You’ve finally done it you’re going to be a parent! Congratulations! You’re about to embark on the most amazing journey of your life. But before you do, there’s one more important decision you need to make: what kind of stroller are you going to use?
If you’re planning on having two kids or more, then a double stroller is a must. But with so many different options on the market, how do you know which is the best double stroller for your family? That’s where this article comes in. We’ll help you consider all the important factors, from budget to features, so that you can make the best possible choice for your little ones.
So whether you’re looking for the best double stroller for twins or the best double stroller for a toddler and baby, we’ve got you covered. Keep reading to learn everything you need to know about choosing the perfect double stroller for your family.
Swaddling is a fantastic technique to help your kid transition from the womb to the outside world. You can prevent a child’s startle reaction from waking them during the night and keep them feeling secure and protected when they’re closed by wrapping them up into a tiny kid burrito, holding their arms close to their bodies.
A swaddled infant rests throughout the night as well as during naps!
However, sometimes swaddling can be more harmful than helpful. Once your infant reaches the age when she can pull herself out of a swaddle, you may worry about how she’ll feel without it during nighttime sleep and snoozes and begin to dread the transition.
But don’t worry there are plenty of things you can do to help your child adjust to their new nighttime sleepwear and routine. We’ll help you figure out when to stop swaddling your kid, how to go from swaddling covering to something else, and what items may assist with the process.
Table of Contents
Indications that Your Baby has Outgrown a Swaddle
The American Academy of Pediatric Medicine says that you should stop swaddling your baby by two months old.
The best age to quit swaddling is different for every child, but as a general rule, eight weeks is the soonest, while 12 weeks is the most recent!
These are some of the most common readiness indications:
➢ Fighting being swaddled
➢ Getting out of the swaddle
➢ Starting to rock-and-roll over
➢ Getting up regularly, after having a long history of resting well
➢ Reduced Moro reflex
Why Should You Take Your Child Out of Their Swaddling?
We want them to keep doing so if they’re starting to roll. We want our baby to roll safely and gradually. Therefore you must do what you can to avoid any accidents. You can’t stop it, so make remembrance of it!
Even if they are not rolling around yet, you need to get them out for developmental reasons.
The startle response goes away by 4-6 months, and in my experience, children who keep the swaddle much longer than 12 weeks tend to more easily wake themselves up during sleep as they have become so used to the swaddle.
Should I Just Stop Swaddling Cold Turkey?
If your baby is used to being swaddled, stopping cold turkey might not be good. It could lead to interrupted sleep since the baby will be overwhelmed and confused without their usual sleepwear.
This is where sleep sacks, for example, may come in handy! Weighted vests are an excellent investment to mimic your touch and keep your baby feeling calm with little experience.
In 4 Simple Steps, Here’s How To Get Out of Swaddling.
When it is time to stop swaddling your baby, it is crucial to have a plan ready, so the transition is easy.
We’ve developed a detailed step-by-step plan that you can follow every day to quickly move from a swaddle to a wearable covering in as little as 7-10 days, rather than going cold turkey.
1. Choose a start time to go to sleep, nap, or practice. It’s fine either way! Start removing one arm from the swaddle while still keeping the rest of my arms confined.
2. For the next nap, swap arms! Bring out the other arm after swaddling the arm that was previously free.
3. For the following night waking, exchange! Swaddle the arm that was previously free and remove the other arm.
4. Swap arms for each nap and evening waking and throughout the day.
Follow a 4-Step Swaddle Change Plan.
Just like it takes time to get used to a new sleep routine, a new bed mattress, or a new pillow, children can take some time adjusting when they stop using a swaddle.
This basic strategy will help your baby adapt to sleeping without being swaddled.
We suggest transitioning from a swaddle to a heavy baby sleeping bag. Without the swaddle, your baby’s arms will be free. The heavy sleeping bag’s comforting weight helps the baby feel like they are being held and makes the transition easier.
Step 1: Remove the swaddled arm(s).
Begin by swaddling with only one arm out. Why just one arm? If the Moro-reflex (also known as startle response) is still present, the shut arm will provide resistance to help quell the upheaval caused by the jiggling of both arms. Try it for 2-3 nights.
If there is no Moro-reflex present, you can attempt swaddling with both arms out altogether. Consider trying this for 2-3 evenings. Each youngster is different, so that this procedure may take a few days or weeks.
