11 October, 2011

Ring Duck For Service

Swaddles have never been much of a challenge for the bug.  We've tried a few recommended baby origami patterns and the Swaddle Me with death-grip-louder-than-it-needs-to-be velcro.  Doesn't matter much.  She can free her arms in her sleep...  With one arm tied behind her back...

The swaddling has been critical and we couldn't have done without it.  She doesn't always remember how to fall asleep and often, when she does, that crazy startle reflex can put a quick end to some hard won nappage.  Yet, swaddling isn't forever, right?  Don't misunderstand.  She's a great sleeper.  (Except when she's not.)

I try to encourage the bug to develop a better hand-eye coordination (Are they making video games for babies yet?) and this seems to be increasing her options for some rather creative swaddle twisting.  A few times I've had to unlock the baby to feed and/or change her.  At least she laughs about it.  (She's not always pleasant to be around when she's impatient.)

This last week a new thing has started.  The sound of a rattle when she should be swaddled.  (We have wrist rattles at the ready on the sides of her bassinet.)  I walk up to her and who knows how long she's been awake or what came first: the free arm, or the wakefulness.  Then I watch her have a grand ol' time smacking that duck-faced wrist rattle like a speed bag, calling out De La Hoya.

We're not quite at the point yet where she can get her quality sleep without the swaddle.  Yet, we're passed the point where it's all that effective.  I don't think there is a hard and fast rule for when to discontinue swaddle use because the answers I've seen have all been vague.  "When it's no longer working."  Define working.  "When she can get out of it."  (Uhhhhh...)

Does anyone have any clarity out there?  If she's gettin' all million-dollar-baby on us, do we just have her figure out for herself how to be still enough to fall asleep and stay asleep?  Or are her calisthenics going to eat into her beauty sleep?  What do you think?

4 comments:

Anonymous said...

None of us are pleasant to be around when we are impatient. Remember bug, cute name, will learn to sleep on her own, given the chance. Stil,l learning to get out of tight spots when you're young is important. Could be some very valuable learning going on.

Raymond Henri said...

Well, anon. I'm just going to try to be patient with her trying to fall asleep without the swaddle every now and then to see how she's coming along. Thanks. I've taken your valuable learning observation and broken out some handcuffs, zip ties, and chains. She should be able to put on quite the talent show by fifth grade...

Anonymous said...

I bet Houdini's parents had a similar experience when he was a young'un. Can you imagine their bed time routine? "Honey, did you remember to put a clean diaper on Ehrie before you locked his swaddling blanket? Good, I'm going to hang him upside down now so we can get some sleep..."

Raymond Henri said...

I suppose so, FastFoodKnight. There's getting out of a tight spot... Then there's getting out of a tight spot. I'm hesitant to encourage her escapist routine lest I look into the back seat to find an empty car seat and the door locked from the inside. It's bad enough that the WubbaNub disappears.