Best Swaddle Blankets Of 2020
As a new parent, you’ll quickly become an expert on sleep: you’ll find yourself discussing the length, quality, and depth of your napping and waking times more than you ever thought possible.
Since a consistently sleeping baby makes for a happy family, new moms and dads are eager to try anything that will help them achieve that state of rested bliss.
Swaddle blankets are a go-to product that will help keep your baby warm while providing a soothing, compact place for them to rest. But how can you be assured that your chosen swaddle blanket is both effective and safe?
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What is a swaddle blanket?
At first glance, a swaddle blanket looks just like a large piece of cloth, and you may be confused as to how it will help your baby sleep better.
The swaddle blanket is very lightweight and usually made out of cotton or muslin, though you can swaddle your baby with any large square piece of cloth.
A soft, thin fabric allows the parent to then use swaddling folds to tuck the blanket around the baby’s baby to make a comfortable cocoon for him or her to sleep in.
It’s important that swaddle blankets use this thing fabric since the folds require multiple layers; cotton and muslin will allow easy folding for the parent while keeping baby from overheating the way wool or flannel would.
The history of swaddling
Swaddling has long been an approach for parents who are hoping to calm their infants and help them sleep better; some historians believe that the practice has been around for more than 4500 years.
It was common in Ancient Greece and was still the standard method for babies into the 16th century. Critics in the 1700s objected to the severe restraints placed on a baby (sometimes until he or she was nine months old) and swaddling fell out of favor in Western culture.
Modern swaddling is far less severe than historic swaddling: today, babies are given more range of motion and spend less time out of swaddles than their historical counterparts. Swaddle blankets are seen as accessories for sleep and soothing instead of a full-time binding apparatus as they once were.
How to use a swaddle blanket
There are several methods you can learn to do a modern swaddle. The square swaddle allows babies to keep their hands near their face, while still wrapping them to keep from startling.
With the square swaddle, lay your blanket flat on the floor and fold over about two inches of the top edge. Then, place your baby’s neck so that it touches the new edge you’ve created; the head should be on the floor while the body is on the blanket. Take the right side of the blanket, fold it over your baby’s body and tuck it underneath your baby’s body on the left side.
Repeat with the remaining left side of the blanket. There will be a significant amount of fabric dangling below your baby’s feet; tug to slightly fan out the bottom of the fabric, then fold it over baby’s midsection. Tuck the ends of the fabric behind your baby’s back. His or her weight will keep the swaddle secure.
See a demonstration of that swaddle here:
The more popular way to swaddle takes a square blanket turned so that it looks like a diamond. The top point of the diamond is folded down, and baby is placed on the edge with his or her neck lined up with the fold.
The left side is folded over and across baby’s chest and then tucked underneath the baby’s back on the right side. Take the bottom point of the blanket and also tuck it underneath baby’s right side.
The remaining point on the right is then crossed over baby’s chest; you can tuck the end point into one of the other folds on the back or bottom or you can allow baby’s weight to secure it when he or she is lying flat.
See a demonstration of that swaddle here:
Benefits to using this type of blanket
Babies often startle themselves awake with their uncoordinated movements; having them swaddled during sleep keeps a soothing pressure on them and prohibits them from moving during sleep.
Newborns find this womb-like experience comforting and families who may also facilitate a calmer baby. The consistent use of a swaddle blanket can also help signal to your baby that it is time to rest and is a clear indicator of when baby should sleep and when he or she should play.
The swaddle blankets allow your baby to sleep peacefully while still keeping his or her hands near the face, which is a natural source of comfort for most infants. Unlike blankets that are placed on top of babies (instead of being wrapped like a swaddle), swaddling blankets are secure, so you don’t have to worry about baby wriggling the blanket on top of his or her face while sleeping.
Studies have shown that colicky babies and babies with medical needs sleep much better on average when swaddled, as they relish the pressure, warmth, and comfort that a swaddle blanket provides.
Downsides to using swaddle blankets
Many parents hesitate to use swaddling blankets for fear that they are inhibiting their child’s natural inclination to move.
Despite this reaction, there is little research that has been done to show that there are any longterm psychological effects to babies who are swaddled.
Some studies have shown some physical responses in extreme cases: traditional full-body binding (which is much tighter than modern swaddling) can cause hip dysplasia in babies if they are not allowed adequate time out of the swaddle.
Because the swaddle blankets control baby’s hands and arms, it is imperative that parents put their baby to sleep on his or her back, as there is an increased risk of SIDS if a baby is allowed to sleep on his or her side or chest while swaddled. Swaddling should be discontinued immediately when a baby learns to roll over.
Wee Sprout Organic Cotton Muslin Blanket
This 47″ square blanket is a fantastic choice for parents who are concerned about the environment and the harsh chemicals that are near baby’s skin.
Organic cotton blankets make for an environmentally-friendly swaddling choice: now, parents don’t have to choose between their convictions and a great blanket to help baby sleep at night.
What We Liked
- checkBlankets use cotton grown without pesticides and are processed without bleach.