Step 2: Checking if it’s too early.
Get those arms out after three to four days.
When you’ve tried the one-arm or arms-free service, your baby will let you know if it’s simple to work out in her new condition. Begin by doing this option during nap time so you can observe your kid’s reaction.
If your kid continues to exhibit Moro-reflex symptoms, is restlessness, or if they still wake up several times during sleep periods, it’s probably too early to change. Give it a second go after you’ve tried swaddling for a few weeks.
At first, your youngster may take longer to fall asleep, but this should alter after a few days.
Step 3: Shift to a wearable blankets/sleepwear
Babies need to exercise their muscles, and one way to do this is by playing on their bellies. Staying on their tummy is something they will do a lot of throughout the day, and it’s crucial for their muscles and helps them reach other milestones like crawling.
Experts recommend 5-6 daily tummy time sessions of 3-5 minutes each, with a maximum length of one hour as your child grows older. Offering your baby belly time can help them exercise rolling over, and this is great for sleeping safely without a swaddle.
This gentle pressure can help transition and give a more safe and secure feeling than regular wearable blankets.
The wearable blankets have enough area to expand and develop and eliminate the problem of loose blankets in infant rest areas. Its two-way zipper also makes diaper changes a breeze! Parents that have used it report that their kid sleeps an additional 2 hours every night!
When your baby is firstborn, you should place the weighted component on their upper body as they sleep on their back. It is safest for them to sleep this way until they start to roll over independently.
Remember, consistency is essential, so experiment for 2-3 days before identifying if the option is working or not.
Step 4: When the infant starts to roll over
As soon as your baby can roll over, it is time to stop using the swaddle and start using a sleep sack.
Sleepsacks can help you feel more secure and safe when switching to them from wearable blankets.
Sleepsacks provide plenty of areas for your baby to move and eliminate the safety problem of loosened coverings in their rest area.
Its 2-way zipper also makes changing baby diapers a breeze. Its two-way zip helps moms change their infants faster and easier! Furthermore, its zippered interior allows infant diaper modifications to be windless! According to moms who have used it, their kids sleep an additional two hours on average!
Once again, uniformity is essential, so persist for 2-3 days before identifying if the remedy is functioning.
Adjustment Duration
It can be helpful to have a plan for how you will adjust your infant’s routine. This will help you stay organized and know what to expect. If you want to stop swaddling your infant, it will take a couple of weeks to go through all the change phases we looked at.
You’ll want to allow for 3 or 4 nights where one arm is out of the swaddle, followed by one more three or four evenings when both of your infant’s arms are out.
These are just some general guidelines. You will need to adapt them to your child’s needs. For example, if your child breaks out of their swaddle every evening and rolls over, you won’t want to keep them in a swaddle anymore.
If your baby finds it challenging to let go of the swaddle, you may want to transition more gradually. This involves a few nights added for each step.
What If My Newborn Won’t Sleep Unless They are Swaddled?
When your infant starts to show signs that they don’t want to be swaddled anymore, you’ll need to begin transitioning them right away. They’ll be at a higher risk for SIDS (Sudden Infant Death Syndrome) if you don’t.
But if your child is being picky without their swaddle to keep them cozy with the evening, don’t worry! This is an entirely normal reaction to have and you can usually fix it with a few tips and tricks!
Tips to keep in mind
⦿ Best change swaddle: use a wearable covering with its removable mesh sleeves, it can be easily zippered on or off to allow your infant’s arms out. This can give your youngster a feeling of comfort and familiarity as they transition far from swaddling.
⦿ Sound equipment: White noise serves as an incredibly soothing sound for sleeping infants. When your infant is attempting to sleep, white noise can assist them by drowning out the outside world’s sounds while they rest. Some baby-safe white noise gadgets include a setting that emulates your heartbeat for added convenience!
⦿ Blackout curtains: Reduce the amount of light your baby’s rest area receives during naps and nighttime sleep to help reduce any overstimulation that keeps your infant up.
⦿ Pacifier: this timeless rest aid satisfies your child’s need to suck between feedings and assists with calming fussiness.
Summary
Keep in mind all infants are different, so make an effort to be patient and consistent with your strategy. Adjusting the steps might be necessary to allow a smoother transition for your baby out of the swaddle.