Lauren Rodych-Eberle
Calgary, Alberta, CANADA

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Why We Choose Not to Swaddle Our Babies
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Blog, Parenting

Why We Choose Not to Swaddle Our Babies

April 6, 2022
-
Posted by Lauren Rodych-Eberle

Prior to having our first baby, I learned the technique of swaddling. My husband learned the technique of swaddling. I bought “pre-swaddled” blankets, or whatever you want to call them…swaddle blankets that do the work for you with their velcro-assistance! Then, I had our baby, and I realized I would not be swaddling. Not her, or our future babies. Once she was earth-side, I just had this instinct – I felt like it would restrict her from what her body and her reflexes needed her to do. Also, I knew it wasn’t safe to swaddle baby while breastfeeding, while contact napping, or while bedsharing, so really, when was I going to have her swaddled?

Now, some people love swaddling. Some people say some of their babies like being swaddled, and some don’t. Many “sleep experts” think of it as a necessity. But when my heart strings pulled at me to not do something that was seeming to be the norm, which if you know me, is more common than not, I began to read, and research, and learn, and wonder.

My usual parenting disclaimer, I am not an expert. And I am not telling anyone what to do or not to do. I am simply sharing my thoughts and my understanding, for you to take and then explore further.

What is Swaddling?

Swaddling is wrapping a baby tightly in blankets. You often see a newborn wrapped like this at the hospital. The technique is often said to resemble the feeling of baby being in the womb (which I slightly disagree with, because in the womb, my baby could kick and punch all she wanted, and her limbs weren’t restricted), and it’s meant to calm baby and help them sleep. Many sleep experts also say it’s used to restrict baby’s startle reflex, which is also called the moro reflex (again, I personally didn’t want to restrict something that is biologically there for a reason, even if it would mean more sleep for me). Also, if you think about it, why do we demonize this reflex in babies when we honour their sucking reflex and other primary reflexes that are there for a reason and good for brain development and in support of our baby’s nervous system? Because, this one impacts our sleep! Although babies need to experience the startle reflex, contact sleep and safe bedsharing does help settle baby much quicker after being disrupted by the startle reflex. Please also note that the startle reflex does not last forever. I do understand how those who have their baby in a separate sleep environment enjoy the comfort that the swaddle can offer them, so again, you will know what is right for you and your babies!

How Long Can You Swaddle For?

You can only swaddle until baby can roll over. For C, this was by 2 months, which meant swaddling would have been short-lived anyway. I also have a suspicion that is not grounded in any research other than me talking to other parents, but I believe babies who are not swaddled tend to learn to roll over sooner. I’m not saying it’s good or bad to reach these developmental milestones earlier, it just simply is. However, by the time your baby can roll over (usually for sure by 4 months) you will need to say goodbye to the swaddle and find another alternative to comfort baby during their sleep (or their wakes, rather).

Why Do People Swaddle?

The main whys or pros of swaddling are longer sleeps for baby, soothing of baby, and there is some belief that it can reduce the risks of suffocation, as baby is more likely to stay on their back in the position they were laid down in [please note that on the opposite spectrum, babies waking more often, which can occur from not being swaddled, also reduces the chance of SIDS, because of baby “practising” waking]. While all of those things sound wonderful, looking at those, I still chose not to swaddle because I realized newborn babies are meant to wake (and it is a good thing to wake), I was happy (and able) to be the source to soothe my baby, and I knew the risk of SIDs and suffocation also went down by having a safe sleep environment, and having my baby close to me. Plus, more wakes, meant more feeds, which was not only good for my milk supply, but also wonderful for our breastfeeding relationship!

The Reasons We Chose Not to Swaddle

So, I’ve been giving you bits and pieces already on why we chose not to swaddle. Some other things that made me not want to swaddle is for regulating baby’s temperature – I wanted to make sure she was warm and cozy, but not too hot. I also wanted her to have as much skin-to-skin contact as possible for all the many health benefits that it brings, and the bonding, that has led to our beautiful attachment-relationship, and as I said above, a successful breastfeeding relationship. Hip dysplasia was another concern for me, when it came to babywearing, and swaddling. With babywearing, I learned how to get baby’s hips in the proper position, so those who choose to swaddle can most definitely learn how to safely swaddle as well, not only for their hips, but also for safety when it comes to breathing safely through the night.

Overall, the cons for swaddling outweigh the benefits for our family. I share this, because this is a question I get often and I wanted to have a source for people to refer back to. Again, please do what works for your family. If you choose to swaddle, give yourself some time to learn and practise. If you choose not to swaddle, know that there are so many other ways you can help soothe your baby.

Good luck in your not swaddling, or swaddling, journey!

April 6, 2022
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ABOUT ME
I’m Lauren and I have a deep passion for music, food, the outdoors, and travel. I love random questions and fun facts, and am always searching for better ways to bring wellness and health into my life. I am the owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio, where I teach voice, piano, ukulele, and preschool music classes – via Skype and within Calgary. I am a Senior Consultant for Pampered Chef, which has inspired me over the years to write two cookbooks (plus one mini ebook cookbook), that have food preparation made easy in the forefront.
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Did you hear?! We created a Foundation. I am so pr Did you hear?! We created a Foundation. I am so proud, honoured,  and grateful that this is something we could do, to “build a longer table, rather than a taller fence.” And…it’s all for the kids! Everything that will come of it is all a work in progress, but I so appreciate any and all of your support. If you want to go give our page a follow, you can see all the ways in which we are aiming to support kids (and parents) in raising the next generation!

