In Depth Baby Product Reviews Led by a Pediatrician
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A swaddle is a great way to keep your baby safe, warm, and happy at night. We purchased the top 11 swaddling products available today to find the best swaddle, including swaddling blankets, sleep sacks, and wraps. There are many choices, with options ranging from newborn to toddler for use in warm climates and cold winters. We tested each product for comfort, ease of use, and durability or longevity to determine which options were the best. With hands-on experience and at-home testing, let us help you find the perfect swaddling solution for you and your baby.
The Woolino 4 Season Baby sleep sack is a high-quality 100% Merino wool wearable blanket of with an organic cotton exterior for durability. This sleep sack is naturally flame retardant and wicks moisture away from the baby to regulate their temperature, thanks to the wool's inherent properties. Woolino only makes a one-size sleep sack, which fits most children from 2 months to 2 years. Underarm snaps help create adjustability to keep it snug around children of different sizes. Additional snaps on both shoulders and a 2-way zipper allow it to be opened and laid flat, making it easier to put on, even if your baby is sound asleep. Many users appreciate the side zipper because it stays out of the baby's face and out of chewing range. The Woolino 4 Season also has an opening on the front and back to allow for the crotch strap of a car seat or stroller to pass through, which can be super handy if you would like to transfer a sleeping baby from a crib to a car seat without redressing them.
While advertised as a year-round product, many find that the Woolino is too warm to use during the summer months. The Miracle Blanket is a lighter-weight fabric and could be a better fit for warmer climates if you have concerns. Because this is a one-size-fits-all product, many parents feel there is too much fabric for younger infants and prefer to use it once their baby is older. It's machine washable, but you must follow special washing instructions to keep the wool in good condition. Last, it is expensive, sporting one of the highest price tags in this review. However, many parents think it is worth the initial investment. Thanks to its high quality and multi-age fit, you only have to purchase one or two sleep sacks until the baby is ready to sleep with ordinary blankets. We believe that most families will be happy with the Woolino 4 Season Baby sleep sack.
The Miracle Blanket is an innovative take on the classic swaddle concept. It is a lightweight, 100% cotton fabric recommended for room temps from 67-72°F. Many parents love that it resembles a traditional swaddle more closely but find it much more manageable. When swaddling the baby, an extra flap tucks around each arm to keep them snug and prevent them from breaking out of the swaddle. From there, you wrap the extra-long fabric around and around to keep it secure; no tucking or folding is required. At the bottom is a large pocket for the legs that won't come undone. If you think your baby will be too warm with the extra coverage, you can remove their legs from the pocket. If mom and dad are having trouble getting the wrapping down just right, there is helpful information on how to use the Miracle Blanket on their website.
You can't change a baby's diaper like a traditional swaddle without completely unwrapping the Miracle Blanket. Although it is simpler than a conventional swaddle, it is more involved than zipper swaddles. While also involved, the Ergobaby Swaddler allows for easier diaper changes without removing the entire swaddle. Due to the non-adjustable leg pocket at the bottom, extra-tall babies tend to outgrow the swaddle before the 14-week suggested age limit. Lastly, the arm flaps can end up under the baby's back, and if you're not careful when wrapping, all of the extra fabric can get lumpy under the baby's back. Some users complain about the material being too lightweight, but others see it as increased freedom when choosing the baby's clothes. Adding more layers to keep a baby warm is more manageable than avoiding overheating in a heavyweight sleep swaddle. Overall, we were impressed with the Miracle Blanket and would happily recommend it to anyone. It may be especially handy for those with little Houdini babies who seem to escape from every wrap.
The Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper is a lightweight, 100% organic cotton wearable swaddle transition blanket available in various adorable patterns and is GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard) certified. The material's weight is similar to a thick t-shirt, so we recommend this sleep sack for warmer homes and nurseries. The zipper works in reverse and has a small pocket at the bottom to keep it tucked away and prevent it from catching on to things. The fabric is very soft and machine washable. This sleep sack is longer than others, allowing for lots of extra legroom and making it a good choice for longer babies or those who want to get the most use out of their baby clothes.
