Question:

Is swaddling cruel?.........?

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When my boy was small, swaddling him was a great way to keep him asleep for longer periods and to make him feel comfortable. Now that he's 3 months old, he likes to move his arms and legs around to play. He also moves them around when he has gas or a bowel movement.

My husband insists on swaddling him when he puts him to bed. And he swaddles him nice and tight (not too tight), so he can't get out of the blanket. It keeps him asleep for HOURS longer than he would be asleep and he isnt constantly getting the "startle" reflex.

But for a three month old, dont you think it's a little cruel? I feel like he is in a straightjacket. Please help me feel better about this, if it is okay.

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13 ANSWERS


  1. Of course it's not cruel, babies like being swaddled, why do you think he sleeps better when swaddled?? They feel warm & safe.

    My son cried his little eyes out when he was swaddled, so i didn;t swaddle him, but your baby seems to like it


  2. Most babies prefer to be swaddled.  I don't think that 3 months is too old.  If your son didn't like it, he would not be comforted by it.  Does he scream and cry when you swaddle him, or does he seem to be calmed by it?  If it calms him it is ok.  If it seems to upset him then I'd stop swaddling him.  

  3. If your baby thought it was cruel, believe me he wouldn't be sleeping longer. He'd be wriggling frantically and screaming the place down! As long as you are not keeping him swaddled when he's awake and wanting to play during the daytime, I think it's fine.

  4. Its not at all cruel! They are in the womb like that for a very long time, its a comfort thing to them, just like sucking a pacifier!! If he isnt complaining crying screaming and is sleeping longer than there is nothing wrong with it! Now when he begins to be adversly affected and relaying that message to you - I would stop then! That might be carrying things too far! But for now he seems to still enjoy it and in fact really need it to get good sleep!

    Keep on swaddling

    ~D~

  5. As you know, swaddling is definitely a form of comfort for little ones. If he sleeps better and longer when he is swaddled, it could only reflect a strong feeling of comfort and security. I wouldn't be worried about it. At 3 months, if he wanted out of it or didn't feel comfortable, he would let you know or just work his way free.  

  6. Not cruel at all.  Obviously your baby feels safe and secure.  He'll let you know if he's not happy with the situation, trust me.


  7. If swaddling is what helps your baby to stay asleep than it is not cruel.  My baby is the same way,  always moving around and waking himself up.  If he would let me I would still swaddle him.  

  8. None of my children liked to be swaddled from day one, they all liked to have their arms and legs free. I don't think swaddling is cruel, but if you're child doesn't want to be swaddled I wouldn't do it!

  9. Around 3 months is when I started trying to "wean" my daughter off swaddling. That's because she started being able to bring her hand to her mouth to suck which allows her to calm herself and fall back asleep easier. By then she also started losing the startle reflex. She also got too big for the swaddle sacks and blankets we had, we found that a sleep sack worked well for her. But to answer your question, no I don't think it's cruel to swaddle!  

  10. I don't think it's cruel. obviously, he's not uncomfortable or miserable or he wouldn't be sleeping for so long. as long as baby is happy and isn't crying/screaming/uncomfortable, keep swaddling him. it seems to actually make your baby happy. and if you're asking if 3 months is too old to swaddle, i would say there's no age limit to it. lots of kids love being tucked in tight to blankets (heck, i still do like it!). stop doing it when your child no longer wants you to.  

  11. babies like the feel since it's like when they were in the womb, and yes it does help with the startling reflex, so it's really up  to your son, once he starts kicking it off like my daughter did it's already time to stop, not only because they don't like it anymore but because it could be dangerous, since they could suffocate, so let your son be the cue.  

  12. the first 2 months i think it is ideal for a baby to be swadled...they say it makes them sleep longer and that they till feel tight safe and sucure as if they were still in the womb... noiw at 3 months i dont think its the besat thing but i'm sure he'l be alright i'd stop before 3  months tho but if you are still doing it. he should be okay. it really dpends on the baby. if he doesnt like it ;-) best wishes with the baby

  13. I swaddled my babies until they were 6 and 7 months old, and I plan to swaddle my third until he no longer benefits from it, or until he outgrows his blankets.

    People have swaddled babies since the beginning of time.  You're not swaddling him during the day, just at night when he needs a little extra help getting to sleep and staying there.  If it were cruel, he would let you know.

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