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This article contains a number of useful articles.
What is swaddling?
When is it safe to swaddle your baby?
What features should you consider when buying swaddles?
You know how difficult it is to swaddle a baby. Swaddling a baby is not an easy task. It can be exhausting, you may worry you are doing it incorrectly, and you may feel a charge screaming at you as you attempt to do so. The rewards of swaddling are numerous.
What is swaddling?
It is undeniably a big transition. Light, sound and smell are all present, but there’s also the ability to move around. The previous habitat did not allow much movement, despite the fact that you felt like they could punch your bladder and throat at the same moment. Some babies find it hard to sleep and can’t stay asleep because of their freedom. Wrapping them snugly with their arms tucked in and legs tucked, you can replicate that feeling of safety inside mama.
Swaddling can also help reduce the moro reaction, which is an adorable but heartbreaking startle that can cause babies to wake up in their sleep without apparent reason during those first weeks and months. Since blankets are not an option during the first year of life, swaddling can keep babies warm and comfortable.
The baby swaddle that saved my motherhood
When is it safe to swaddle your baby?
Rachel Mitchell, sleep specialist and founder of My Sweet Sleeper says that the practice is meant for newborns, but once babies begin rolling over, (between 10-12 week), parents should stop swaddling. Also, some babies do not like to be swaddled. Mitchell recommends a style which allows the baby to raise his arms, or a sleepsack specifically designed for newborns.
You may want to use a velcro-style swaddle if your little Houdini is prone to rashes.
Related: 9 products that Motherly’s mamas swear by for helping babies sleep
What features should you consider when buying a swaddle cover?
It may take several tries to find the right style for your baby. It turns out that the best swaddle for your baby is one that actually works! There are generally two types. There are two main types of swaddles: traditional blankets, which can be difficult to master but provide more flexibility and a customized fit. Pouch-style swaddles offer a better fit and are easier to use. They rely on velcro or zippers for securing the baby. When choosing a swaddle, I recommend looking for a material that is light and breathable. Also, make sure you can achieve a snug fit. I recommend a muslin swaddle for swaddling because sometimes bulky materials or thick ones are hard to wrap. If your baby keeps escaping the swaddle, then a velcro-swaddle is a better option. It will give them a more secure fit.
Related: Baby sleep guides and schedules
Oh, what irony! You could fall asleep in a pile Legos with the Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade marching three feet away from you, but to get your baby to sleep, you need planetary alignment, magic, and an engineering degree.
Not really.
We’ve selected some of the best, most user-friendly swaddles. They don’t require complex math or even an awake parent to use. They may help you get more sleep. From muslin swaddles and cotton sacks, which make diaper changes in the middle of the night as simple as possible. Nothing is better.
Sleep Bag Swaddler
Kyte Baby’s oh-so soft Sleep Bag Swaddlers are loved by Motherly staff as well as experts. The bamboo-based design is breathable and features a dual-zipper that allows for easy entry and exit. It also makes nighttime diaper changing a breeze. The sleep bag is attached to a fully removable swaddle by Velcro. This allows for the swaddle to be positioned differently as your child grows.
Classic Muslin Swaddles (four-pack)
These swaddles are a staple in parenting for a reason. They’ve been around since 1996. The muslin blankets from Aden + Anais can be compared to the Swiss Army knife of parenting. These lightweight, versatile blankets are useful for more than just swaddling a baby. These blankets are perfect for burp cloths, nursing covers, or to cover the stroller when going on an afternoon adventure.
Swaddling is a technique that requires some practice, as there are no clips or velcro to hold it in place. It’s a plus that you can create the wrap that is best suited to your child. It gets softer with each wash, and there are so many beautiful prints to choose!
Baby Swaddle
Solly Baby’s silky, simple, and soft swaddles are also a bit of a challenge to master, but after you do, everything is smooth sailing. The brand has even created some great videos to assist you with your technique. They’re the biggest on the market at 52″ x 52″, and are made of a soft, buttery Tencel Modal material that has the perfect amount of stretch and breatheability. We’d be remiss if we didn’t mention the gorgeous colors and delicate designs which means they can easily live a happy and long life as scarves or wraps after your baby has outgrown the swaddle phase!
SleepSack Multiway Adjustable Cotton Swaddle
It’s sometimes important to have choices. The Halo cotton swaddle, the brand synonymous with sleep bags, allows you to swaddle your baby in their preferred positions. You can choose from arms in, hands on face, or one or both of the arms out. The front flaps allow for a custom fit at the top, while the loose design of the sack allows hips and legs to move freely. In the early days, diaper changes can be frequent and all-night long. An inverted zipper will make it easy to clean up at night.
Sleepea Organic Cotton Swaddle
The Sleepea Swaddles are designed by Dr. Harvey Karp. He is a sleep expert and Snoo creator. They can turn anyone into a 5-second expert swaddler. (Yes, even completely exhausted, new parent zombies.) This foolproof design has a simple, internal band to secure baby’s arms. The outer layer is snug and stretchy so that even the wiggle-worms can’t get out. The 100% organic cotton fabric has breathable mesh panels across the shoulders and legs to prevent baby from overheating. It also features a two-way zip for easy diaper changes. Are you ready to free their arms? It’s no problem. You can use it as a sleep sack by simply unsnapping the arm openings!
Newborn Swaddle Up
Have you been blessed with a sleeper that prefers to “raise the ceiling” and is not a fan traditional swaddling techniques? Choose a swaddle which allows them to move. The Love to Dream Swaddle UP allows your baby to practice self-soothing by reaching their hands to the face. It also provides just enough restriction to prevent them from waking up. The generous bottom allows for their legs to kick and splay while the two-way zip makes diaper changing easy.
Ollie Swaddle
Ollie World is a simple-to-use baby wrap that many parents consider a lifesaver. The swaddle, which was created by the founder, devoted foster mother Hindi Zeidman, in 2009, came about as a result of her need to find a swaddle that worked for Oliver, her little boy. It has gained a cult-like following since then for many reasons. One of the best things about this swaddle is that it’s completely customizable. The Velcro tabs on the top can be adjusted to the desired snugness. While the elastic loop at the bottom secures the swaddle, it allows for a longer fit. The fabric is highly breathable and moisture-wicking, which keeps babies comfortable no matter what the temperature. It can also be used with either one or both of their arms out when they are transitioning to sleep unwrapped.