The 5 Best Swaddle Blankets

In those early days of new parenthood, you'll find that there are really only two things that you and your baby need: a proper amount of nourishing food, and sleep. While sleep might be easy enough for your new little one, it is pretty much impossible for you to catch some consistent zzz's. Chances are, if you're in this new phase, you've been doing some research on ways to keep your baby sleeping longer in hopes that you, too, might be able to get some rest. Likely, you've discovered swaddling. In Baby's first few months, they are often started awake by something called the startle reflex. This can keep Baby from staying asleep. The good news? It can be remedied with an easy solution: the swaddle blanket. Meant to keep your baby snuggled against themselves, swaddling your infant allows for the startle reflex to chill for a bit. The result? They sleep a little longer, and you just might, too. And just like with everything baby related, you'll find that there are many style of swaddle blankets to choose from. Confused on which is best? We've outlined the top 5 swaddle blankets for you, below.

SwaddleMe Original Swaddle

An Easy Swaddle

For new parents and caregivers, learning how to swaddle can be tricky. These swaddle blankets cut out the guesswork.

Best Overall

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Parents often swear by swaddling their little newborns for the simple fact that it calms their startle reflex, which in turn keeps Baby sleeping soundly for longer periods of time. But getting the correct swaddle can be a bit of a tricky quest at first. Enter these soft cotton swaddlers by SwaddleMe. First of all, the design of this swaddle blanket makes properly swaddling your baby incredibly easy. Due to the winged design of this blanket, it’s as easy as laying your baby down and wrapping them up securely.

In addition to the easy-to-swaddle design, these darling swaddle blankets have built in harness slits that work with most restrains on car seats or sleeper products. The fabric is soft, breathable, and snug enough to create a feeling of safety for your child yet designed and tested to be 100% safe.

Pros:

Two size options available (0-3 month, 3-6 month).
Four color/patterns available. Comes in a 3 pack.
Completely secure and safe design.

Cons:

Velcro attachment tends to stick to everything in the wash.

Margaux & May Organic Muslin Swaddle Blankets

Simple, Beautiful, and Organic.

These sweet little swaddle blankets are made with high quality, organic cotton fabrics.

Best Organic Swaddle Blanket

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These high-quality, completely non-toxic swaddle blankets are as soft as they are gorgeous. Made from organic cotton and with an eye-catching yet simple pattern, these are generously-sized swaddle blankets that’ll work far beyond those early days.

The size of these blankets is what actually makes them such a fan favorite—they can be used in so many ways. Privacy during feeding, as a burp cloth, as a summer blanket for your toddler, and of course as an ultra-soft and cozy swaddle blanket…really, although these blankets are a bit pricier side, they last for many years and through many uses and phases of babyhood.

Pros:

47″ x 47″ in size.
Two beautiful designs per pack.
Made from organic cotton that just gets softer with each wash.

Cons:

A bit on the higher end, price-wise, for a swaddle blanket set.

Woombie Baby Swaddle Blanket

Taking the guesswork out of a proper swaddle, this Woombie Baby Swaddle Blanket acts as a swaddle and a sleep sack in one. Designed by a RN BSN and nursing team, this is an ergonomic way to swaddle your baby that encourages safe back sleeping as well as safe swaddling practices. With just one step to a safe swaddle, it’s really easy to wrap your baby up and get them cozy: basically, you just zip them into the sack.

Made of a soft, stretchy, and breathable cotton-spandex blend, your baby will be gently held without too much constriction. There is only a zipper to hold your baby in, so there’s no folding, velcro, or other uncomfortable or unsafe closures.

Pros:

Multiple size and age options.
A large variety of sweet designs and patterns.

Cons:

Comes in a pack of one. There are multiple size options available.

Carter’s Simple Joy Flannel Swaddle

Soft and Cozy Flannel Swaddle

If you live in a colder climate during your newborns swaddling days, you'll want a cozier option. These flannel swaddle blankets are just the thing.

Best Cold Weather Swaddle Blanket

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Although it is important to not use blankets that are too heavy and hot for swaddling your baby, there are times when a bit heavier blanket is nice to have on hand. These flannel swaddle blankets are the ideal weight, warmth, and material for a warmer swaddle that’s not too warm. As a bonus, these are made out of 100% cotton flannel. That means they’re highly breathable, super soft, and extra cuddly.

These flannel swaddlers come in a pack of 7.

Pros:

Tagless design for no irritation.
A variety of cute prints and patterns to choose from.

Cons:

Smaller size swaddle blanket, at 30″ x 30″.

Hudson Baby Cotton Muslin Swaddle Blankets

For Those Hot Summer Days

This sweet little 3-pack of Hudson Baby Swaddle Blankets is a warm-weather must have.

Best Lightweight Swaddle Blanket

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These lightweight, breezy cotton muslin baby swaddle blankets are as adorable as they are versatile. They can be used for those first few weeks or months of swaddling, but they are large enough that they work as blankets for breezy summer walks, as a favorite baby blanket, or for toddlers in need of a lightweight blanket. Essentially, these swaddle blankets grow with your baby’s needs.

Hudson Baby’s designs are timeless and yet trendy, and there are a number of adorable prints and patterns to choose from. Each swaddle blanket is 46″ x 46″ in size, and these come in a variety pack of three patterns.

Pros:

Soft and non-irritating, lightweight cotton muslin material.
Large size for swaddling appropriately. As a result, these are versatile enough to grow with your baby through toddlerhood.
Adorable patterns and prints.

Cons:

Blankets come in a 3-pack. You can’t choose each individual pattern, just the pack of three. This is only a problem because the patterns are all ridiculously cute.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are swaddle blankets safe?

This answer isn’t cut-and-dry. Yes, swaddling your baby is safe and even helpful in keeping your little one fast asleep. In contrast, done incorrectly or after Baby learns to roll on their own can come with a pretty high risk and increase in SIDS. Consequently, it’s best that you check with your child’s pediatrician on safe ways to swaddle your baby.

Some key points:

Make sure your baby is not too hot. Swaddling can keep Baby nice and cozy. Because of this, if it’s hot out, you’ll want to use a lightweight swaddle and either no or little clothing underneath.
Do not wrap the swaddle too tightly around the chest. This increases the risk of SIDS.
Do not swaddle on a baby that can roll itself over. Swaddling keeps Baby’s limbs against their body. If they roll and they don’t have use of their arms, they cannot roll back over to a safe position for breathing.
Do not wrap too tightly around Baby’s hips. This can keep legs too straight, which can lead to hip dysplasia.
Do not swaddle too loosely, as this can result in loose fabric that can lead to fabric around the face and nose.
Swaddling isn’t necessary unless it’s something you and your baby want to do. It’s up to you to practice safe swaddling.

Which type of swaddle blanket is the best?

There are a few different types of swaddle blankets, and it’s entirely up to you and your baby which one you prefer. If you’re new to this whole parenthood thing, it might not hurt to try out a few different types of swaddle blanket styles. For some, the simplicity of a large muslin blanket is perfect. For others, a swaddle blanket with built in velcro folds makes swaddling your little one that much easier.

Try out a few kinds, get used to them, make note of how Baby responds, and choose the one that works best for both of you. Therefore, there is no right type of swaddle blanket, only the right one for you.