- checkWee Sprout blankets are 20% larger than standard blankets.
- checkDye-free products are excellent for tots with sensitive skin or allergies.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleThe organic blankets are slightly thinner than other leading muslin blankets.
- exclamation-trianglePlain white cotton blankets aren’t as eye-catching as other brands.
- exclamation-triangleLarge size may be overwhelming to parents of newborns who have not swaddled before.
Ziggy Baby Muslin Blanket
The Ziggy Baby blankets are a generous 48″ square, which allows parents of older babies to swaddle their little ones still.
A relative newcomer to the baby product market, Ziggy Baby, has quickly become a favorite of parents for their cute patterns and consistent quality.
The large size allows the blanket to be used as a nursing cover or mat as well.
What We Liked
- checkZiggy blankets use a thin weave muslin for baby’s comfort while swaddled.
- checkThe generous size of the blankets allows for parents to customize fit to their infant’s length.
- checkGender neutral colors and patterns mean blankets can be saved for future siblings.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleThe fabric is not as high quality as other muslin swaddling blankets and is thin compared to similar products.
- exclamation-triangleParents report that this muslin can become rougher with use.
- exclamation-triangleThe fabric is easily snagged during regular use and washing.
SwaddleMe Original Swaddle 3-pack, Busy Bees
After seeing parents struggle with the folds and tucks of traditional swaddling, the owners of SwaddleMe came to the rescue with this inventive design.
Baby’s feet are placed in a pouch; then wings are folded over baby’s torso and arms and secured with velcro tabs.
It’s a great alternative to the traditional blanket for parents who want to swaddle their children but don’t have the time, inclination, or skill to use a cotton or muslin blanket.
What We Liked
- checkThe design takes the guesswork out of swaddling.
- checkSwaddles are made from 100% cotton for a soft touch on baby’s skin.
- checkIt provides consistent pressure on baby’s torso and arms with the adjustable wings.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleVelcro panels can attach to other clothes in the dryer and create pilling.
- exclamation-triangleThe swaddles are sold according to size, so parents will have to buy multiple sets as their child grows.
- exclamation-triangleIf your baby has long legs, he or she might not be comfortable, as there is no way to adjust the bottom pouch length.
Aden + Anais Swaddle Pack
One of the biggest names in baby blankets, Aden + Anais manufacture soft, muslin blankets that retain their comfort and shape even after multiple washes.
Because of their popularity, the company produces a much larger range of colors and patterns than competing companies do.
What We Liked
- checkThe slightly stretchy muslin fabric ensures a tight fit for your baby when he or she is swaddled while remaining lightweight enough to ensure that your baby does not overheat.
- checkThe large standard 47″ square muslin blankets can also be used for stroller covers, tummy time mats, and burp cloths.
- checkThe company provides a generous selection of patterns and colors to match any nursery decor or interest.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleThe lightweight weave of the cotton muslin can shred if the seam separates from the fabric.
- exclamation-triangleWhile the muslin should get softer over time, the fabric can begin to pill after repeating washings.
- exclamation-triangleThe colorful blankets are not as soft as the solid white ones due to the printing and dyeing process.
GreForest Baby Swaddle Blanket Blue Star Separate Leggings
For caregivers who like the idea of swaddling, but aren’t sure how to master traditional swaddling techniques, this design provides an easy-to-use option.
The fabric is much thicker than a traditional swaddling blanket for a cozier experience for baby. The star pattern is also great for boys and girls and could easily be passed down to future siblings or friends.
What We Liked
- checkThe parent does not need to know how to swaddle since Velco tabs fasten the blanket in place.
- checkThick fleece and cashmere are both soft and warm
- checkThis is an excellent choice for those living in cold climates.
- checkSeparate leg design allows you to place the baby in a stroller while swaddled.
What We Didn’t Like
- exclamation-triangleThe blanket is quite bulky, and baby can only have a thin onesie on underneath.
- exclamation-triangleThe baby could overheat if not properly supervised.
- exclamation-triangleSince the legs are allowed to kick freely, the baby could still startle him or herself awake.
- exclamation-triangleUnlike swaddling blankets, this piece is size dependent and will have a shorter time span for use.
Conclusion
Of the five products, the Aden + Anais product is the industry standard for traditional swaddling blankets. It is beloved by its users for its size, consistency in swaddling, multiple uses, and overall comfort for baby.
The lightweight muslin weave remains breathable even when wrapped around baby’s body, but is also durable enough to withstand constant washing and drying over years of use.
Its durability means that the blanket can grow with your baby: what was once a swaddling blanket can be a playmat or comfort blanket for a toddler. For parents who are new to swaddling, the larger size of the Aden + Anais blankets provides a generous amount of fabric, so parents don’t have to struggle to tuck those final pieces in when wrapping baby.
Although the blankets do not have velcro or snaps like some of the other swaddling choices, parents should be able to get the hang of their favorite swaddling technique quickly after a few practice tries. The wide range of prints and colors available solidifies the classic Aden + Anais as a parenting must have.