Although there are many things to like about this sleep sack, many users note that the fabric is much thinner than anticipated and doesn't provide adequate warmth in colder homes or climates. The Woolino 4 Season Ultimate might be a better choice for those in cooler climates who need something with a little more warmth. The Baby Beekeeper also lacks the convenient shoulder snaps that some other sacks have and may not be as easy to put on the baby. While the quality of the fabric itself is excellent, there is an occasional complaint about assembly quality. Many find loose threads and seams that come undone after a few washes, implying that there may be poor quality control on the manufacturer's end. Because of the extra length, smaller babies may swim in the excess fabric, so be sure to take a look at Burt's Bees size guide to achieve a proper fit. Aside from this, we think that Burt's Bees makes an excellent organic sleep sack that will keep your baby will be happy.
The Ergobaby Swaddler is adorable, 100% cotton, and undeniably soft. The material has some stretch, making it suitable for babies who want some movement, and the neck hole is wider for babies who prefer that style. The manufacturer claims that this swaddle has an ergonomic design that keeps the baby's legs and hips in the proper ergonomic position, promoting healthy hip growth. The removable leg pouch makes diaper changes more accessible, and the swaddle's Velcro is quieter than some competing swaddles in our roundup.
Although we appreciate a Velcro system, users mention that this hook-and-loop system lacks strength, particularly over time. Also, there's a learning curve when first swaddling your baby. This product even comes with an instruction manual. A more straightforward option is the Miracle Blanket, but you do need to remove it to change diapers. However, with practice, we think you'll be a master the Ergobaby swaddler in no time. This product is a contender if you seek a swaddle with an ergonomic design and handy leg pocket for diaper changes.
Aden + Anais makes various baby accessories, but they are perhaps best known for their Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle, our favorite option for versatility. It is a roomy 47" x 47" swaddle blanket from soft cotton muslin and comes in a large selection of cute prints and colors. Muslin is a breathable fabric, but thanks to the multiple layers of material you will be wrapping around the baby, it will keep them reasonably warm. The extra-large size makes it easier to swaddle with, and parents love how well these blankets wash, noting that they don't hold stains from spit-up or other spills and messes. Despite the delicate feeling of muslin, these swaddle blankets last. They can be used for a huge variety of purposes even after your baby has outgrown swaddling, including car seat/stroller cover, burp cloth, nursing cover, tummy time blanket, and changing table cover.
We love these blankets, but there are a few things to remember. To use these blankets as a swaddle, you have to trust your swaddling skills, as you don't want the wrap to come loose, an issue that is not present when using zippered swaddles. The Miracle Blanket is a simpler swaddle that does not require practice and has no learning curve, allowing for quick use. Another common complaint is the Aden + Anais price. However, we think the price is worth it, considering its longevity and potential versatility, and that you get three. We love the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle and would recommend it to anyone looking for a general-use blanket in addition to a swaddle.
The Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle has an ample size to tailor for every size baby or to use for other things outside of swaddling.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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Putting your baby down for the night can be made stress-free with the help of the right tools.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How We Test Swaddles and Sleep Sacks
We researched more than 20 potential contenders for our swaddle and sleep sack review before choosing the options in this review. We considered popular choices and those with highly regarded design choices like organic fabrics and more. We test each product side-by-side to determine the best option for each stage of life and lifestyle choice. We considered quality, design, comfort, and features when comparing products for this roundup. We enlisted multiple children from 2-13 months to help us test our products for fit, comfort, and durability.
Why You Should Trust Us
Our review team is well versed in best baby sleep practices, and each member has contributed hours of research and hands-on experience. The swaddle and sleep sack review is led by a board-certified pediatrician and a fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) Juliet Spurrier, MD, who is also a mother of two. Dr. Spurrier applies her knowledge as a pediatrician to guide our selection process and research methods, focusing on the best safe sleep practices for babies. Conducting the research and testing portion of this review is Senior Review Editor Abriah Wofford. She has tested hundreds of baby products since joining the BabyGearLab team in 2015 and brings to the table experience as a nanny. Rounding out the review team is Senior Review Editor Wendy Schmitz, mother of two, who has been with BabyGearLab since 2014.
