Yesterday, I wrote that many babies like to be swaddled, and that this can be a great way to help your baby sleep.  But what do you do if your baby doesn’t like to be swaddled?

 

Although many newborns like to be swaddled, there are some that don’t.  (Actually, my own daughter is an example.)  For these babies, they will often kick and act generally uncomfortable whenever swaddled, wanting their legs and/or arms to be free.  Trying to swaddle a baby that doesn’t want to be swaddled will actually do more harm than good when it comes to sleep because the more you try to swaddle an unwilling baby, the more they wiggle, and the harder they try to get free.  This is not a good recipe for baby sleep.

 

In these cases you have a couple of good options.  The first option is simple - don’t swaddle.  Just because swaddling works well for many babies, doesn’t mean that it will work well with every baby.

 

The second option is to use what is called a “wearable blanket.”  Do an internet search and you’re sure to find lots of products for sale.  A wearable blanket is just what it sounds like - a blanket that your baby wears when sleeping - and is a cross between swaddling and nothing at all.  If your baby does not like to be swaddled, a wearable blanket can be a great trick to help him or her sleep.

 

Andrew Dolbin-MacNab

Pediasleep LLC

 

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     About the Author:

 

Andrew Dolbin-MacNab is a father, sound-engineer, and the founding member of Pediasleep LLC, a leader in the production of white noise and other soothing sounds to aid the healthy sleep of infants, cosleepers, and parents. Having successfully survived his daughter's early sleep problems with the help of white noise, he is also an expert on infant sleep problems and their solutions. Pediasleep can be found online at http://www.Pediasleep.com.