May. 19, 2025
Apparel
There are so many baby swaddles out there, each one claiming to be the best swaddle, which makes choosing the best swaddle for Baby really tricky for new and expecting parents. For help keeping unsafe swaddles out of your baby’s crib and help narrowing down your perfect pick—check out our step-by-step swaddle buying guide. Here, what to look for in a baby swaddle—plus, why swaddles are a must-add to every baby registry.
The age-old practice of swaddling—aka wrapping your baby like a burrito—offers babies a sense of comfort, familiarity, and security. That’s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that, when done correctly, swaddling can effectively help calm infants and promote sleep. That’s also why nurses and midwives always swaddle newborns! Here’s what swaddling can do for your baby:
Swaddling turns on the calming reflex. Swaddling an integral part of the 5 S’s for soothing babies, which are a collection of womb-like sensations (swaddling, swinging, shushing, sucking, and holding baby in the side/stomach position) that trigger a baby's calming reflex—aka nature’s “off switch” for fussing and “on switch” for sleep. (Learn all about the science behind the 5 S’s.)
Swaddling prevents startling. Arms-down swaddling helps counteract your baby’s Moro reflex, also called the startle reflex. That means a swaddle helps keep babies from feeling as though they’re falling when you place them in the bassinet. It prevents babies from accidentally bonking themselves in the face with their naturally jerky arm movements.
Swaddling is a safe alternative to blankets. Swaddling eliminates the need for loose blankets in your baby’s sleep space. Loose blankets and bedding should never be used in an infant's crib or bassinet, as they increase a baby’s chance of suffocation. (Learn about more items to keep out of your infant’s sleep space.)
You should swaddle your baby for naps and nighttime sleep from the start…and continue doing so throughout your baby’s missing fourth trimester. This is a period of three to four months after birth when your newborn’s still-developing brain and nervous system remain reliant on the womb-like sensations of the 5 S’s for sleep and comfort.
Your baby should be mostly unswaddled during awake time, but if they’re especially fussy and need extra help settling down, pediatrician and leading swaddling expert, Dr. Harvey Karp, says that swaddling outside of sleepytime can help.
Dr. Karp also notes that while babies often do best when swaddled until 4 to 5 months old, swaddling must stop once your baby can roll. (A swaddled baby may roll onto their tummy and then get stuck in that position because their hands aren’t free, which is dangerous.) The exception: SNOO babies can be safely swaddled for up to 6 months, thanks to SNOO’s built-in swaddle. (SNOO is the only medical device to receive De Novo Authorization from the FDA for its ability to keep sleeping babies safely on their backs. For important safety info visit www.happiestbaby.com/fda.)
Not all swaddle blankets are the same! Here’s a breakdown of the types of swaddles you’ll find in store or available to put on your baby registry:
Traditional Swaddle Blanket: These thin blankets made of soft muslin or cotton are usually about a 47-inch square. They’re meant to be manually folded around your baby to create a snug wrap. Nurses and midwives most-often wrap newborns in these types of swaddles after birth. (Here’s how to fold a traditional swaddle.)
Cocoon or Guided Swaddle: These swaddle blankets are designed without any fasteners. Instead, they rely upon well-placed pouches and “wings” to secure your baby.
Ready Made Swaddle: These easy-to-execute swaddle blankets secure your baby’s body inside of a sack that’s outfitted with “wings” that securely wrap your baby’s arms. (The multi-award winning Sleepea swaddle also features a leg flap and a two-way zipper, adding to the safe and secure fit.)
Pouch Swaddle: Here, your baby is held snug inside a pouch or sack that can be zippered or fastened, but their arms are not secured with any additional features.
A newborn swaddle is meant to mimic the snug hug of the womb, holding a baby’s arms against their body. Unless your baby is securely swaddled in SNOO, a swaddle blanket is only meant for infants who are not yet able to roll. A sleep sack is a wearable blanket where a baby or toddler’s arms are free. This is another way to keep children warm during sleepytime without the danger of loose blankets.
A transitional swaddle allows for arms-out sleeping and is meant for babies who are just about ready to graduate from a baby swaddle to a sleep sack. Some transitional swaddles still contain a baby’s arms in loose fabric, while others allow for one- and two-arm free sleeping. Sleepea, for instance, is not only a ready-made baby swaddle, but a transitional swaddle as well. Each Sleepea has snaps at both shoulders that can be opened to allow your little one to get used to arms-free snoozing, which is likely why Good Housekeeping voted Sleepea the Best Transitional Swaddle.
Remember: If your baby is rolling (and not sleeping in SNOO), a transitional swaddle or sleep sack is a safety must! Once your little one can roll onto their belly, it’s no longer safe for them to be swaddled. They need to be able to use their hands to push up from the mattress.
Swaddling is not always an easy task. In fact, new-parent nerves plus sleep deprivation can make swaddling feel downright impossible. That means, parents might, 1) give up on swaddling too soon, or 2) improperly wrap their baby, so that the swaddle comes loose, unravels, or rides up over a baby’s mouth and nose, putting their little one in danger. That’s why it’s important to select a swaddle that makes it easy-peasy to get right. One to consider: The Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle, which was voted Best Easy Swaddle by Babylist, Easiest Swaddle to Use by What to Expect, and reviewers for New York Magazine’s The Strategist simply note that Sleepea is “magic.”
