry others. Particularly if they've learned a new skill recently and want to focus on that instead of eating, sleeping, or doing anything that we moms want.

 

Some nights the twins want it and even then its a loose swaddle my oedi showed us bc she wanted us to be careful of their joints, other nights they don't .... I just make sure they're warm.

As for the feedings, totally normal, mine do the same thing, when they eat less theyre usually up quicker for the next feeding but I let them dictate the feeding.