Bringing a baby home can be an exciting, but also stressful time for new parents. Swaddling is a time-honored practice that can help your little one feel safe and secure. However, getting the perfect swaddle every time can be challenging, especially in the middle of the night. That’s where swaddles come in.
Swaddles are blankets especially designed to keep your baby wrapped up securely, simulating the feeling of being in the womb. While swaddling is typically done with newborns and very young babies, it is generally safe to use them until your child begins to roll over, which can happen as early as two months old. However, it is important to note that the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends placing babies on their backs when swaddling (1).
With that, let’s take a look at some of the best swaddles available on the market.
Our Top Picks
- Best Overall Swaddle: SwaddleMe Original Swaddle
- Best Swaddle For Newborn: Nested Bean Zen One
- Best Swaddle Blanket: LifeTree 3 Pack Muslin Swaddle Blanket
- Best Swaddle For Preemie: SwaddleMe Pod
- Best Swaddle For Arms Up: Love To Dream Swaddle UP
- Best Swaddle For Transition: Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit
- Best Convertible Swaddle: HALO Sleepsack
- Best Swaddle For Summer: The Ollie Swaddle
- Best Swaddle For Winter: Nested Bean Zen Sack Winter
- Best Swaddle For Growing Baby: Woombie Grow with Me
In This Article
HappyBabyHub’s Best Swaddles Picks
SwaddleMe Original Swaddle – Best Overall Swaddle
- Super easy to use for swaddling
- Nice bright colors and designs
- Velcro is baby skin friendly
- Can get a tight swaddle
- Outgrows sooner than 3 months (average-size baby)
The SwaddleMe Original Swaddle offers a cozy and secure wrap for your baby, creating a soothing and familiar feeling similar to being in the womb. Its unique design helps prevent the startle reflex that can disrupt your baby’s sleep. The adjustable silky wings provide a snug fit while allowing for natural movement.
This swaddle is perfect for newborns who prefer to be swaddled with their arms in and are not yet rolling over. It is designed for the first stage of the SwaddleMe Stages of Sleep.
Nested Bean Zen One – Best Swaddle For Newborn
- The stitching is all well done
- The fabric feels heavy-duty and soft
- The legroom is adequate
- Having the inside swaddle to either hold their arms down or hug their stomach is great
- The zipper is a little hard to figure out
The Zen One is a sleep aid designed to help infants learn to self-soothe and sleep better. It features gentle weighting that adjusts to the needs of babies from birth to six months old. The Zen One also comes with a band that holds the baby’s arms securely to prevent a startle reaction.
The sleeves can be freed for older babies who resist the swaddle. For newborns, the tight wrap may be too constricting, but the sleeves can be unzipped for added comfort. Once the baby starts rolling over, the Zen Sack can be used as a replacement. The Zen One ensures comfort at every stage of sleep for infants.
LifeTree 3 Pack Muslin Swaddle Blanket – Best Swaddle Blanket
- Stays smooth after a wash and dry cycle
- They are super smooth
- These are woven and not knitted so they are not stretch
- They are definitely on the lighter side
- Not a lot of color options
Crafted from a blend of 30% cotton and 70% bamboo, this muslin blanket offers a combination of durability and softness, as well as breathability. The material gets even softer with each wash. These swaddles are available in earthy and bohemian hues that perfectly complement contemporary baby and nursery trends.
Wrapping a newborn in a blanket is often comforting for them and helps promote better sleep. These lovely unisex prints are suitable for both baby boys and girls.
SwaddleMe Pod – Best Swaddle For Preemie
- They are super easy to use
- Two zippers for easy diaper-changing access at night
- They are pretty lightweight
- Zipper tucks into a pouch by the baby’s neck to prevent irritation
- Only comes in one size
The SwaddleMe Pod is a compression swaddle that provides your baby with a snug and comforting womb-like feeling without requiring any wrapping. Its innovative design minimizes the chance of the startle reflex waking up your baby. To use, simply zip your baby into the pod for a secure and cozy fit. The soft and stretchy fabric allows your baby to move naturally while staying safe and secure.
Love To Dream Swaddle UP – Best Swaddle For Arms Up
- Baby is able to touch the face and self soothe
- Able to change diapers without removal
- Holds up well to frequent washes
- Keeps arms in – prevent baby scratches
- Not many size options
The Swaddle UP offers a secure and easy-to-use design for swaddling your baby. The innovative wings allow for natural movement and the option to sleep with arms in an upward position, reducing the startle reflex.
