Too much swaddling?

Hi,

Our babies are 11 days old and we have been holding out in survival mode. I would really like some input on what we have been doing thus far:

1) I basically BF on demand both day and night. Sometimes the babies will go up to 4 hours between feeds, but today they are hungry every 2 hours. I am just going with the flow :huh: I am also pumping after feedings, but today I have cut back on the pumping because of the frequency of feedings. If I pump there won't be anything left when the babies are hungry again!

2) We have the babies in a PnP during the day, but transition to the crib after the late evening feed (10 or 11ish).

3) The babies basically spend the entire day swaddled...and this is what I am concerned about!!! We un-swaddle for feedings (unless my son is flailing), burp, change diaper if necessary, and then re-swaddle. If the babies start to fuss, we walk around and get them to settle down and sleep.

I feel like all we are trying to do is get them to sleep! It seems like their "awake" period is during the night...unless it is just a fussy period. I don't feel like I have much opportunity to bond with the babies. Are we doing something wrong by keeping them swaddled so much?? I am in "worried" mommy mode right now...feeling a little unsure about my mommy skills.

Thanks for any advice or guidance...
Sarah

 

Just wanted to say congrats. Don't know anything about swaddling, we didn't do that. But you will find a lot of babies will be more awake at night for a period of time, they tend to get day/night confusion.

Dianna

 

I feel like ours were swaddled the entire first month It kept them calm. It sounds like you are doing an awesome job!

 

We keep ours swaddled for a lot of the day also. Until 6 weeks they would only be unswaddled when sleeping on us, feeding or changing. Mine really really liked to be swaddled and sleep SO much better when they are. Now they are unswaddled for an hour or so with and after each feeding and when people want to hold them.
So I think you're fine!

 

I agree--you're doing fine. The first few weeks are pure survival! Ours were wrapped pretty much all the time (not necessarily a tight swaddle except at night or during "scheduled" nap times) in those early weeks; but they were also born in the winter time. I think they find it comforting; and I was all about comforting these new souls. I kept thinking how shocking the world must be to a newborn--cold, loud, bright.

And you'll get the days and nights worked out. Ours were totally backwards for a couple of weeks. At their two week checkup, we got the go ahead to let them sleep longer than 4 hours at night (ha!). About the same time, we started loosely scheduling the daytime feedings to no more than 3 hours apart. I think that helped because they got adequate nutrition during the day to start going for longer (it's all relative) stretches at night. And they started being more alert so we could work at keeping them awake during the day a little more.

You'll get there! It gets easier every week. Congratulations!!!

 

Mine are still getting swaddled.

 

we swaddled our babies from the day were born, and the first 3 months, they were swaddled for all feedings, naps and nightsleep. it helped them a great deal.
now that they are almost 5 months old, still swaddled for sleeping, sometimes now I try to put them down unswaddled, they don't like it that much. when it's really hot, they sleep...I know sooner or later, we'll have to go cold turkey. but especially our boy, he needs it sometimes for feeding too, due to reflux, I am sure it will all fall in place.

it has never been a bonding problem, you bond still, and unswaddle for diaper change and tummy time at each feeding, and cuddling and holding them on your chest.

GL
alexa

 

Our kids were swaddled, almost around the clock for the first three months. It wasn't until they were able to stay awake for a tad (maybe a month or so) that we actually left them unswaddled after a feeding for maybe 10 min. They were just so much more content while swaddled. So you do what you have to do.

Sounds like you are doing great!!! (And congrats!!!)

 

WE swaddled all the time in the beginning and I worried as well that it was too much confined time. But they liked it and that's what helped to calm them, now looking back I am glad we did it. There will be lots of time down the road when you don't swaddle, for now I think some babies just need that comfort. You are in survival mode - do what you need to do to get by!

 

[SIZE=10pt]You're doing great Sarah!

We swaddled for at least the first three months. They both were much more content and definitely slept better when swaddled. They sound like they're doing great ~ and doing what they're suppose to (except for the night confusion of course ) Babies sleep a lot at that age.

You are most certainly bonding with them ~ when you're nursing them, changing them and cuddling with them.

I miss those swaddle days

April [/SIZE]

 

You are doing a great job!!! We kept ours swaddled all the time, except for feedings for awhile. Probably at least a month- until they started "waking up" more. And you are bonding with them! I know it feels weird because they aren't aware and they just eat, poop, and sleep. But that is what they are supposed to do!

And swaddling really helps them. Mine slept a LOT better. Now, they have both figured out how to roll from back to tummy, so we swaddle with arms out. If they weren't rolling, I would still be full swaddling for naps and night!

 

I agree with the others - we did the same. In fact, we swaddled for naps and nighttime until 7 months!

 

Sounds like you are doing great! My boys both loved being swaddled, and were pretty much wrapped up 24 hours a day if they weren't eating, sleeping, or being held until about 6 weeks. Then we started leaving them unswaddled during the day as long as they were happy, but still swaddling them at night, during naptimes, and if they got particularly cranky. My mom and grandmother made me feel so bad for swaddling them and kept saying I was practically putting them in a straight jacket. But they loved it. Everytime I left them unswaddled they got super cranky. Later when they were ready to not be swaddled anymore they let me know by fussing and fighting to get an arm out. So, listen to your babies - they will let you know what they like and don't.