Getting Baby To Sleep

At three weeks old my daughter was sleeping for four to five hours at a time. Don’t get me wrong, every once in a while she would still throw me for a loop, but for the most part, I counted my blessings and the hours of uninterrupted sleep I was afforded. There were several things that contributed to our success, one of which was the use of swaddle blankets. Swaddle blankets can add hours to your newborn’s sleep.

Some of the Benefits of Swaddling

Swaddle blankets are highly effective at getting your baby into a comfortable and restful state because being swaddled reminds baby of being in the womb. Swaddling provides babies with additional nurturing and prevents limbs from swinging about. It has been shown to help babies stay on their backs longer, a position proven to lower the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Swaddling soothes and comforts, reducing colic and helping your baby to sleep longer.

Additional Benefits of Swaddle Blankets

Using swaddle blankets like the SwaddleMe or the Miracle Blanket can be even more beneficial than the conventional blanket swaddling. For one, swaddle blankets can be easier to use. The Swaddle Me is great when you’re exhausted and need something fast and simple. The Miracle Blanket may take a little longer to get into but it is extremely effective at keeping baby securely swaddled. My daughter likes to try to wriggle her arms and kick her legs out. A conventional swaddle didn’t work for her. Despite her nightly efforts, she has not been able to wriggle out of the Miracle Blanket (and she sleeps the longest in it). Design features like long strips of fabric, self-fastening tabs and Velcro flaps help to make sure that baby remains snug and secure. Some swaddle blankets, like the SwaddleMe are designed with a back slit so that you can swaddle baby in a car seat or swing and many of them are designed with a bottom flap for easy diaper checks.

Last night was the first time since we brought her home that we didn’t swaddle our daughter. Her swaddle blankets were soiled and so I reluctantly put her down in nothing but her footed pajamas. I was amazed at the difference. The longest she slept was for a three hour stretch. Other than that she woke up every two hours. That being said, I have to encourage you to get several swaddle blankets so that you and your baby get plenty of sleep in the nights ahead.

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