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The 10 Best Baby Swaddles to Soothe Your Baby

Mary Brice

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Swaddling is like a form of magic for most babies. Yes, some babies fight swaddling and prefer to sleep without it, but most quietly transform into sleeping, happy babies as soon as they are snuggled up again.

It makes sense! Your baby spent nine months snug in your womb, where they were cozy, warm, and always felt happy. The uterus isn’t a ballroom; babies are cradled in there in the fetal position! After birth, they come out in this big, huge, cold world, and it can be downright scary.

Learning how to swaddle your baby is of utmost importance for parents. It can be the difference between getting sleep and feeling sleep deprived. A baby swaddle makes the transition from womb life to home life just a bit easier.

What is a Baby Swaddle?

A baby swaddle is typically a large blanket that is tightly wrapped around your baby to mimic the coziness of the womb. It helps them feel secure and safe. Swaddle blankets come in a variety of sizes and materials.

Some parents find swaddle blankets complicated because they can be really large. So, you can purchase baby swaddles that are smaller and use velcro, elastic, and zippers to secure the swaddle around the baby. These are cut to the right shape. Many parents prefer these styles because they’re much easier to use, especially in the middle of the night when swaddling is harder due to being tired.

Why You Need to Try a Swaddle Blanket

Most new parents wonder if there are any real benefits to using a swaddle blanket. Swaddles keep your baby soothed, sleeping, and comfortable. A few reasons your baby will love a swaddle blanket include:

Keeps Baby Cozy

Your baby felt cozy when he was in the womb. Wombs are constantly warm, right at body temperature. When your baby arrives earthside, he now is cold – yikes! He needs to be covered to reach his ideal temperature to feel snug and cozy again.

Safety

All of that snugness makes your baby feel safe again. The world is scary for a new baby! Also, swaddling provides safety because it decreases the risk of suffocation. Babies shouldn’t sleep with loose bedding. Instead, a swaddle keeps baby warm without a blanketing posing a danger to your baby.

Stops the Startle Reflex

Nothing is more frustrating than finally getting your baby to sleep and laying him down to sleep only for the startle reflex to wake him up. The startle reflex lasts until your baby is around four months old, and it’s known as the Moro reflex.

When a baby is startled, he quickly lifts his arms up out to the sides. It’s quick – almost like when you feel as if you’re falling when you go to sleep. This quick movement wakes your baby up, and your baby is still too young to be able to self-soothe.

A tight swaddle keeps your baby’s arms down at their sides, preventing your baby from being startled awake.

Soothes Anxiety

The utero is a tight, confined area, and babies aren’t used to wide, open spaces. We may not like being confined, but babies find it comfortable and soothing. It helps keep your baby calm and reduces anxiety that he might be feeling. A restrictive environment is best for babies.

The Types of Baby Swaddles

Parents have a variety of choices when it comes to baby swaddles. You can just try one or try all of the types of swaddles!

Swaddling Blankets

Swaddling blankets are the original type of swaddles. They are just a large blanket that’s folded and wrapped around the baby, kind of like origami with a blanket. The blanket keeps your baby snug and secure.

The best swaddling blankets will be square-shaped, with a minimum of 45 inches on each side. You don’t want swaddling blankets to be made from an elastic material. It’ll make your baby too hot, which is dangerous because overheating can lead to SIDS.

Swaddle Sacks

A swaddle sack is like a combination of a swaddling blanket and a sleep sack, which is a safe, wearable blanket. Parents love swaddle sacks because they remove most of the learning techniques that parents need to figure out with a swaddling blanket. Companies add hook-and-loop (known as Velcro) or snap closures to keep the sack around the baby tightly.

Swaddle Pods

Swaddle Pods, mostly known by the names Woombie or SwaddlePod, are made of stretchy material. The pod closes with a zipper. These are by far the easiest to use. Place your baby inside of the pod, zip it up, and your baby is swaddled! The pods don’t have any arm or leg holes; they’re meant to mimic the snugness of the womb.

How to Pick the Best Baby Swaddle

Ready to buy a baby swaddle? Here is what you need to consider.

Type of Swaddle

First, you have to consider what type of swaddle is best for your baby and you. You might prefer the swaddling blankets because they are quite versatile. A Muslin swaddling blanket also makes a great regular blanket and a nursing cover! You might prefer a swaddle pod to make your life easier.

Ease of Use

Speaking of making your life easier, you might prefer to have a swaddle sack or a swaddle pod. They are the easiest, and that matters if you’re going to have someone babysitting your baby! Caregivers do best with something that doesn’t require a major learning curve.

Fabric

One of the most important considerations is the fabric. It must be breathable. Cotton is the best choice, but there are others! Remember your baby will have multiple layers of fabric on them! Too hot is dangerous for babies.

