Swaddle alternatives

[mle106]

My LO (4.5 wks) fights the swaddle, even the ones with Velcro, so I'm looking for some alternatives to help with the startle reflex when he sleeps. He currently sleeps in the swing so it's not an issue, but soon we are going to start trying his crib for sleep and want to be ready.

Any experience with options like the Miracle Blanket, Woombie, Merlins Magic Sleepsuit, Zipadee-zip, or others? TIA!

[moonandback]

I used the woombie with both kiddos and it worked really well. The fabric is more pliable and allows LO to hold their hands together and soothe themself a little bit because they can shove it up in their mouth a little if really trying.

It was obnoxious with a wubbanub though. LO's hand knocked it out of his mouth and off his body.

I think the zipadeezip is recommended for 5+ months.

[jesster88]

I had a nb sized woombie and used it for the first month. I really liked it and like pp said Ds would sometimes put his hand to his mouth through the fabric. DH loved the woombie because it is so simple. Summer Infant has a similar version but I didn't care for it because the fabric would stretch out and not contain his arms.

DS is 3 months now and we love the halo swaddle. I swaddle with his arms bent and he can get his hand to his mouth/face if he wants and the swaddle sort of supports his arm in place. With his arms out he ends up flailing as he tries to get his hands to his face or he will keep waking up because his hand won't stay put as he sleeps.

[flcl]

We used the merlin magic sleep suit to help transition LO from the swaddle to the sleepsack. Since LO was a master at breaking out of the swaddle at a month, he needed something more than the sleepsack to help with his startle reflexes. We were able house the magic sleep suit until he was able to roll in it. At that point, transitioning to a slipcack was really easy.

[SpinsOffResonance]

We started out with the Halo Swaddle & sleepsack, DD didn't like it. So we switched to the woombie. Loved it, it's much lighter weight in warm weather and impossible to break out of. When she outgrew it (started rolling) she went into a magic Merlin suit around 4months old. It was good for the transition but I wouldn't recommend for a newborn because diaper changes are not easy. After she outgrew the Merlin she went into a zipadee zip. It's really just a sleepsack with arms. I love it for a sleepsack, but I'm not sure it really helps with the startle reflex. She's 10 months old now and still in the zippy. I dont like that the new ones are polyester.

[LanE]

We used a woombie halo sleep sacks and miracle blanket, I have to say the miracle blanket was far better. I could get a tightest wrap in it which kept my DD content.

[nerdalert]

I don't have advice about those products, but my LO hated and fought being swaddled too. At three weeks old, I just stopped swaddling altogether and she's been sleeping in footed sleepers ever since (almost 5 months now). She likes to sleep with her legs apart and her arms up above her head. Just thought it might be helpful to know that not every kid needs to sleep wrapped up tightly. If your LO startles awake a lot then this may not work, but just thought I'd share my experience!

[chuggles1013]

My LO hates being swaddled too, she hates being restricted and likes to have her hands up. We used the woombie and swaddle pods until I found the flying squirrel swaddle. She loves it and sleeps amazing with her legs however she wants and her arms up. www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B005ULUZIQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_6?qid=1429049938&sr=8-6&pi=AC_SX110_SY165_QL70&keywords=swaddle&dpPl=1&dpID=41-bcWamlXL&ref=plSrch

[catspajamas]

If the issue is that your LO is able to break out of the swaddle then I highly highly recommend the "swaddle strap". It worked like magic for my girls... It has little pillows to keep them from from being able to bend their arms and sleep them out. I don't know why every hospital isn't sending parents home with those things! I have also heard good things about the alternatives you mention but I haven't used them myself.

ETA: sorry for the bump, I didn't realize how old the original post was