The Swaddle Breaker

He may never be known for his brilliance or his athletic ability or even for his chili cooking skills, but he will forever go down in the books as an expert swaddle breaker.

It's kind of a vicious cycle anyway... he doesn't sleep well when he isn't swaddled because he flings his hands around, hitting his head and waking himself up.  However, there isn't a swaddle he hasn't escaped.

How do you get a baby to sleep that isn't swaddled?
How do you keep a baby swaddled that isn't asleep?

However, it's pretty darn fun to watch him at his craft.  The best part is when that first hand gets free; nothing but raw pleasure on his face.



Sometimes in the morning I go in and he has the blanket down around his ankles.

And, don't think we aren't swaddling correctly.  Ray's watched youtube videos and takes the challenge seriously.

And, don't think we aren't doing it tight enough.  We've tried tag-teaming it in order to not get a millimeter of slack.

The facts are simple... our son has a gift.


Comments

Rachel said…
Cali, did you watch 'Babies'? I thought it was funny and ingenious when the nurse in the Mongolian hospital (? I guess that's where they were from... they had yurts..) swaddled and then tied the swaddle with TIGHT mummy strips of cloth. I thought she might pinch the head off as tight as she was making those knots. Worth a try? Just don't show any evidence in case child abuse is an issue. Of course, you can always trust Grant Rachel with your secret and email me a picture.
Cassidy said…
One time Carter pulled his arm completely out of his outfit and up through the neck of his shirt in order to get out of his swaddle. Babies are fun to watch. Maybe Houdini and Levin should swap names?
I'm speechless. I've started and erased several comments. I'm speechless. Other than I can attest to the fact that Ray has watched youtube after youtube (he started watching them in the hospital while eating pizza) and became very proficient at the swaddle.

I am so glad you are posting. Thank you.
Deidra said…
Swaddled or unswaddled, as long as they sleep, I think that's what matters. Now that we've got a roller on our hands we are supposed to give up the swaddle. I don't know what's worse, a baby who can break free from the swaddle or breaking your baby from the swaddle habit.
Mike and Lisa said…
Have you looked into special swaddle blankets? I had the Miracle Blanket for Claire when she was little...and it works awesomely. http://www.miracleblanket.com/

But if your son has a special gift...this may not do it either. ;)
hennchix said…
Maybe a sleep sack?
Samantha said…
It sounds like your son has a gift. You've probably tried this, but I thought I'd put my two cents in, since my twinnies LOVED getting their hands up by their faces. Our tricks were 1) make sure the blanket is big enough that you can get a really strong tight swaddle. there are lots of "swaddling blankets" that i found where too small to swaddle with. They need to be a little bigger. 2) we didn't really do it like they do it on youtube. Kyle put baby at the edge of the baby and literally rolled the baby (haha) with their arms to their sides until it was tight like a burrito. Worked great. (don't judge. they slept way better!)
Marcia said…
It's called a cradel board. The natives had it right when the swaddled and then CINCHED them in.
Haley Krumblis said…
PS that smile looks familiar....the mischievous smile...the smile that says, "yes, I did eat all the bread out of the middle of the loaf, fill it with marbles for weight make-up and then hid it in the dryer before mom comes home." :)
Carolyn said…
Duct tape maybe? If he broke that swaddle, I'd say give him a gold medal!