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Things New Parents Should Know #24 - Straitjackets

The straitjacket was first designed way back in the dim, dark days of dealing with mental illness. It's main function was to prevent the wearer harming themselves or other people. One school of thought was that by holding the arms immobile, if the wearer were to struggle and fight against their bonds, they would soon themselves out and become restful.

Swaddle cloths for your baby perform much the same function when it comes to getting the little blighters to sleep. The baby's arms are held immobile, and struggling tends to help tire them out even more. Certainly Lex will not sleep unless securely swaddled. It's amazing to watch how often he changes from screaming and not wanting to be put down, to comparitively quiet and restful once swaddled.

But like a madman, he screams and struggles against it every single time.