Weaning from wrapping

[Mrs Little]

My bubs is 3 months old. It has been really hot the last few days and he gets quite hot and sticky in his wrap. I am aware that eventually i will have to stop wrapping him. I have been only wrapping his arms only for a few weeks (and in the pram). He only seems to need the wrap so he doesn't bash himself while sleeping. He seems quite restless when sleeping.

How do i go about transitioning him to no wrapping? I have read that some people go cold turkey...how do u settle them then? What age should i start to worry about not wrapping him? Would it be easier to do it now, rather than later down the track?

Thanks.
Mrs Little & Son.

[drewid]

Hi there

A few ideas...

- have you tried changing wraps? something lighter, a bit more breathable?

- i didn't go cold turkey when weaning Andrew from the wrap, I just started off by wrapping him and then tucking him in with a sheet. After a few sleeps, I just started tucking him in, no wrapping. He was fine! He was still wearing scratch mittens at that point, and we had no worries with him bashign himself (or if he did, it didn't bother him!)

- other ways to settle: feed to sleep, rocking, dummy, soothing music, patting.

Some babies like to be wrapped for a long time - some not. All you can do is try, and see how your bub responds. Its totally up to you whether to perservere, or to stay with works.

Hope some of that helps :)

[lucyp]

I'm a trifle embarassed to admit - but my son was wrapped until he about 9months old!! He did however doa houdini on it and escape - but it seemed to signal to him that it was time for sleep :)

This said - Next time - I would probably do it earlier rather than later!

What made it easier for us - was transition fron wrap to sleeping bag/grobag. He loves it now and they come in all different weights for different weather. We did have a few broken nights of sleep - but came out the other side almost sleeping sounder in the sleeping bag than the wrap!

Good luck !

[Mrs Little]

Well i spoke to husband about all of the suggestions and we spoke to a few friends about what they did with wrapping.

I figured it's probably better to wean him from wrapping now ( 3 months) than waiting till he is older. It will only make it harder....and it is rather hot at the moment so not wrapping would be helpful.

He only seems to want his hands wrapped. So for the last few days i have settled him in the wrap and then when i put him down i gently undo it and only keep his hands tucked in.

My son also likes to sleep with his hands up by his head....looks cute!! I watched him sleeping the other morning and saw that he likes to play with the wrap in his hands while he sleeps. So i've tried mittens on his hands for the sleep he is having now...and he seems to be doing well.

I just can't figure out how to settle him without the wrap....it's become part of our routine- he knows wrapping means bed time. Any suggestions?

Mrs Little & Son.