Nearly every swaddle will be made out of cotton or a cotton blend, but cotton goes by many names. Some material names you might see are:

Size

You need to pick a blanket that will be the right size for your baby. A traditional swaddling blanket should be a square and at least 45 inches on each size. Any smaller and it won’t fit around your baby! If you’re using a swaddling sack or pod, pay attention to the specific ages, weight, and lengths for each size. Sizes aren’t standard across all brands.

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The 10 Best Baby Swaddles

1

Summer Infant Wrap – The Best Velcro Swaddle

If you want a velcro swaddle sack, the Summer Infant Wrap is a great choice. It really doesn’t get easier than this one! All you have to do is place your baby into the swaddle sack, fasten with the velcro enclosure, and your baby is swaddled. That’s it! It really can’t get much easier than that.

The Summer Infant Wrap is great for caregivers and parents who just can’t understand swaddling techniques. The velcro is adjustable, so it grows with your child over time. One of the awesome features is that you can access your baby’s diaper without having to unwrap their arms. It’s great for middle of the night!

Another nice feature is that it has a harness slit that lets you secure your baby in a swing or bouncer while still wrapped up!

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2

Kaydee Baby Swaddle Blankets – The Best Organic Swaddle Blanket

Kaydee Baby are plush, muslin blankets made from 100 percent organic cotton. They have the Global Organic Textile Standard certification to prove it. Cotton means these blankets are easy to clean and they get softer with each washing.

Kaydee Baby used pre-washed organic muslin cotton which is one of the softest materials possible. It’s very soft to the touch, lightweight, and breathable. Your baby will just love the silky soft material.

Each blanket is a 47” x 47” square, so it’s wide enough to wrap around the largest baby. You never have to worry about sizing up. The size also means that the Kaydee Baby Blankets are great as a stroller blanket or as a clean place to lay on the floor.

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3

Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddle Blanket – The Best Muslin Swaddle Blanket

The Aden & Anais blankets come in a four-pack, so you will always have a blanket when you need it. Aden & Anais offers dozens of adorable, whimsical designs and fabrics that you will love. They’ll look great in the nursery, in the middle of the night, or as part of our newborn photoshoot!

These blankets are multi-functional, serving as a nursing cover or blanket. They are made of 100 percent cotton muslin that is lightweight and breathable. We love that muslin keeps your baby warm and cozy without the worry of overheating.

Aden & Anais sells dozens of products from these swaddling blankets to bibs and more. Their products are top-quality, lasting for years. You can expect these blankets to last for years to come.

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Read more about The Best Biodegradable Diapers in our full review.

4

Miracle Baby Blanket – Great for Newborns

If you want to avoid learning all of those fancy folding techniques, a Miracle Baby Blanket is a great choice. Your baby won’t be able to escape because it has extra arm flaps to stop your baby from lifting his arms up and out of the swaddle sack.

Basically, the Miracle Baby Blanket is like a straight jacket for babies.

Now, the Miracle Baby isn’t quite as easy as some other swaddle sacks. However, once you get a hang of it, it’s far from complicated. There just is a learning curve, but it does come with directions to help you.

Even if it’s a bit harder to figure it out at first, there is no denying that babies love the Miracle Baby Blanket. The combination of snug swaddling and gentle abdominal pressure keeps babies happy and relaxed.

We do love that there are no velcro fasteners on these swaddle sacks. That means you never have to worry about the velcro wearing out over time, which does happen. You only need to buy one size since the Miracle Baby Blanket is a one-size fit all swaddle sack. That’s a money saver, and you can pass it down for other babies!

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5

The Woombie – Best Swaddle Pod

As you might guess by the name, the Woombie is meant to mimic the womb. They are quite snug and cozy, just like your womb!

The Woombie has a 2-way zipper that lets you unzip from both sides. You can unzip from the top when you’re ready to put your baby into the stretchy, swaddle pod. Then, if your baby needs a diaper change, just unzip the Woombie from the bottom. Diaper changes are a breeze.

There are a lot of reasons why you should love the Woombie. It’s made of 95% stretchy cotton, and there is only one layer of material. You never have to worry that your baby will overheat with a single layer of cotton. No extra fabric will bunch up, leading to an unsafe environment for your baby.

The Woombie comes in four different sizes from newborn up to 25 pounds. That does mean you’ll need to purchase several sizes as your baby grows.

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6

Halo MicroFleece SleepSack Swaddle – Best for Winter

If your house is drafty and cold, the Halo MicroFleece is meant to keep your baby warm throughout cold winter nights. This baby swaddle is actually a mixture of a swaddle at the upper portion and a loose sack a the bottom. Your baby’s feet, legs, and hips can move freely, which is great for their development. In fact, the International Hip Dysplasia Institute endorses this design!

