So Long Swaddle

I fully believe in the benefits of swaddling a baby.  We swaddled both our kids.  Joshua outgrew it sooner than Kayla did but both enjoyed it.

I tried to swaddle Kayla with her arms out few a times when she was younger but she wouldn't fall asleep. I figured since she liked sucking on her hands so much that she would rather have access to them to self sooth but all that hand sucking just kept her awake. I waited a few more weeks and tried again and the same thing happened so we decided to continue swaddling her a little longer.  She really seemed to like being swaddled. If she was fussing as I was getting her ready for a nap or bedtime she would almost always settle down as soon as I pinned down her arms. 

Kayla's swaddle journey...

One of her first swaddles in the hospital.

 

We got to a point where she seemed to not like the swaddle and would get mad when we swaddled her but she wouldn't sleep without it.  So a few weeks after trying the hands out I decided to try to swaddle her with her legs out since she loves to kick.  This really seemed to work well for her and she was back to enjoying her swaddle. 

 

Here is what a feet out swaddle looks like. 

 

 

Soon, this is what it turned into...

She started busting her arms out.

 

Then it turned into this...

 

The swaddle cape!

 

After about a week of swaddling her with her legs out and finding her with both arms out and the swaddle around her neck like a cape we knew it was time for the swaddle to go. 

 

We did a few days of swaddling with one arm out then both then a few days of the swaddle just around her waist. 

 

"I'm free!"

 

Look at that cute, chunky thigh. 

 

 Now we are swaddle free and thankfully she transitioned just fine. 

 

                                    

Now that she has more freedom to move I often find her sleeping on her side or her tummy. 

 

As much as I love the swaddle I am so not sad to see it go.  It was great while it lasted but happy its time has come to an end.  Saying goodbye to the swaddle is not forever though as I am sure there will be more babies to swaddle in our future :)