My wife and I have been swaddling our 9 month old for naps and nighttime since birth. Now we can’t get him to sleep without it! Help!

Currently there is only one version of The Happiest Baby on the Block book. Chapter 15; titled “The Magical 6th “S” : Sweet Dreams!”, covers sleep patterns, weaning from the 5 S’s (swaddle), etc. It is not uncommon for some babies to need to be swaddled at 9 months of age & some may even need it up to a year! You can help wean your son from the swaddle faster by using white noise (either a CD or machine). Dr. Karp highly recommends our ‘Super-Soothing’ Sleep Sounds CD as it contains 5 tracks of specially engineered white noise and is great as it is portable and can be used in cars, DVD/CD players, etc. Many parents find the CD of white noise beneficial for years to come!

It can sometimes be difficult for sensitive, “high-strung” babies to wean out of the swaddle and be in a totally silent room. By playing the CD of white noise continuously throughout the night at the sound level of a soft shower, your son will be able to be in a zone of ‘comfort’ and will not try to struggle against the swaddle until he is ready.

2 Responses to “My wife and I have been swaddling our 9 month old for naps and nighttime since birth. Now we can’t get him to sleep without it! Help!”

  1. Dr_Karp Says:

    Make sure the sound is loud enough (about the intensity of a shower) and rumbly (I think our CD is best)…if she is getting out of the swaddle it means the blanket is not big enough or your technique needs a little tune up…or you might consider getting a pre-made swaddle blanket. If all else fails, you might need to also let her sleep swaddled, belted into the moving swing for 1-2 months.

  2. Dr_Karp Says:

    Hi Cammy,

    I recommend you use strong, rumbly womb sound all naps/nights…for at least the first year. (I believe our specially engineered CD/itunes sounds are the best available and it will help her sleep better, even through teething.) and I recommend letting her sleep swaddled, but belted into a FULLY reclined infant seat or FULLY reclined swing…that way she won’t be able to roll over.
    Dr. Karp

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