How to Choose a Swaddle or Sleep Sack
Finding the right swaddle or sleep sack can feel overwhelming when you aren't familiar with this kind of product. While you can swaddle your little one without considering all the options, products designed specifically for different situations, ages, and baby skill levels can make life easier. There are a few questions to ask before picking the best option, and the best option will change as your little one gets older or develops new skills.
What age is your baby?
Infants and young babies can be wrapped more securely in a swaddle, while bigger babies and those that can roll are better suited for a sleep sack where they have more mobility. As little ones age, their hip development can be affected by a tight swaddle, but newborns feel more secure when swaddled. This is why your journey starts with size, age, and ability. This helps cut the field in half. Do you need a swaddle or a sack?
Climate or Time of Year
Some of the products are for warmer climates, and some assume your home is a bit cooler. What option you choose should consider the climate of your baby's nursery and the time of year in your area. You don't want babies to be overheated or too cold and should choose based on temperature.
Special Features
Features like a reversible zipper or the ability to more securely tuck arms inside might be useful depending on your situation or your baby. If you have a Houdini of a child, then you might need an option that is harder to wiggle out of. If you want to simplify overnight changes, a zipper that pulls up from the bottom so changes can be made without removing the swaddle or sack can be super useful.
The Miracle Blanket has various flaps of fabric that help keep the baby's arms secure through the night and making it nearly escape-proof.
Wrapping up our baby tester Annie tight in the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle.
Analysis and Test Results
Most babies love being swaddled. It can help newborns and infants fall asleep faster and help prevent the Moro reflex that could lead to accidental waking at night. Sometimes, even after a baby outgrows the swaddling stage, they still enjoy being lightly cuddled by their sleepwear. Our review covers the details and differences between swaddles and sleepsacks and helps you decide when is the right time to make the transition. We can help you find the perfect swaddle for your infant or sleep sack for your growing toddler who loves their swaddle but needs something a little different.
Zippered swaddles like the Summer Infant SwaddleMe Pod are simple to use.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Value
Quality materials and construction can set products apart and enable them to endure years of use, possibly through multiple children. Swaddle products are only used during the first 2-3 months of a baby's life, so they are usually much less expensive. One of our favorite swaddles, the Ergobaby Swaddler, offers a good balance between price and quality. When it comes to sleep sacks, you have a product that your child may potentially use until their later toddler years. With that in mind, it may be a good idea to invest in a sleep sack that will fit your baby for an extended period and is durable enough to last. With products like the Woolino 4 Season Baby, your child can keep using it from two months up to two years and during all seasons. The Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper is one of the most affordable sleep sacks we tested but still maintains a quality feel. Remember that you will likely have to buy multiples to use as backups when one is in the wash different sizes to use as your baby grows, and varying weights to use during different seasons.
The Woolino 4 Season Baby fits babies from 2 months up to 2 years.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Wearable Blanket vs. Swaddle Blanket
Swaddles and sleep sacks can be an invaluable addition to your bedtime routine. Swaddles are best for newborns and younger infants, and you often learn how to swaddle in the hospital before you go home. Non-traditional swaddle products attempt to mimic the comforting aspects of a swaddle for a baby but attempt to make it foolproof for parents to master with designs that make it harder for babies to "escape." Sleep sacks are for babies who've aged out of swaddles but still enjoy the comfort of being wrapped in a blanket like a loose burrito.
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.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Baby Comfort
Your baby's comfort should be the first consideration when choosing a sleep sack or swaddle. You want your little one to be as cozy as possible so everyone can get a good night's sleep. Since we can't ask our 2-month-old tester how comfortable they are in a swaddle, we rely on observations such as the softness of the fabric and breathability. We also ensure there is adequate room for the baby's hips and legs to move freely. The presence of zippers and Velcro are less significant, but if they are near the baby's face or bare skin at any point, we give it a lower score. The highest score is earned by the Aden+Anais Classic Swaddle. It is free of Velcro, zippers, and seams that may cause any discomfort and is cotton muslin that gets softer over time. As a traditional swaddle, it is fully adjustable, so you can tailor the wrap to suit your baby's size.
The least comfortable product we encountered is the Summer Infant SwaddleMe Pod. It is made from a lightweight fabric that does not provide much warmth, and the shape is narrow from shoulders to toes, not allowing much room in the leg area. The 2-way zipper is excellent for parent convenience, but the baby will have a zipper pull tab in their face all night.
