This subject only seems to be discussed when we discover
that sleep bags are being used for children attending our daycare when they are
at home.
They do not seem like a comfortable and natural way for an
infant to be clothed while sleeping since they essentially restrict their
movements.
Several situations have been shared with us:
-My son had a habit of flailing his arms as soon as we
would put him in his crib. He was so active that he had a hard time falling
asleep and we were advised to use a sleep bag.
-I automatically used one because I thought it would keep my
daughter warmer during the cold months.
-My pediatrician recommended swaddling my infant and using a
sleep bag as a normal thing to do. We never were advised when we should
discontinue it, and finally when he outgrew it, he was always having difficulty
falling asleep and turned into a poor sleeper.
We believe that having an infant sleep on their stomach is
the most natural way. However many of you are following one of the guidelines
of the CDC to prevent SIDS and are having your infant sleep on their back in
their early months. The sleep bag can possibly be a benefit to prevent your infant
from flailing or playing and having difficulty sleeping.
Once your infant can turn over at will, you may want to
place them in regular pajamas. This reduces their ability to play, increases
the soundness of the sleep time, and allows movement upon awakening.
Infants who have had a restful sleep will wake up happy and
entertain themselves in their crib. This is also an environment for their first
experience at pulling themselves up and practicing early waking time.
If you feel safer keeping them in a sleep bag a while
longer, we suggest that it not be past their first birthday.
Movement and independent physical activity and challenges is
an important part of their physical development.
Don’t physically confine you child unless it is in their
best interest.
Good luck!
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