Made of 93% cotton and 7% elastane with a 4-way stretch, the snug fit gives a comfortable and safe sensation similar to the womb. With the dual zipper, you can easily change diapers or re-swaddle without removing the swaddle, avoiding the inconvenience of snaps or Velcro. The design also eliminates any possibility of loose fabric.
Baby Merlin’s Magic Sleepsuit – Best Swaddle For Transition
- Can be easily washed and dried without damage
- Baby is still able to touch the face and not get frustrated like a swaddle
- Very breathable, and never overheats even though it’s very thick
- Two little zippers are pretty smooth and quiet if you’re waking up to change/feed
- Can take a little bit of time to dry post washing
The Magic Sleepsuit is designed to provide comfort and a safe sensation to babies who are transitioning from swaddling. It was developed by a mother of four and a pediatric physical therapist to improve the quantity and quality of babies’ sleep.
It is recommended to use the Magic Sleepsuit for back sleeping in a crib at the appropriate temperature for newborns. However, it should not be worn with any sleep positioners or when co-sleeping. The suit features a layer of polyfill between the soft, breathable jersey cotton inner and outer layers, providing optimal comfort.
It is best to introduce the Magic Sleepsuit to infants at three months old when they are moving away from swaddling or other smaller sleeping areas. A proper fit and the right time of introduction are crucial for the suit to be effective and safe. Once babies start rolling or attempting to roll over and need more movement freedom while sleeping, it’s time to transition them out of the suit.
HALO Sleepsack – Best Convertible Swaddle
- Diaper changes are a breeze
- This swaddle is easy to use
- Soft and warm
- You can Velcro arms in or leave them out and just Velcro over the belly for a semi-snuggled option
- Make sure to wrap this away from babies face
The HALO SleepSack Swaddle is a safer alternative to loose blankets in the crib, as they may cover your baby’s face and impede breathing. It not only provides a sense of security but also promotes better sleep. The swaddling wrap of this product immobilizes your baby’s arms to prevent the Moro or startle reflex.
This is the only 3-way adjustable swaddle that conforms to your baby’s sleep patterns. It allows you to swaddle your baby with their arms in, hands-to-face, or one, or both arms out, ensuring that they sleep comfortably and making the transition to the SleepSack wearable blanket easier when it’s time to stop swaddling.
The HALO SleepSack Swaddle is highly recommended by hospitals and is certified “Hip Healthy” by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute. It has strong adjustable fasteners for a secure fit and to prevent breakouts. Furthermore, its innovative bottom zipper enables you to change diapers without unwrapping your baby completely.
The Ollie Swaddle – Best Swaddle For Summer
- The materials are of very high quality
- It is easy to swaddle up a drowsy baby and put them in a bassinet
- It’s breathable, just stretchy enough
- The Velcro is strong
- The Velcro is loud
This swaddle is made from specially designed moisture-wicking fabric to reduce the risk of overheating. The design allows for a customized fit to accommodate each baby’s unique needs and size, and the staggered loop design acts as a guide for proper use. The bottom hole provides easy access for diaper changes. The one-size design is comfortable during transitional phases.
For safety and developmental reasons, the Ollie swaddle is intended to begin below the shoulders. It should always be worn below the shoulders to ensure that your baby’s face and neck are never covered by clothing. The elastic loop must be fastened directly below the feet at all times.
Nested Bean Zen Sack Winter – Best Swaddle For Winter
- The cotton outer is beautifully soft
- Extremely well made
- Nice and perfect for the colder weather
- The weighted bean helps with sleeping
- Due to the poly filling for the winter, the sack feels synthetic
The Nested Bean Zen Sack provides a comfortable sleeping experience for your child, akin to being cradled in your arms. Its adjustable and lightweight straps ensure a snug fit, while the weighted area on the chest imitates the calming sensation of a parent’s touch, helping your baby feel secure and fall asleep more easily. It has a TOG rating of 2.5 and is filled with poly fiber, making it suitable for cooler temperatures.
Designed based on medical research on the benefits of touch, the Zen Sack’s gentle weight on the chest has been reported to improve sleep by one to three hours per night. The shoulder straps can be adjusted with two tabs, allowing the Zen Sack to grow with your baby. The 2-way zipper is quiet and easy to use for diaper changes.