Fabric/Materials
We think it is good practice to know what you're putting near your baby's skin, especially when it's something they'll be wearing for 8+ hours a day. Our favorite swaddles and sleep sacks are made of natural materials such as cotton or wool and get more points if they are organic, like the Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper.
Fleece is a good option to use during the winter, or for families who live in cooler climates
The Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle is made from cotton muslin that has no stretch but washes well.
The Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper is made from 100% organic cotton.
Most swaddles and sleep sacks come with a temperature guide and recommendations for dressing your baby. Typically, this information is on the company's website or provided in the product's instructions. How you dress your baby will depend on the garment's weight and the nursery temperature. You should always choose the swaddle or sleep sack that best fits your situation and nursery. Some parents tuck their baby inside the product with nothing but a diaper to make nighttime diaper changes more straightforward, while others prefer to have a onesie underneath.
The different materials of the swaddles and sleep sacks also provide varying levels of warmth, and most manufacturers give a TOG rating for their products. A TOG is a measurement unit commonly used in the textile industry to measure a product's warmth. Sleepsacks with a rating of .5 are relatively lightweight and best for babies who live in mild climates or sleep in warm nurseries. The highest recommended TOG for baby sleepwear is 4, but a maximum rating of 2.5 should be sufficient in most homes. The Woolino 4 Season Baby is the only wearable blanket in this review with a wool lining. Wool is a breathable temperature-regulating fabric that helps keep the baby's body temperature stable and does not have a fixed TOG rating. This property makes it ideal for use in a variety of temperatures. An excellent summertime swaddle is the Ergobaby Swaddler with a TOG of 0.5, suitable for rooms between 71°-77°F.
When to Stop Swaddling
Swaddling is good for babies up to about eight weeks old. When your baby starts showing signs of rolling over independently, the swaddle should be retired and replaced with a sleep sack.
Thanks to the wrap around zipper and shoulder snap combo, the Woolino 4 Season Baby can be laid open flat.
The Ergobaby Swaddler is a favorite for proper hip placement.
Ease of Use
Many of the swaddles and sleep sacks in this review are more manageable than a traditional swath of fabric where you fold or wrap the swaddle yourself. They achieve this by using zippers, snaps, and even Velcro in various combinations to create a wearable blanket that is easier to use and takes little practice to master.
The difference in ease of use between swaddles can vary significantly. Classic square swaddle blankets take the most time to master but can become useful later on for other purposes, especially if you choose a high-quality and durable product. However, when you first learn how to wrap your baby, it can be confusing and frustrating. The Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle earned the low score for this metric with a 2. The Woolino 4 Season Ultimate is one of the easiest to use. This score is thanks to a user-friendly zip and snaps system and a handful of other features, such as a seatbelt opening that allows for easy transfers between the stroller, car seat, and crib.
The Miracle Blanket takes some getting used to, but the learning curve is short and intuitive. Using a zipper/wrap combination such as Halo's SleepSack Swaddle offers the same flexibility but is much easier. If you choose to use a zipper-only swaddle, the process is straightforward. Still, you will likely have to purchase several sizes for your fast-growing baby.
The Comfy Cubs is simple and straightforward, plus uses Velcro tabs to achieve a snug fit.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Transitional
Hybrid styles combine the secure feeling of a swaddle with the convenience of a sleep sack. They can come in various styles, from suits to zippered swaddles, and are often helpful during the transition from arms-in to arms-out. Examples include the HALO SleepSack Swaddle, Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit, and the Woombie Grow With Me Convertible Swaddle.
A high quality, easy to use zipper can make all the difference when dressing a squirmy baby for nighttime.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
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. Shoulder snaps come in handy when trying to dress a sleeping baby without waking them. You can lay the baby flat on the garment and wrap, zip, and snap around them rather than trying to force their arms through tiny armholes. Armpit snaps also allow one-size sleep sacks to grow with the baby, keeping the armholes snug but not too snug as they grow.
