Why Are Parents So Anti-Swaddling?

[crazydaycarelady]

I started a new baby today and from what I hear from her parents and aunt & uncle that I also watch for, she is a real bear to get to sleep and does not sleep well.

I am thinking I'll use my ace in the hole and swaddle her, maybe give her a binky also. I have a lot of success with swaddling.

So today at drop-off mom specifically says "no swaddling" and no binky either. Then she readily admits that as soon as they stopped both is when the sleep troubles started.

*sigh*

[butterfly]

I started a new baby today and from what I hear from her parents and aunt & uncle that I also watch for, she is a real bear to get to sleep and does not sleep well.

I am thinking I'll use my ace in the hole and swaddle her, maybe give her a binky also. I have a lot of success with swaddling.

So today at drop-off mom specifically says "no swaddling" and no binky either. Then she readily admits that as soon as they stopped both is when the sleep troubles started.

*sigh*

Swaddling is great. We can't do it here. Against licensing rules due to sids. No blankets can be used for infants under 1 year of age.

Parents maybe fear SIDS?

[Familycare71]

IMO: because they look at it from their point of view instead of the infants...
If it were me I would tell her I need to try something or they need to hire a nanny. I wouldn't listen to a baby cry all day when I knew I could probably solve it but the parent won't let me...

[Blackcat31]

As a parent, why start the child on a habit that will eventually have to be broken later on?

Why not simply teach them good sleep habits from the get-go?

Also swaddling may be super great for some kids, but there are LOTS of articles out there supporting the negative side to swaddling too so like any parenting style, to each his/her own.

If the parent isn't willing to allow you to swaddle, then you'll either have to figure something else out or term them.

[preschoolteacher]

I swaddled my son, and I don't think I'll do it with the next baby! It was SO HARD weaning him from the swaddle. He was able to roll over from back to belly (which is when you need to stop swaddling, as it could be extremely dangerous if he rolled while swaddled and couldn't lift his head), but he couldn't sleep longer than 45 minutes without being swaddled. He'd twitch in his sleep and since he was used to always having his arms swaddled, that little movement would wake him up every time. Months 5-8 were really hard on us in terms of sleep... finally at 8 months old he started sleeping better.

I won't do it next time because I think it created a really bad habit!

[crazydaycarelady]

As a parent, why start the child on a habit that will eventually have to be broken later on?

I agree BC but that is not the case here since their suggestion was that I put her to sleep in the swing. Now THAT is against regs here. They started her with a binky and swaddle, which worked well, quit that, were unsuccessful getting her to sleep and now have resorted to the swing!

[Cradle2crayons]

I agree BC but that is not the case here since their suggestion was that I put her to sleep in the swing. Now THAT is against regs here. They started her with a binky and swaddle, which worked well, quit that, were unsuccessful getting her to sleep and now have resorted to the swing!

Sounds like parents took away the binky and swaddle without adding in sleep training. And poor baby is having a hard time adjusting without comfort measures.

I'd tell mom that while you understand wanting to break those habits, it may not be possible without adding in self soothing measures etc.

Basically I'd given ten bucks saying that the baby gets a binky and swaddle at home and they are wanting YOU to break the baby of those habits instead of them.

[MyAngels]

There have been studies showing that improper swaddling can lead to hip dysplasia, so I won't do it for anyone else's child.

It's against regs here, so even if I could I wouldn't.

I also agree with PPs about starting something that's just going to have to be broken later on.

Better to do proper sleep training from the get-go.

[melilley]

I had a child once (when I worked in a center) whose mom specifically told us no pacifiers. Then went on to say that she uses her finger at home

[blandino]

I would say it is because parents are able to hold and rock and soothe the baby to sleep, instead of swaddling. So it is easy to say don't do it wen you are caring for one child.

I am usually all for things like BC said. I don't like to encourage habits that you will have to break. However, I do swaddle. I won't do it for extended periods, and I don't do it every time, but when they are fussy - a swaddle is my friend.

[BumbleBee]

I don't know why they are. I know here in Michigan we can only swaddle until 4 months so I prefer not to start a habit I'm going to have to break.

[LaLa1923]

As a parent, why start the child on a habit that will eventually have to be broken later on?

Why not simply teach them good sleep habits from the get-go?

Also swaddling may be super great for some kids, but there are LOTS of articles out there supporting the negative side to swaddling too so like any parenting style, to each his/her own.

If the parent isn't willing to allow you to swaddle, then you'll either have to figure something else out or term them.

I am not a fan of sleep crutches!! It's best to work things out and in the long run everyone will be much happier!!

[blandino]

I am not a fan of sleep crutches!! It's best to work things out and in the long run everyone will be much happier!!

Me neither ! But I have a lot of parents who rock and soothe to sleep. So if they are using themselves as a sleep crutch, then there is little difference between that and artifical sleep crutch. IMHO.

I have a 6 mo old DCG, whose mom has put in the tough work early, and she is a champ at sleeping, and putting herself down. She was the first baby we have had in a long time who when she started was able to fall asleep EASILY in a PnP. Now you lay her down, she flips to her tummy, whines softly, and runs her face into her sheet and passes out. Her mom has helped her out so much by doing the tough work at the beginning - and making everything a lot easier for baby & caregivers.

My problem is that parents like that are few and far between with my clients. And I am not a fan of fighting THAT KIND of uphill battle when it comes to an infant, so I will use swaddle and swings.

If it were my own child, I wouldnt rely on sleep crutches.

[jenboo]

The only other thing I could think of would be to try a sleep sack. Its not tight like a swaddle but might give her a little comfort and its not something you would have to wean from because as she gets older, you could replace it with a blanket.

I agree with the self soothing sleep habits but you might have a hard time if the parents aren't willing to do it at home.

[Unregistered]

because every few months a new article comes out and tells us that something else is harming our child or we're sucky parents. I was all for swaddling and then a lot of message boards I subscribe to started posting articles that swaddling was found to be bad. Same thing with binkies. Some research show it's bad for teeth and hurts breastfeeding, others say it prevents SIDS and can actually be good for breastfeeding. It's frustrating. Add cereal to the bottle, it help kids sleep. Don't do that, it makes them fat. Daycare is good for socialization, nope it's horrible and your kids will resent you for leaving them with a stranger. Potty train early- being in diapers too long causes uti's. Oh never mind, potty training early causting constipation. Ugh. Being a parent is hard!