In , the AAP released an update of their safe sleep recommendations, which included a warning against weighted swaddles, stating that they’re “not safe and not recommended.” The nonprofit organization made up of 67,000 children’s physicians went on to warn that weighted swaddles can lead to lower oxygen levels, which if sustained, may be harmful to your infant’s developing brain. Plus, weighted swaddles may also impair a baby’s arousal, potentially contributing to their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
In short, always opt for a non-weighted swaddle, always lay your swaddled baby on their back, and always make sure that their crib or bassinet is free of all loose bedding, bumper pads, pillows, stuffed toys, sleep positioners, loungers, and wedges.
To help keep your baby cool and comfortable all sleep long, look for swaddles made of breathable natural fabrics, like cotton. (Avoid manmade fabrics, like fleece, that trap heat.) Your choice of fabric is important because your little one’s body temperature rises much faster than yours—and they sweat less—making babies especially vulnerable to overheating, which is an uncomfortable sleep-sapper and can raise a baby’s risk of SIDS.
For even more breathability, go for a 100% GOTS certified organic cotton swaddle. The Sleep Foundation notes that organic cotton tends to be more breathable than regular cotton. And the National Eczema Association reports that it’s best to choose organic cotton whenever possible. Happiest Baby’s Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle, voted Best Swaddle by The New York Times is not only made of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, but many feature mesh panels at Baby’s shoulders and knees that allows for even more breathability.
When babies are swaddled with their legs straight, it can impair proper hip development and cause hip dysplasia. With hip dysplasia, the ball and socket that ensure your baby’s hips can move freely, no longer fit together perfectly. Instead, the socket becomes too shallow, so the ball keeps popping out. To help keep little hips healthy look for a swaddle blanket that is snug around the arms, but loose around the hips and legs that allows your little one to bend, flex, and open their hips easily, like a frog. Unsure if your swaddle of choice has the perfect mix of snug up top, loose at the bottom? Check to see if the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) has labeled your swaddle pick hip-healthy. (PS: Sleepea, Sleepea Comforter Sack, plus SNOO Sack have all been deemed a hip-healthy choice by IHDI.)
Middle-of-the-night diaper changes are a guarantee with babies, so your swaddle needs to allow for the easiest diaper swap-outs possible. To do that, you’ll want to avoid complicated swaddle blankets that need to be fully removed and rewrapped each diaper change. Opt for a swaddle that features an easy-access double-sided zipper and/or extra quiet adjustable fasteners, so your baby won’t startle awake or become fussy during a diaper change. Here’s another place where Happiest Baby’s Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle stands out. Insider calls Sleepea’s zipper and closures “whisper-quiet,” while USA Today’s Reviewed not only awarded Sleepea its top prize for Best Overall Swaddle, they noted that the Happiest Baby swaddle is a “game changer” when it comes to easy diaper checks and changes.
You know how you may be one size jeans at your favorite store and a totally different size at another store? The same holds true for baby items. Before purchasing any baby swaddles, check the size chart (which should include pounds) and scan the online reviews to see if parents note a swaddle runs small, large, or just-right. You know your baby is in the ideal swaddle size if you can place two to three fingers between your baby’s chest and the swaddle. Also, make sure the swaddle snug at the arms and loose at the hips. (You baby should be able to easily move their legs.)
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Swaddling is a practice used for the newborn babies since the ancient times. If in the past this technique was used immediately after birth with the sole purpose of straightening the limbs, recent studies show that swaddling actually makes the baby feel more comfortable, giving him a sense of confidence and “containment” that is indispensable in the first days of life.
In fact, while the baby is inside the mother’s womb, he feels around him well-defined boundaries that transmit a feeling of peace and security. Swaddling, therefore, can recreate that feeling.
In these conditions, it is quite easy to understand why a good swaddling blanket is an essential item for the newborn. We made this buyer’s guide with the purpose to help you choose the best swaddle blankets available on the market, so read on to find out more about these products.
The custom of swaddling the newborn is not only ancient, but it is also diffused in almost all the cultures of the world. Even if this practice lost some of its importance in the modern Western world, the scientists never stopped asking themselves why baby swaddling was important for so many different populations.
Since the REM sleep is the deepest phase of the sleep, it is important that babies are not disturbed during this phase.
Other research also shows that the babies who were correctly swaddled had the tendency of sleeping in a more secure way, on their back, thus the risk of SIDS is also reduced. But these are not the only benefits of swaddling.
In fact, swaddling a baby also has a calming effect on the baby and it helps him regulate his body temperature. In addition, swaddling also reduce the symptoms of colic.
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On the market, there are available different types of swaddle blankets. When deciding which are the best swaddle blankets, you should take into account your swaddling experience, price and personal preference. Let’s see which are the different types of swaddle blankets.
