Bat Wing Swaddling

Today, I'm writing about yet another trick in the book that's been a lifesaver for us.

Bat Wing Swaddling.

This is something I learned from mom's group.  This is a technique taught and founded by our group leader, Kimberly Bepler  who is a very experienced and wise postpartum doula.  Do you have a child who is Houdini and can pretty much break out of any swaddle?  Well, I'd be surprised if a kid can break out of a bat-wing swaddle.  AJ is not one of those kids that can break out very easily, but he does have a very strong startling reflex and unless he's wrapped REALLY tight, he WILL startle himself despite being swaddled.

Basically, the technique is very low-budget.  Got an extra receiving blanket?  Done, you have enough to bat-wing swaddle.  The beauty of it all really is that baby's arms are wrapped up in a receiving blanket which is tucked underneath his torso.  It's impossible for his arms to come out due to the weight of his body laying on the tucked blanket.  After his arms are wrapped, then he is swaddled regularly, and then voila! (see video below).

This is really the "magic" behind the miracle swaddle blanket (which we also have).  I found that AJ doesn't really like the miracle blanket ("really mom, this is way too thin, I like my fleece Halo sleepsack").  IMO, the "arm flaps" are too short on the miracle blanket to achieve a good swaddle.   He'll be swaddled for a short nap, but will almost always wake up within 1/2 hour.

Anyways, it's hard to explain via words how to swaddle with bat wings, so here's a video :)  That's not me, by the way.