After having a rather fussy first baby, then being loaned the Happiest Baby on the Block DVD (this is an amazing tool for new parents!), I quickly realized the magic of the swaddle. There is a long scientific explanation for why babies like to be swaddled, but the short version is that it makes them feel like they're back in the womb again. For most newborn babies, this sense of security makes them feel safe and cozy, and they settle down very quickly. It also prevents them from whacking themselves in the face, which wakes them up. In fact, some babies (but not mine of course) will sleep through the night from the very beginning ONLY if they are swaddled. Some swaddle companies even guarantee longer bouts of sleep! Most babies only need to be swaddled as newborns, during the fourth trimester as some doctors call it (this is the first three months of life when all the baby really wants is to get back in the womb). There is also a very specific technique, which is easy to learn and they usually teach you in the hospital. You really only want to swaddle the upper body (arms/chest), and not the hips. Just thought I'd mention that in case anyone tries to swaddle their baby with no instruction after reading this.
As a newborn, Sapphie needed to be swaddled all the time to calm down, go to sleep, etc. When I figured out her cow's milk issue at 2 months of age, her fussiness almost completely stopped and we rarely needed to swaddle her anymore. By 3 months she was pretty much done with it and was sleeping very well on her back or her side. Once in a while if she was really wired or upset we'd have to swaddle her, but never after 4 months of age. Her brother is a totally different story. He is a HUGE fan of the swaddle and just doesn't seem to want to let it go.
From the beginning, Teo has been a total man if you know what I mean. When he is upset or not feeling well, he feels so sorry for himself that you just want to cry when you look at him. He cries the most pathetic cry and puts his mouth in a long O shape. Even when he was a few days old, his cry would sound like he was saying "Oh, oh, oh!" So sad. Then he would wind up and hold his breath until he was red as a beet...and we would wait for it...and then he would really start wailing! In the beginning, he had serious plumbing issues. We were lucky if he pooped once a week and the two days before the big event, he'd be so fussy he would cry the whole time he was awake. How did we stop the crying? By swaddling him of course! Teo was swaddled during every nap and every night for the first four months of his life. Sometimes, he'd be crying, and Kevin would decide he needed to be wrapped up. Then, Teo would fall asleep mid-swaddle! He's done that on more than one occasion. It's so funny.
When Teo was about four months old, Isaac came over. Teo was asleep and all wrapped up. Isaac came into my room and this look of horror swept over his face.
"What the hell is that??!!"
"What?"
"What are you doing to your kid? I'm calling child services."
"Seriously, you've never seen a swaddled baby? He likes it. It's the only way I can get him to sleep."
"That is totally sick to put your baby in a straightjacket. That's not right."
Fortunately Kim was with him, and she's got baby nieces. She came over and kissed Teo on the head and said "Isaac don't be silly. Babies love being wrapped up into little burritos."
So that made me feel better. Here's the funny part though: do you know any babies that still want to be swaddled at 7.5 months?? I do.
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