The Woombie Grow With Me Convertible Swaddle provides five stages of expansion, working for children ages 0-18 months.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Ease of Cleaning
Cleaning your swaddle and sleep sack is an ease-of-use factor, and if having a simple laundry routine is higher up on your checklist, you will want to pay close attention to washing instructions. These can vary from piece to piece and are usually material-dependent, but most sleep sacks will stay in better condition if you zip them and turn them inside out before washing. Most wool and some cotton sacks need to be washed on a delicate or cold cycle and air-dried to avoid shrinking. Suppose you want to throw the blanket in the wash with the rest of the clothes and not add special instructions to your list of a million other things to worry about. In that case, products like the Burt's Bees Baby Beekeeper or the Miracle Blanket are excellent choices.
Parents love that the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle is easy to wash and doesn't hold stains from spit-up and other messes.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Longevity/Durability
The amount of use your swaddle and sleep sack will go through can vary depending on your baby. If your baby is a light sleeper and will typically only stay asleep when following a strict routine, your swaddle will have to be able to stand up to daily use and washings. The Woolino 4 Season Ultimate and Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle tied for the high score in this metric, both earning nines. The two products are high quality, very durable, and can be used for a more extended time.
If you are looking for a product for occasional use, this metric may be less of a consideration for you. If you are in a pinch, Comfy Cubs Swaddle Blankets are the least durable, but they have a hard-to-beat price. The Love to Dream Swaddle UP and Summer Infant SwaddleMe Pod also didn't impress in this metric, but their price is compatible with the lower-quality and might meet your needs depending on your goals.
We also considered how long a product is useable regardless of its durability when scoring this metric. In this case, the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle is the clear winner. The plain design and high quality make it ideal for long-term use and give it more flexibility for uses outside of swaddling.
Charts like this can help you know how to properly dress baby during the night.
Credit: Sleeperific
Dressing for Sleep
Babies are not very good at regulating their temperature, especially in the first year of life. The ideal room temperature for a newborn is between 68° F and 72° F, and if you put a baby in multiple layers, they can be too warm. Most parents use sleep sacks and swaddles over clothing, and many come with instructions on how to dress a baby underneath, depending on the room temperature. A good rule of thumb is to add one more layer than you need to feel comfortable. Take care not to overdress the baby, as overheating can increase the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
Finding a swaddle or sleep sack that your baby likes will help smooth your nightly routine.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
How to Swaddle
You need to wrap the baby tight enough on top that the blanket won't come loose and become a safety hazard. At the same time, the fabric around the hips and legs needs to be flexible enough to give the joints the freedom to move naturally. Swaddling this way helps avoid hip dysplasia or instability or looseness of the hip joint. For more information on how to safely swaddle, read our article on how to practice safe swaddling to protect baby's hips
Always put your baby on their back to sleep. Swaddling can help keep infants in this position and lessen the likelihood of accidentally rolling over early. The swaddle should be retired as soon as it shows signs of turning over. Once a baby can go from back to tummy and tummy to back, usually around one year, they can sleep in any position they choose.
Place baby on a firm mattress to sleep, free of loose blankets, pillows, bumpers, or toys to help reduce suffocation hazards. Nothing should be in the crib or bassinet with the baby, and you should never let the baby sleep on a couch, armchair, or sofa.
Room share, but do NOT bed share. Keeping your baby in the same room, on a separate sleep surface, for the first 6-12 months helps you maintain a close eye on your baby and can be more convenient.
Using a pacifier can help reduce the risk of SIDS, even if it falls out after the baby has fallen asleep.
Safety First
As always, safety comes first. In addition to finding the best product for your lifestyle, developing good habits and following safe sleep practices is crucial. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) has updated its safe sleep guidelines with new recommendations, including the mention that weighted bedding, swaddles, sleepers, and other weighted products should not be used with babies. For more information, see their article, specifically Table 3, which compares the old vs. new recommendations. This is your best source of safe sleep information.
Swaddling can help babies feel secure and calm while going to sleep.
Credit: Abriah Wofford
Conclusion
Keeping your baby warm and soothed during sleep time is the first priority, and swaddling is one sleeping solution. Swaddling can help calm your infant and prevent frequent waking, potentially increasing nighttime slumber. A wearable blanket for older babies helps keep loose blankets and pillows out of your baby's crib for longer to align with the recommended safe sleeping practices to help avoid SIDs. We did our homework on the products in this review and gathered the details you need to make the best decision for your baby and budget.
