Respectfully being non-agreeing here. Being in a fixed and extended posture for extended periods of time is a very un-physiologic position for a newborn. when babies get to be resistant of stretching hteir arms after being swaddled in flexion I'd not say the position is wrong, I'd say the fixation is wrong and for too long a time.
  babies should be at mom''s, in a comforatable fetus-like position, but not fixated and noticing mom's move\ments as she goes around doing het own thing. That is swaddling, cuddling, rocking and nurturing al in one. 
   
  Warmly greeting,
  Gonneke 
  IBCLC, LLLL, MOM-of-5 in southern Netherlands.

Harvey Karp and Nina Montee <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
  > Laura raised a good question about arm position and swaddling. As 
> she mentions, numerous experts recommend swaddling preemies with 
> arms flexed to help them be "organized" neurologically. At 28 
> weeks gestation, fetuses keep their arms extended almost all the 
> time. Then gradually, over the next 2 months, they spend more and 
> more time with arms flexed...and during the last month they are so 
> confined that the arms are flexed most of the time. In fact, their 
> biceps become hypertonic and when you strengthen the arms they 
> resist and then boing them right back to flexion. 

> So why do I strongly recommend swaddling term babies with extended 
> arms to help calm their crying (and improve their sleep)?

> Simple...it works better! If you want to calm a fussy term baby or 
> help them sleep a little longer (ie go from waking every 2-3 hours 
> to sleeping 3-4 hours) you will be much more successful if the baby 
> is wrapped with arms flexed.

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