Best Swaddles for Fussy Newborn Babies

Thankfully, the Woombies are reasonably priced and worth their weight in gold. If you like the idea of swaddling your baby but you’re concerned about overheating, the Summer infant brand should be at the top of your list. It’s a lightweight fabric meant for warmer climates and summertime weather. Their Lunaluxe™ bamboo viscose fabric is ultra-soft and stretchy and great for eczema-prone skin. These swaddles are perfect for that first newborn hospital photo, and they also double as a nursing cover, play mat, stroller cover, burp cloth and more.
Due to the non-adjustable leg pocket at the bottom, extra-tall babies tend to grow out of the swaddle before the 14-week suggested age limit. Lastly, the arm flaps from each side end up under the baby’s back, and if you’re not careful when wrapping, all that extra fabric can get a bit lumpy under the baby’s back. Some users complain about the material being too lightweight, but others see it as increased freedom when choosing how to dress the baby.
The best swaddle blankets can be used during summer months, but we caution you to use lightweight materials and monitor them closely to make sure they are not overheating. The risk is higher when a baby is swaddled because they’re not free to move around and have air circulate. In addition to using a lightweight blanket, regularly feel the skin with your hand to make sure it doesn’t feel hot or clammy. It serves to simulate a womb-like experience while also restricting moving of the baby’s arms and legs.
These include Velcro closures, leg pouches for hassle-free diaper changes, and special arm pockets to keep the baby securely swaddled. By considering these factors, we’ve compiled a list of best swaddle blankets that are both safe and convenient for parents to use. This cotton transitional swaddle sack is perfect for older babies who have learned to roll over but still like the security of a swaddle. Most swaddles are made from cotton or muslin, which is generally recommended. However, there are many new transitional options that also include elastane or spandex to make for a stretchy and snug fit.
All the wearable blankets in this review have a zipper closure. Most have a reverse zipper that starts at the top and ends at the bottom, but some have a 2-way zipper that allows you to unzip from either end. While it seems like a small detail, we think you will appreciate this feature when you can perform midnight diaper changes without undressing your baby. On the Woolino 4 Season Baby, the zipper is located on the side, which keeps it away from the baby’s face and stomach.
Thanks to the wrap around zipper and shoulder snap combo, the Woolino 4 Season Baby can be laid open flat. Lots of extra fabric on the Woolino leaves lots of room to grow, but can be a hassle to deal with when your baby is small. The Woolino 4 Season Baby fits babies from 2 months up to 2 years. Zippered swaddles like the Summer Infant SwaddleMe Pod are simple to use. If you’re looking for ideas and recommendations for a baby registry, don’t miss our Baby Registry Checklist. In my mind, if we didn’t have Harlow wrapped in that Miracle Blanket, none of us were getting any sleep that night.
Like our other picks, the Halo has a two-way zipper that unzips from either the top or bottom. The roomy leg sack makes it easier to change diapers in the middle of the night than models that are more form-fitting. The unsnapped armholes allow babies who prefer to be less constrained or who are transitioning out of swaddles to be swaddled with one arm out. I inspected and tested each swaddle on my own baby, who was around 12 weeks old when testing began. Then I split the swaddles between our four test panel families with babies ranging in age from 2 to 9 weeks, and they tested our finalists for two weeks.
They’ll also come in handy as a play blanket on the floor, a lightweight blanket in the stroller, or a snuggle blanket in your lap. It’s essential that the swaddle blanket is the only thing that’s in the crib with your baby. The SwaddleMe Original Swaddle is a popular inexpensive option and one of the easiest to find in big-box stores. The interior panel uses a thin strip of “quiet Velcro,” which isn’t silent but is definitely less loud than the traditional Velcro found on some other swaddles we tested. The interior wings also use minimal Velcro compared with other models, which makes the material less stiff and more comfortable. I reviewed safe-sleep guidelines from the American Academy of Pediatrics as well.
Available in three sizes, the swaddle sacks envelop the child in a womb-like comfort. They provide warmth and security and keep the baby from getting startled. Durability and longevity are some added features of this swaddle. The SwaddleMe Original swaddle comes in three sizes or stages, suitable for babies weighing from 7lb to 18lb. These swaddles are made from ultra-soft 100% cotton, making the baby feel warm and secure.
One of the cutest things you’ll probably ever see is a sleeping baby swaddled up like a burrito. But swaddle blankets aren’t just decorative wrapping; they’re meant to help infants feel settled. “Swaddling is thought to help calm a newborn baby and improve sleep,” says Carrie M. Brown, MD, a pediatrician at Arkansas Children’s Hospital in Little Rock, Arkansas. Below, we’ll walk you through the types of swaddle blankets available, how to use them, what to look for when shopping and our top picks for the best swaddle blankets available. Make sure the swaddle is secure; you don’t want it coming undone overnight, as that becomes a suffocation hazard Leave room for baby’s legs to freely move about, to avoid potential hip problems. When they’re around 2 to 3 months old, babies generally want their arms free.
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