Hi girls,
I had a similar issue with swaddling for sleeps until DS was 12mths - the worst part was stressing about what he 'should' be doing. I think some babies just need extra security or support to relax them and if thats what it takes then go with it. Try every now and then if you feel the need to wean them off the habit - but don't stress about it.
For our sleeping conversion i went for one arm out first, and literally sat and held his arm down the first night until he slept (lying next to cot so he couldnt look at me). next night held gently and just above his hand, and only held it down when he wriggled, and so on... after 2 weeks he could sleep unwrapped. I suggest taking it really slow and not changing too much in each step towards freedom
Goodluck