Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

We think that this is Sasha's major nap problem. We can get her to sleep, but she is constantly waking herself up. At 4.5 months, I don't think now is the time to start swaddling for naps-- although we still do at night. I think this also helps signify nighttime sleep for her.

I am really trying to work on her sleeping, with full on CIO as a last resort. Any tips-- besides of course holding her for each nap, and swaddling?

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

Personally, I'd try to swaddle her during naps to see if it helps. She *will* eventually grow out of the reflex, so you won't be swaddling her forever, I promise.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

I started swaddling them for naps around 4 months. It made a world of difference.
IMO there is nothing wrong with it. They will outgrow it eventually.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

My DS is 2 months and he CANNOT fall asleep without the swaddle. He is swaddled for naps and bed or else he would never sleep. I always feel bad putting him the swaddle everytime he sleeps but thats teh only way he will sleep.

It doesnt last forever. Plus my guy is so wiggly.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

Posted by InShock

Personally, I'd try to swaddle her during naps to see if it helps. She *will* eventually grow out of the reflex, so you won't be swaddling her forever, I promise.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

Sofia had this exact problem and we bought her the miracle blanket. It wrapped her up like a burrito but it really works wonders. They sell it at BBB.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

for those that swaddled-- how did you distinguish nighttime from nap time? I am worried she'd get confused.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

Message edited 6/15/2009 7:12:36 PM.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

My DD also has a very strong startle reflex (she's three months old). I do swaddle her at night using the miracle blanket and it works wonders. She does take naps during the day - either in her stroller or the swing. I cannot get her to nap in the pack n play or crib - probably because she's not swaddled. At this point, she is napping, so I think I'll avoid using the swaddle then. If your DD is not napping well at all, I would use the swaddle for the time being. It will give her the sleep she needs during the day. She will eventually grow out of the reflex and the swaddling won't be an issue. GL!

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

My DD is almost 5 months and the ped told me that she should not be swaddled at this point anymore. I stopped swaddling her (we were only doing it at night) and she was waking once to twice an hour. Needless to say, we are back to swaddling.

I did some research on the web about it and a lot of what I read said that they should not be swaddled during the day as it can affect their motor skills. That being said, I am also a BIG believer in "mommy gut" and you should go with what yours says.

I am planning on swaddling DD at night until she can roll over (she is getting there and I think it will happen soon) and then sleeping her on her belly. When they are on their belly, they don't jerk their arms up so they don't wake up.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

Swaddling was the only thing that helped my DS with this reflex issue.

DS never had an issue with hte naptime/night time different.
I would say just make a strict routine and stick to it! At night read teh same books, do the same things etc. Also someone told me to nap your child in the PNP and NOT the crib, that the crib was for long periods of sleep only.

GL!

ETA: we stopped swaddling for bedtime at 7 months and for naps at 9 months! So obviously DS needed the swaddle for naps more so than bedtime. I think as he got older the swaddle was his signal to relax and sleep...

Message edited 6/15/2009 9:14:06 PM.

Re: Did anyone have a baby with a strong Startle Reflex?

DS had the worst Startle reflex...we swaddled at night until 7 months old

Naps were an issue for us also but eventually their nervous systems become mature and they startle less