Hi Jessica, Actually, the AAP report did NOT say | Colic Baby Solution

Hi Jessica, Actually, the AAP report did NOT say …

Comment posted on Is Swaddling Bad for Babies? by Dr_Karp

Hi Jessica,
Actually, the AAP report did NOT say that swaddling was a problem…they didn’t mention it at all!
In fact, two of the authors of the report just released a booklet on safe sleep recommending swaddling for babies who are fussy sleepers. The evidence shows that proper swaddling (without overheating, not on the stomach) probably reduces SIDS and accidental suffocation! I know it’s confusing, but those are actually the facts.

Happy New Year, Dr. Karp

Dr. Karp

Dr_Karp also commented

Hi Kelli, Thanks for that input! Many native american tribes use/d swaddling till 6 months and longer…and their kids grew up very agile and strong.
Hi Pei,
THe American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend cushioned devices like that one…and it will not reduce a child’s need for swaddling. So I would use the swaddling (in a regular thin blanket) and strong white noise to help promote sleep.

I hope that helps. Dr. Karp
Hi Taddie,
Take a look at some of the earlier answers I wrote on this site…they will answer your Q (the key is the right type of white noise as loud as a shower dor all sleep).
Take care, Dr. Karp
Hi Christine,
Good Qs. As I have discusses on this site in the past…it is super important to use the right kind of white noise all night and naps (rough and rumbly, not hissy – that’s why we made a specially engineered CD/itunes tracks). That will help you wean the swaddling (4-5 months)…to improve his holding the paci – look at the demonstration of “reverse psychology” on the baby DVD (or in my baby book).
Good luck!
Dr. Karp
Hi Bahareh,
Please don’t worry! Swaddling a baby 24 hours a day can temporarily delay his motor skills…but they always catch up. HOWEVER, just swaddling for sleep periods has no effect on motor skills (after all they are not really exercising while they sleep). You should use a large blanket so he doesn’t escape the wrap…and use sound (like our white noise download on itunes) all naps/nights…it acts like a teddy bear of sound…keeping babies calm and promoting sleep (even through teething, growth spurts and other distractions)…for at least the first year. And, it makes weaning the swaddling so much easier.

Salaam alekum, Dr. Karp

Recent comments by Dr_Karp

When do I have to stop swaddling my baby?
You don’t have to…but most parents find that the best way to learn these counterintuitive methods is to watch the DVD a few times (to master the basic techniques)…and then the book is much more understandable. Good luck!
Crying Or Colic?
Hi Lette, Sorry it has been a struggle for you. I don”t know how old your child is, but when parents tell me the 5 S’s are not working 90% of the time it is because they are not being done exactly right. Unfortunately, the techniques can be a little tricky (that’s why we made a DVD …it is easier to learn the 5 S’s by watching someone else do them). Swaddling is key to success…unwrapped babies tend to fuss longer and wake more often….and they then need strong white noise (when he is crying…play it as loud as a hair drier! then as he calms play it as loud as a shower)….and finally some need to sleep – fully wrapped – in the swing all night (as I describe in my new sleep book). And if you are sure you are doing everything right and they are STILL not working, you should have your child checked by his doctor.
When do I have to stop swaddling my baby?
Hi Anne, As I discuss in my new sleep book, infants who can escape the swaddling are not being swaddled properly (big enough blanket? arms snug?) or they may need to sleep swaddled in a fast moving swing all night…I recommend you double check your technique with your doctor or on The Happiest Baby DVD). Also, make sure the sound is as loud as a shower…and try a more rumbly, rough noise (I discuss this in other responses on this page). Best of luck! Dr. Karp
When do I have to stop swaddling my baby?
Hi Talia, Make sure you are using a rumbly white noise CD (all night/naps…as loud as a shower)…this will improve his sleep…but if he is still trying to roll over, I recommend you ask your doctors permission to swaddle him (with the white noise playing) and then buckle him snugly into a fully reclined (flat) swing or infant seat.
Take care, Dr. Karp
When do I have to stop swaddling my baby?
Hi Barbara,
Don;t worry…she won’t go to college needing to be swaddled! Some babies seem to need swaddling even to 8, 9, 10 months…but what helps to wean it faster is to use a rough, rumbly white noise CD for all naps and night sleep. (I usually recommend track 5 or 6 of our specially engineered CD…played about as loud as a shower.)
Have fun! Dr. Karp