Is it ok to swaddle at 4.5 months at night time?

[Spark_sparkle]

Hi All, my baby is going through sleep regression which started at 4 months and he wakes up several times at night for feed and is swaddled back. It is normal swaddle how you would wear to a newborn with cotton material.That is the only way he would sleep otherwise they startle so much. If i remove i am afraid and know he would not sleep and since regression started his sleep/naps are really disturbed n would only do contact naps.

Is it ok to swaddle for this age? Not going to affect any milestone or growth.

Read all kind of statements so worried.

Please share your inputs.

Thank you

[PenguinBlue]

Hi, I think you’re supposed to stop swaddling around 12-16 weeks as babies start to roll at that age. The risk with swaddling after this is that baby could rolll onto their front and then not be able to roll back in the night. The startle reflex only goes over time I.e they need the opportunity to overcome it (which swaddling prevents.)

The 4 month regression can be rough but their brain is changing and it will pass soon. If you can, find other methods to help baby settle and sleep (pram naps really helped with my first).

[Twiglet2]

no they shouldn’t be swaddled at this age (for the safety reasons mentioned above) we moved to sleeping bags at about 8weeks you get them with the arms or without them (ours preferred without the arms) which means still all snuggly at the toes and can’t kick off the covers but arms are out in case they roll. He used these until over a year when he started walking.

In case you want any tips on sleeping/napping I stopped contact naps and falling asleep whilst feeding around 10weeks too all of which helped him learn how to fall asleep himself without the need for me or milk to get him over (I didn’t do cry it out or anything, but did let him cry a little whilst I was there when I knew it wasn’t for milk or nappy or wind (you can tell the difference usually) I still used sleep aids and was with him but I patted his tummy in his next to me crib, had white noise on and star projector at night and during the day he had a little swing seat that played twinkle twinkle that helped him fall asleep then I put him in the crib). At night it could take minutes or it could take half an hour and I would pick him up and try milk again but not let him fall asleep whilst drinking it if I saw his eyes going would put him down sleepy but awake. It was hard sometimes but It also then helped if he woke up in the night maybe an hour later etc I would just pat his tummy and he would fall asleep again quickly as he was now used to falling asleep this way. He’s slept through the night 95% of the time (at least 8-12 hours) from 4 months to now (2.5) so I stand by my methods for him but every baby is different but just in case any of it works for you. Xx

[JoyfulStar]

I agree with Penguin Blue, the risk of rolling is high at this age. I stopped swaddling early on as my daughter was able to kick her swaddle off and I woke up to her having the swaddle cloth loose. Their blankets are meant to be tucked in at the sides. I was too scared of something going wrong so stopped swaddling.

When my daughter refused to sleep, I had no choice but give in to the contact naps so I have no alternative suggestions. I hope you find another solution that works for you and your little one.

[alohalu]

Try a sleep sack with a stretchy fabric, that leaves the arms out. He will feel snuggled but still able to move if he rolls to the face.