These are the simplest swaddle blankets. The swaddle pods have a characteristic “peanut” shape and are designed to contain the baby into a cocoon-like stretchy fabric. While the baby will be able to freely move his arms and legs, this type of swaddle blankets is very secure. These swaddle blankets are also made of a wide variety of fabrics and come in many colors.
This type of swaddle blankets is a wearable blanket usually made with a detachable swaddling piece. Made in various materials and sizes, the sleep sacks represent a good solution not only for newborn and infants, but also for toddlers because the swaddling piece can be easily removed when it is no longer needed.
These swaddling blankets are probably the easiest to use because they guide the parents through pouches and flaps, so you will be able to efficiently swaddle the baby. These swaddling blankets are also manufactured in a wide variety of designs, while the fabric used is typically cotton.
These are usual rectangular blankets that can be used for a variety of purposes, from swaddling to nursing covers.
Regardless the type of blanket you choose, remember to buy a suitable swaddle blanket for the average outdoor or indoor temperature. Don’t wrap your baby in a fleece blanket during summer or in a thin cotton blanket if it is snowing.
Swaddling a baby is not hard, but if you’re at the first arms, you’re probably wondering how to do this in the right way. Here is how to swaddle your baby in six easy steps.
1. Flatten the blanket on the changing table or on the bed.
2. Flip a corner from the upper side of the blanket towards the bottom in a way that you can place the neck of the baby on the flip line.
3. Place the baby on the blanket, making sure that his head and body are well sustained during this operation.
4. Flip one side of the blanket over the baby and fix it under the baby’s back. The blanket should be tight enough to keep the arm of the baby in place, but loose enough to allow the baby to move.
5. Flip the bottom corner of the blanket towards the head of the baby. The baby should be able to move his legs freely inside the blanket.
6. Flip the free angle of the blanket and fix it. When wrapping this angle you will be able to decide if you want a loose or a tight swaddle, depending on your preferences.
Now that you know why and how to swaddle your baby, let’s see which are the best swaddle blankets available on the market.
This adorable swaddle blanket from Swuddlesis made of 100% polyester and it is one of the cutest swaddle blankets available on the market. It comes in three different color options: an ivory chevron ideal for both boys and girls, gray chevron or pink. The secure design was created to make the baby feel like inside the womb and it closes with Velcro tabs.
Perfect for babies between 0 and six months old, this blanket is suitable for cold weather or if you decide to use the air conditioning system during summer. The Velcro closing can be readjusted as your baby grows, so this swaddle blanket will be a long-time companion.
These classical swaddle blankets made of organic muslin cotton are ideal for both boys and girls regardless the season. Being made of cotton, they are also suitable for babies with sensitive skin, while the fabric is extremely soft.
The standard 47×47 inch size not only gives enough room for swaddling the baby, but also make the blankets perfect for alternative uses, such as car seat or stroller cover, changing blanket, nursing cover and more.
Designed to avoid overheating the baby, these four swaddle blankets are made of 100% muslin cotton, are thin, lightweight and breathable. With their 44×44 inch size, these swaddle blankets are more appropriate for babies below six months.
The thin fabric will not keep your baby warm during winter, but it is perfect for the hot summers. Being a breathable fabric, it will also allow you to use the blankets as nursing covers or as stroller or child seat canopies.
Designed to make swaddling as easy as possible, these beautiful swaddle blankets from Ziggy Baby are made of 100% cotton and come in a unisex color. The blankets have adjustable wings equipped with Velcro closings.
The blankets are made of a breathable, soft and lightweight fabric, and are ideal for babies for up to 14 lbs.
Designed for babies up to six months, these swaddle blankets from Swaddle Me are cozy and will keep the baby safe all night. Creating a womb-like feeling, these swaddle blankets prevent the startle reflex that can wake up the babies and are very comfortable.
These blankets are made of 100% cotton, the fabric being soft and breathable. The blanket flaps can be adjusted to fit any size of baby.
Even if the womb-like swaddle blankets are easier to use compared to the regular swaddle blankets, we still feel that the best swaddle blankets available on the market are the Kaydee Baby Organic Muslin Cotton Swaddle Blankets Set of 2.
We like these blankets for many reasons, beginning with the excellent quality of the fabric used to manufacture them. These blankets are made of 100% organic muslin cotton, being ideal for babies with sensitive skin.
In addition to this great feature, these blankets are thin and breathable, so there is no risk that the baby will overheat.
The standard size of 47×47 makes these blankets perfect from birth until the swaddling is no longer needed. And in addition to being used as swaddle blankets, you can use these blankets for a myriad of other purposes.
You will be able to use these swaddle blankets as anursing cover, stroller and car seat cover or even as picnic blankets.
The unique prints are stylish and fashionable, so you will even be able to use these blankets as shawls during a chill evening. You will be able to choose from many models the patterns you like best, while the gender neutral colors make them perfect for both boys and girls.
Another thing we love is the included present pouch, which makes these blankets an excellent choice even for a baby shower gift.
All these features make these blankets the best swaddle blankets available on the market.
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