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When our schedules line up to have time together…🤍 [with our little in tow]

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Well…it happened….I finally had to buy toilet paper again. 8 months later…🧻
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But for next season, we have decided to bring a yard back into our lives!! So in a month, we are moving all of our stuff into storage until the fall. C has been a complete champ at rental house hunting with me, which has not been easy! Before our move in a month we still have three different groups of visitors, a long weekend trip for C and moi, and of course all the normal life things. So, basically what I’m saying is, “bring it on, April!”

Tell me something you have planned for next month, AKA 2 days away, AKA April!!
“If I could write a letter to me and send it bac “If I could write a letter to me
and send it back in time to myself at 17… I'd end by saying have no fear, these are nowhere near the best years of your life.” - Brad Paisley

He was right…they just keep getting better with you 🤍

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#highschoolsweethearts
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Did you hear?! We created a Foundation. I am so pr Did you hear?! We created a Foundation. I am so proud, honoured,  and grateful that this is something we could do, to “build a longer table, rather than a taller fence.” And…it’s all for the kids! Everything that will come of it is all a work in progress, but I so appreciate any and all of your support. If you want to go give our page a follow, you can see all the ways in which we are aiming to support kids (and parents) in raising the next generation!

#sticksandstringsfoundation @sticksandstringsfoundation
When our schedules line up to have time together…🤍 [with our little in tow]

Also highly recommend seeing the cherry blossoms when they are no longer in peak bloom…all the space to yourself!

Also, starting Alphabet Date Night/Day again this spring/summer in Calgary, so taking suggestions as of now! What can’t we miss doing in YYC?!
Did you know peppers have more Vitamin C than oran Did you know peppers have more Vitamin C than oranges?

Now you do. You’re welcome. 

#lepamperedchef
Another round of toilet paper talk! Remember at t Another round of toilet paper talk!

Remember at the beginning of the season when J told my family I was no where near a (wannabe)minimalist, because the amount of toilet paper we moved from New York was outrageous? [Please also note we were one of the households that had no toilet paper in New York when toilet paper was literal gold, but I had peri bottles from postpartum and we happily made homemade bidets].

Well…it happened….I finally had to buy toilet paper again. 8 months later…🧻
When J and I were in grade 10, he kept turning aro When J and I were in grade 10, he kept turning around to me in Math Class and asking me to come watch one of his hockey games. I kept saying something along the lines of, “No, thanks. Can you stop distracting me, please? I’m trying to get my math done.” [So he knew what he was in for when he married me]. Anyhow, one time, I must have been over the requests, and I said, “Okay, sure, ya I’ll come.” I didn’t… I never showed. I got a call from him after the game saying I owed him for my no show, and he asked if I’d come hang out with his team. I agreed if I could bring about 6 friends along. Little did I know that one day I’d make mini versions of him…🤣
This was the end of the season last year, when we This was the end of the season last year, when we took our baby to Montauk!! We thought we’d be returning to New York, so left our house ready to come back in the fall, and then that wasn’t the case. Because we didn’t have time to scout out areas in Seattle, we decided to downsize our belongings (thank you, @anitarusso11 for being my godsend in New York), and rent an apartment for the season in downtown Seattle. Our plan was always one season to try it out. We have absolutely loveddd experiencing every inch of downtown, and experiencing apartment living with a toddler, even though having all our outdoor gear scattering around the apartment is always pure chaos!

But for next season, we have decided to bring a yard back into our lives!! So in a month, we are moving all of our stuff into storage until the fall. C has been a complete champ at rental house hunting with me, which has not been easy! Before our move in a month we still have three different groups of visitors, a long weekend trip for C and moi, and of course all the normal life things. So, basically what I’m saying is, “bring it on, April!”

Tell me something you have planned for next month, AKA 2 days away, AKA April!!
“If I could write a letter to me and send it bac “If I could write a letter to me
and send it back in time to myself at 17… I'd end by saying have no fear, these are nowhere near the best years of your life.” - Brad Paisley

He was right…they just keep getting better with you 🤍

Also, how about that DVD collection?!

#highschoolsweethearts
I just want to eat Pho all day, everyday. Is that I just want to eat Pho all day, everyday. Is that too much to ask?
"Thank you for the early wake-ups. Because of you, "Thank you for the early wake-ups.
Because of you, I will never sleep away my life.

Thank you for the bedtime troubles.
Because of you, I will always know how it feels to be needed.

Thank you for your sweaty hand in mine.
Because of you, I will always know what it feels like to hold on to life. 

Thank you for taking your sweet time.
Because of you, I will never rush through all the best parts.

Thank you for making me laugh until I cry.
Because of you, I will always know how to feel young at heart.

Thank you for counting on me.
Because of you, I will always know that giving up is not an option.

Because of you, I will always have
someone who comes to my arms for comfort,
someone who grants unlimited do-overs,
someone who never runs out of kisses,
someone who reminds me that the best days are not defined 
by grand occasions or money spent, but simply by the
fact that I am in the company of someone who loves me."
-Rachel Macy Stafford

Happy birthday, my love🤍

#babyrodycheberle
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Owner of Miss Lauren’s Music Studio. Author of the Brownie Pan Every Damn Day Cookbooks. Consultant for Pampered Chef. Lover of Random Questions.

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