#14: Why We Don’t Swaddle You

Clara,

Your Papá and I are trying some things that are unconventional. On the one hand, there’s the cross-cultural household you’re being raised in. There are the more natural, organic, unstructured ways of Europe and the stricter conventional ways of the United States. Then there’s also your Californian mom who’s a researcher and a bit granola.

When I got pregnant with you I read over 20 books (including audiobooks) and listened to hundreds of podcasts episodes to prepare for you. I like to be as prepared as possible… even though some things you just can’t prepare for. How do you prepare for sleep deprivation for example?

Last night your father and I were discussing how best to keep you warm at night. Swaddles we had discussed and dismissed well before.

If you go to Google Scholar, you can find articles exploring the efficacy and risks of swaddling.

It’s an ancient practice that only about 20% of the world uses now.

On the one hand, the argument that most North Americans make – it helps babies sleep soundly. It can lead to less disruptions in sleep for little ones like you whose startle reflex awakens you, or whose curious hands may prompt a sudden desire to feed.

On the other hand, it can cause hip dysplasia when the legs are swaddled (but so can wraps and carriers when used inappropriately). It can increase the risk of SUID, particularly to infants foreign to swaddling previously or infants getting ready to roll over. It needs to be used carefully. In much of Europe, it’s not used at all, or only in the fussiest of cases. In Spain, swaddling is not only discouraged, it’s considered dangerous by many – unnatural and restrictive.

We decided in the pregnancy that we wouldn’t swaddle you.

You learned early on on how to stick your hand on your mouth to self soothe, which I’m not sure if you would have figured out so soon if you were swaddled frequently. Plus your pediatrician even advised that if we do swaddle we leave the feet out/able to frog-leg/butterfly out.

1. So for better or for worse, we’re dealing with your lack of sleep in traditional Spanish style. We’re staying up late, eating dinner later, and letting you “fluye”. We’re going with the flow, and we hope you happily go along with us, sweet one.