Woombie Grow with Me – Best Swaddle For Growing Baby
- It is such high quality, you get a very significant value for the money as it grows with your child as they develop
- Soft and comfortable
- Light enough that you can use it on even the warmest summer nights
- Feels like it would be very cozy
- The 2-way zipper at the bottom doesn’t go completely to the bottom so when changing at night
The Woombie Grow With Me is a versatile 5-stage swaddle and wearable blanket that grows with your baby, spanning from 0 to 9 months with the added bonus of extended length up to 18 months. It covers all the necessary phases of healthy and contented sleep for your baby, allowing for three distinct multi-sized swaddle options as your baby develops.
The elastic, yet cozy fit moves with your baby, emulating a womb-like environment and mimicking the feeling of being held, caressed, and cuddled. This promotes back sleeping and helps the infant transition to life outside the womb. The design is shoulder and hip-friendly, with cotton/spandex fabric that promotes gentle airflow and a shortened waistline that lightly compresses the stomach, enhancing your baby’s comfort.
How To Choose The Best Swaddle?
- Closure: A zip-up swaddle can withstand several washings and make diaper changes in the middle of the night simple. Swaddles with Velcro offer a tight fit but may lose their hold with time. Combination swaddles include Velcro and zip closure, so you may benefit from both.
- Material: Cotton or muslin, which is often advised, is used to make the majority of swaddles. Although weighted swaddles once enjoyed a following, the American Academy of Pediatrics now advises against their use due to the possibility of entrapment or asphyxia.
- Size: A crucial aspect that many parents and caregivers are unaware of is that swaddles come in various sizes for different ages. A blanket that is too big for your infant might become loose and provide a suffocation risk, so choosing the perfect size helps keep your child safe.
- Type: Your baby’s preferences will ultimately determine the ideal type of swaddling for him or her. Many people enjoy having their arms fastened, while others despise it. Additionally, when your child gets older, you should pick a wrap that lets her move her arms in case she turns over as she sleeps. A transitional swaddle or one with the arms entirely free falls under this category.
What Is Swaddling?
Swaddling is the traditional method of firmly encircling a baby in a blanket from the neck down. Their legs and arms are snugly tucked in. The positioning is intended to resemble how a newborn is held in the womb, with little to no room for their arms or legs to swing around.
Swaddling a newborn reduces the startle reaction, also known as the Moro reflex. This is an automatic reaction to being shocked by anything, such as a loud noise or for no apparent reason. It goes away by the time the baby is 3 to 6 months old, but during those early weeks and months at home, it can really interfere with sleep.
How Old Should Babies Be Swaddled?
Swaddling is only appropriate for extremely young newborns, from birth until they can start to roll over which is 4 to 6 months old but sometimes younger as all babies are different (2).
How Many Hours a Day Is It Safe To Swaddle A Baby?
For the first few weeks following birth, the American Academy of Pediatrics advises parents to keep their infants wrapped in a blanket for 12 to 20 hours each day (3). Baby relaxation results from this. Correct swaddling also guards against injuries, hyperthermia, SIDS, or sudden infant death syndrome.
Which Material Is Best For Swaddle?
Due to its inherent softness and durability, cotton muslin is undoubtedly the most popular material for swaddling blankets. It also grows softer with usage and washing. Muslin is a fabric with an extremely fine weave that can be created from many different materials, although cotton is the most popular choice.
Should I Swaddle My Newborn At Night?
Swaddling your infant at night can encourage longer stretches of sleep for your child. Swaddling a baby is meant to lessen the startle reaction. Yes, you should wrap your infant with a blanket at night. A defensive mechanism, the startle response is a basic reaction that is present from birth.
How Tight Should a Swaddle Be?
Make sure the swaddle is not too tight. Your baby’s chest should be able to fit 2 fingers between the wrap and it. Your infant is overheated if he or she is perspiring. You must take the swaddle off. Your infant is now prepared to be fed or comforted while being held. Babies who are swaddled should never be laid on their stomachs or sides, not even for a minute.
What’s The Difference Between A Regular Baby Blanket And A Swaddle Blanket?
There is a precise method for wrapping your infant in a swaddle blanket such that it is very snug. The AAP deems this to be safe, but a typical baby blanket that is lying loose in your child’s secure sleeping area is not. There is a suffocation danger from loose blankets.
Although swaddling blankets are safe, the AAP notes that an unwrapped or too-loose swaddle also presents a suffocation danger. Because of this, it’s crucial to have a sturdy swaddle blanket and to stop swaddling your baby once they reach the two-month mark or when they first attempt to roll over.
