Swaddling

I can't remember why we did it, but we did and it was awesome, i believe its to stop tiny babies from jerking themselves awake, the wrap makes them feel all snug and like they are still in the womb or something.

I ended up wrapping DS for about 7 months he slept so well wrapped, when I tried to take him out of the wrap he flapped so much he just couldn't get to sleep.

We bought to miracle wraps, but any large blanket would do, specifically designed wraps are just easier to use and wriggly babies are less likely to escape.

Swaddling is to prevent the startle reflex.. when they hear a loud noise etc they jerk their arms up this wakes them.

So if they are swaddled then they cant wake themselves up with this movement.

Also, they have been all squished up inside you for so long and to all of sudden have all this space is bit much for them to take, it makes them feel nice and safe to be all wrapped up

Lily was a late summer baby and we only did swaddling because it was shown in antenatal and after her birth once she was all dressed etc the nurse swaddled her for me so I kinda thought 'guess you're meant to!'

One thing with using muslin (summer) or cotton (don't use polar fleece etc, stick with cotton and dress appropriately underneath) is that they are breathable as young bubs can't regulate their temps and can over heat, get cold quick, esp if they get too hot sweat and get cold iygwim.
Another thing with them is sometimes they can break free and if they 'need' to be swaddled it can cause them to wake lots (my dd). We got a miracle wrap (try the sleep store or baby star) and it was fantastic.

DD finally weaned from her wrap at 7.5-8mo and she sleeps much better now but imo not all babies need swaddling so I would do it based on how well baby sleeps being swaddled/unswaddled. DD used to FIGHT being swaddled.

I swaddle new babies, they seem to find it secure/comforting and it prevents the startle reflex from waking them up. Sometimes they just jerk in their sleep for no apparent reason. I use cotton; brushed cotton for my winter baby. Doesn't matter what material too much so long as it isn't too warm and breathes well. What's most important is that it's a good size. I like 120x120, a lot seem to be only 100x100cm.

When they're young, I don't even worry about a top sheet when they're swaddled. As they get older, I wrap them looser so they can unwrap themselves as they wake - kinda like weaning them off it.

I just dont want to get stuck not being able to stop swaddling. We will have our heatpump on 24/7 anyway so will have a warm house

I guess ill just see how i go lol

I swaddled DS till he was 10.5 months. It helped settle him really quickly and although when he was small and overtired he'd fight it, he stopped doing that after awhile.

He ended up deciding he didn't want it by himself, I was starting to wonder how I'd ever get rid of it and then he suddenly started pulling his arms straight out as soon as he was wrapped and didn't seem to like it.

We used large muslin or cotton (just bought from spotlight) and when he was smaller we used miracle wraps and swaddle mes. They were great!

Hmm, mine slept really badly when swaddled, she hated being bound up, and loved to have her legs free.

Her startle reflex, moving arms etc, never woke her up when she was little, and then when older it just was no longer a problem.

As above, best just to have a couple on hand and see if your baby likes it or not.

Mine was also a tummy sleeper (she didn't sleep much otherwise) so it was safer to NOT swaddle so she could support herself on her arms and lift her head easily.

Must be an individual thing - DS sleeps really badly if he's not swaddled.

In winter we used a merino wrap to swaddle him, really easy to use. Now we use thin cotton 100x100 squares (but 120x120 would be fantastic). DH has just figured out a new swaddle for him that is almost impossible to break out of

No, but there sure are some who hog the covers!!!