Lexie has more than 15 years of experience in the textiles industry and a degree in fiber science from Cornell University. Prior to joining GH in 2013, she worked in merchandising and product development in the fashion and home industries. You lay this blanket flat and put your baby on top, with their shoulders above the blanket. Their arms are secured at their sides with flaps that are also inside the blanket. Then you wrap the outside around and tuck the end of the fabric under your baby.
They aim to provide their customers with sustainable, effortless designs that they can enjoy during pregnancy and after their babies are born. They focus on comfort for both mothers and their babies, which is evident in the design of this dream swaddle. Safe sleep and skin-to-skin care in the neonatal period for healthy term newborns. However, for premature or colicky babies in particular, swaddling can be a very effective, soothing tool to help them sleep better. Each baby and parent or caregiver combo is unique, so if you have questions about whether swaddling is right for your baby, give your pediatrician a call.
It’s also the perfect transition swaddle if you’re looking to make the switch from a traditional arms-in swaddle to a sleep sack. Parents also love the ease of the zipper and hip-friendly leg positioning. Ever notice how some babies naturally sleep with their arms up over their head in a “victory” position?
We would test each swaddle through at least two sleeps and we revisited each a month later. We wrote down the results as they were happening because as anyone who has a newborn knows, those first few months are a whirlwind of feed, burp, change, sleep and repeat. Both babies started the night with their hands by their sides, but worked them up towards their chests as the night went on. Our swaddle Houdini did manage to bust out of the SwaddleMe once she hit the 3-month mark, but this kept her securely compressed during the early days. We never publish any content related to the health or well-being of your child without first consulting with expert pediatricians, midwives, therapists, OB/GYNs, and other specialists as appropriate.
Made from 100% cotton, the best swaddle blankets are adjustable and feature wings that can be firmly secured around your baby with a Velcro-like fastener. These swaddles couldn’t be simpler and the price allows for parents to stock up on spares for those inevitable middle-of-the-night messes. Because babies will eventually have to learn to sleep without being swaddled, there are swaddles designed for the big transition. You just want to ensure your baby’s hips are free to avoid dislocation or hip dysplasia from happening. The 100% cotton material is soft yet thin, making it ideal for warmer seasons.
A big point of difference for this swaddle is that you secure the bottom with an included elastic band. Watching the instructional video from the brand can help you get it right, but home testers told us they found it easy and that the design is very adjustable, able to fit long and tall babies. Unfolded, the Ollie is a blanket with three strong hook-and-loop closures. You lay your baby on the blanket, shoulders above blanket level, and pull and secure your baby’s left side and then their right side, making use of the closures. Though functional, the closures make a loud ripping sound when you unswaddle, we found. The swaddle is not tied or fastened anywhere; the tight wrapping is what keeps it securely in place.