Another reason to like the Halo MicroFleece is that it’s a great transition from the swaddle. You can position their hands by their face for self-soothing, or swaddle with arms totally out for more control. Once your baby can roll over, this choice is safest, but it’ll still keep your baby nice and warm.

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7

SwaddleMe Original Swaddle – Best Bundle of Swaddle Sacks

The SwaddleMe Originals come in girly, boy, and gender neutral designs. Your baby will look adorable! The SwaddleMe Originals are so easy to use. All you have to do is put your baby in the swaddle, wrap them up, and secure it with the hook-and-loop closures. The hook and loop is adjustable, so it works whether your baby is a skinny-mini or a Sumo wrestler.

In fact, the design is so easy that caregivers can easily figure it out, even Grandma who can’t use a DVD player! These swaddle sacks are 100 percent cotton, so they’re breathable and soft on your baby’s skin. Each time you wash it in the washing machine makes the fabric a bit softer.

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8

SwaddleMe Pods – Best for Tiny Babies

Another option for a stretchy, swaddle pod is the SwaddleMe Pods. The cotton-spandex fabric combination helps to mimic the womb cozy environment. It helps to create the perfect hug hold for your baby.

The SwaddleMe Pods are rated for babies as small as five pounds, so they’re the perfect choice for tiny babies or preemies. If you have a preemie, you can use this as soon as they get home!

It has a simple, zippered design that makes using the swaddle easy as can be! The zipper works from both ends, so you can change your baby’s diaper without having to remove her entirely from the swaddle. That’s a great feature for middle of the night changes or when it’s chilly in the house.

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9

Halo SleepSack Swaddle – The Original Swaddle Sack

The Halo SleepSack is the original choice for parents that want a sleepsack. It makes swaddling so easy anyone can do it because of the zipper and velcro wings. You get the best of both worlds! The bottom zips up and down for quick diaper changes.

The Halo SleepSack stands out because its style means it’s looser around the legs while still providing options to secure your baby’s arms. You can leave your baby’s arms out by fastening the wings around the waist instead or use the wings to hold your baby’s arms down and close with the velcro wings. The ability to change the arms positions helps make the transition out of swaddling easier.

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10

Love to Dream Swaddle UP Original – The Best Arms Up Swaddle

Some babies actually prefer to have their arms up in the air, above their heads, rather than by their sides or on their chest. The Love to Dream is one of the only swaddles that lets your baby put his arms upwards. It creates that secure, safe feeling for newborns with the ability to position arms upwards. It may not be a traditional swaddle, but parents and babies love it!

The Love to Dream lets babies sleep in their natural sleep position. Babies love to have their hands near their mouths because it helps them settle and sleep better. This baby swaddle is the only safe, arms up option for you that lets your baby sleep how they want while still containing the startle reflex.

Parents love the ease of use. It has a zipper which is great for middle of the night swaddling, and it offers a hip-friendly leg positioning. You never have to worry that it’ll harm your child’s hip development. Also, since your baby’s arms are up, he has the ability to use his hands to self-soothe, but they are under the fabric.

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How Long Can You Swaddle Baby?

Parents have to watch for signs that it’s time to stop swaddling your baby. Swaddling is amazing, but all good things must come to an end sooner or later.

A few cues for you to watch for include:

In general, most pediatricians agree that you should stop swaddling around 3 to 4 months old because most babies start to roll around then. However, some now push to stop swaddling as early as 8 weeks old! Parents have to decide what they feel is right for their baby.

Pro Tips for Swaddling Success

Learning how to swaddle your baby takes time and practice. After a few hundred times, you’ll be a baby swaddling expert. Trust us, it doesn’t take long! Here are a few tips for swaddling success.

Safety Tips for Swaddling Your Baby

There is one major safety tip that you need to remember about swaddling…

Swaddle babies should ONLY be placed on their backs to sleep. Laying a swaddled baby to sleep on their side or stomach dramatically increases the risk of SIDS.

Got it? Good!

Also, make sure you stop swaddling once your baby is able to roll over. Your baby can accidentally roll over and suffocate.

You should also note that the benefits of tight swaddling only apply to your baby’s torso and arms. Your baby’s legs should never be tightly bound. Tightly swaddled leg can lead to developmental damage to a baby’s hips. To avoid hip dysplasia, be sure your baby’s legs can move freely.

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Picking the Best Baby Swaddle

You might want to try a baby swaddling blanket, or you could prefer the sleep sack route. It’ll be up to your baby! Every baby is different and has a specific preference.

These 10 best baby swaddles all offer the comfort, snugness that your baby craves after birth. Your baby will sleep much better when he feels like he is back in the womb, snug and cozy, and you’ll get more sleep. That’s a win for everyone!