Newborn Magic #2 - The Rock and Play

We're back with some more newborn magic!

Before Amos was born, we had no idea what a Rock and Play was.  Luckily, we have close friends that braved the newborn world a year before us and introduced us to its magic (thanks Nyssa and Reid).  It is essentially a portable bassinet.

Some of its magical qualities include:

Rocking chair frame:  There were many nights, in the beginning, where I felt like Amos and I were up all night long rocking.  Luckily, with the Rock and Play (RnP), this meant I only had to be half awake, nudging the RnP back and forth to keep up the rocking sensation.  This also helps with that initial phase where newborns wake up as soon as you lay them down.  With the RnP, you just do a little rocking action and they are back asleep.

Inclined sling:  Neither of my boys liked lying flat on their backs at first (or ever, for Amos) so I'm thinking this may be the case for all newborns.  The RnP creates a little inclined pocket, perfect for a newborn who still wants to feel like they're in their Momma's tummy.  Silas has been out of his RnP for a little while, but while he's been congested, we moved him back into because  of the incline.

Fold-ability:  Similar to it's counterpart, the Pack and Play, the RnP can be folded up and tucked away for storage or traveling.  Unlike it's counterpart, it is easy to fold.  Press one button and the two sides fold together.  It really makes traveling with a little one easier because it provides a consistent bed.  Even though you are in a new place, the bed is the same.

All of the above equal perfect for a newborn and new mom.

My only caution would be to not keep them in it for TOO long.  We moved Amos over to his crib really early, so we didn't have any problems with converting.  However, Silas was alittle later and took a little longer to adjust to the crib (adjust= didn't sleep well).  At some point, they will be able to climb out of it, so its not a forever bed.

In my book, its definitely worth the purchase, even though you can only use it for a limited time.  During those first few months, you'll do anything to get your baby to sleep.

Newborn Magic #1 - The Swaddle

As we near the end of the newborn phase once again, I wanted to create a list of all the things I love for this phase of life.  We didn't have too long between Amos and Silas' being newborns, but it will (hopefully) be a little longer before we have another and I don't want to forget.

THE NECESSITY OF THE SWADDLE:
Something that I consider ABSOLUTELY a necessity is a swaddle.  From day 1.  With Amos, I didn't know about the magic of the swaddle first hand, but I had read so many recommendations for it that I gave it a try.  And I'm so glad I did!  Once Amos was wrapped in that thing, he was good to go.  There were a few times we forgot the swaddle and it wasn't pretty.  With Silas, we knew we needed from the start.  In fact, I brought one to the hospital.

People that haven't seen the swaddle in action don't fully understand its magic.  It seems natural to think that a baby would hate it because we (as adults) would hate it.  However, we did not just spend 9 months in a tiny little space where we could not move.  For babies, the swaddle reminds them of the womb and relaxes them.  We also don't have crazy newborn reflexes.   The moro reflex is also known as the startle reflex.  It is triggered by loud noises, sudden movement or the sensation of falling.  Babies respond by flaying their arms and legs and normally hitting themselves in the face.   How would you like to hit yourself in the face several times during a deep sleep?  The swaddle doesn't stop the reflex, it just keeps baby from whacking themselves during deep sleep.

HOW TO SWADDLE:
There are so many videos on youtube about how to swaddle.  Just Google it and you will find one.  I will say though, it takes some practice to get good, but keep trying.

TYPES OF SWADDLES:
With Amos, we started with a receiving blanket.  That worked for about a week, and then he could bust out of the thing.  We tried all our different types of blankets and the ones with a little bit (but not too much) of stretch were the best.  Then I was given a gift of two SwaddleMe blankets from a great friend.  That night we tried them out and it was MAGIC.  They are so much easier to swaddle and so much tighter.  No more breakouts.  And later, while going through some clothes from my cousin, I came across 5 more hand-me-down SwaddleMe!  I didn't realize what a gift that was when I got them!

There are different types of premade Swaddles out there that work great!  We were just given the SwaddleMes, so that's all that we used.  They cost about $30 for two unless you can get a deal, but they are worth it.  Our swaddles have now been used on about 5 babies (not all mine) and are still going strong.

STAGES OF THE SWADDLE:
First stage (Birth - 1 or 2 weeks):  Baby isn't strong enough to break out of a swaddle, so you can use whatever you have on hand.  Also, this is a great time to learn how to swaddle well because they aren't strong enough or coordinated enough to break out.

Second stage (2 weeks - 6 weeks):  After baby figures out how to break the blanket swaddle, move on to an actual pre-made swaddle.  You can start there, and I would actually suggest that.  It makes middle of the night feedings and re-swaddlings so much easier and FASTER!  Velcro is our friend.

Third stage (6 weeks - 2 - 2 1/2 months):  Around 6 weeks, Silas was breaking out of every swaddle.  Part of this could be that the velcro is getting older, and not quite as a solid hold.  The velcro attaches in the front and became easy for him to work his arms and break the hold.  This led to swaddling him backwards in the swaddle.  That meant he was laying on the velcro and his body weight helped to keep it secure!  It's a little trickier to swaddle, but by this time, you're a pro and it's no problem.

4th stage:  (2 1/2 months - ?)  At this point, your baby is probably getting close to being too big for the swaddle.  The good news, they almost don't need it anymore.  We start testing the waters by leaving one arm out of the swaddle and seeing what happens.  This also helps with the size problem, because with one arm out, there's more smaller baby for the swaddle to fit around.  It may take a couple naps for the baby to adjust, but if they do, you're on the road to no more swaddle.  That's a good thing!  Because if you are like me, by this point you are tired of swaddling for every nap and bedtime!

One arm out and backwards.

5th stage: Every babies different, but at some point they will be ready to drop the swaddle completely, probably around 3-4 months.  You can drop it cold turkey, or ease them into it by swaddling one arm out, then both arms, then no swaddle.  If you absolutely don't think they are ready to drop the swaddle, you'll probably need to buy a bigger size and try again at a later date.  However, for most, just getting size SM/MD will work .

WHAT IF THE SWADDLE DOESN'T WORK FOR MY BABY:
Keep trying.  Our two guys loved the swaddle, so we didn't have to worry too much about this.  However, if we have future kiddos who fight the swaddle, my plan is to keep trying until it works.  If it keeps my baby FROM falling asleep instead of helping them fall asleep, then I would give it the boot.

It's magical.