Swaddling and self soothing

[MeredithK]

About 2 weeks ago, we introduced a swaddle to my 7 month old DS. Honestly, I don't know if it's helping with sleep or not, but I was wondering something. Do you think that swaddling an older baby prevents them from being able to self soothe?

Not that he was ever able to get to sleep by himself, but I was just thinking that when he wakes up swaddled, his only choice is to cry, fall back asleep, or space out. He usually chooses to cry I have to pat/shh him back to sleep.
Am I just prolonging his need to be helped to sleep (every hour!!)


Any thoughts?

[xelakann]

My daughter is 7 months and we still swaddle her. I worry about her ability to self-soothe or fall asleep on her own. She can not even nap without being swaddled. I can't even hold her and rock her to sleep, she needs to be swaddled. About once a week I attempt let her sleep on her own... but she cries until I swaddle her.

Our compromise is something called the wombie. It is like a sleep sack but no arm holes. So she can still move her arms around but can't get to her face. We use that for naps and the miracle swaddle blanket for bedtime.

[Abraisme]

My DD was swaddled until she was just over 7mo. One day she just simply didn't need it anymore. It was really obvious and a pretty easy transition. She doesn't do anything to self sooth anyway, so I really don't think it matters. Perhaps if you have a dedicated thumb sucker or something it might be a problem, otherwise I say do what ever works.

[cheryllynn]

We swaddled from newborn until about 5/6 months and then no swaddle. If your babe can roll around on their own, I would wonder too especially if DS is not used to it. Maybe try it during naps at first.

[ann_of_loxley]

I wondering about this as well. I was hoping to never need to swaddle. DS1 never needed it. But it seems to be working out great for DS2. But then I often see threads on here about how to 'stop' swaddling... and what then?! lol
Be interesting to read all the replies!

[donutmolly]

We just stopped swaddling DD3 (almost 10mo) and it took a few days for her to transition (ie, she woke up a lot for a week) but it was clear she needed to be done since she was rolling herself over while swaddled and then was stuck like a little worm and got very upset. She has begun sleeping longer stretches since we stopped swaddling, but I think it's mostly because she's got her latest teeth in. She's not sucking her thumb or doing anything to self soothe that she couldn't have done while swaddled, but she sure likes to sleep curled up on her tummy!

[MamaPhD]

We gradually stopped swaddling DD around 4-5 mo when she was able to break free and we let her. Personally, I believe at that age, babies are aware of their body enough where restraining their arms is annoying and constricting to them. Even if they are not "using" their hands (i.e. thumb sucking and what not), arms and hands should be left free for an opportunity to try to do something with them. When you swaddle, you are depriving the baby this opportunty to try.