The 8 Best Swaddles of 2021

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Our Top Picks

Best Overall: SwaddleMe Original Swaddle at Amazon

"Constructed of 100 percent cotton so your baby's temperature can regulate without overheating."

Best Swaddle Blanket: Aden + Anais Classic at Amazon

"Made of soft bamboo muslin with 18 different print options to suit the baby's nursery."

Best Convertible: HALO Sleepsack Plushy Dot Velboa at Amazon

"Has a zipper up the middle, which brilliantly unzips from the bottom."

Best for Preemies: SwaddleMe Pod at Amazon

"Simply zip up the middle, no need for wrapping, fastening or tricky folding."

Best for Transitioning: Magic Sleepsuit Mircofleece at Amazon

"Keeps them warm and cozy, but there’s no wrapping necessary."

Best for Baby’s Hips: Ergobaby Original Swaddler at Amazon

"Designed to keep their legs in an ergonomic position, which promotes healthy hip growth."

Best for “Arms-Up” Position: Swaddle Up Original at Amazon

"Twin-design zipper keeps it secure and makes diaper changes easy."

Best for Summer: The Ollie Swaddle at Amazon

"Comes with a delicates laundry bag to use when washing this swaddle."

Let’s face it: Swaddles can be a lifesaver when you have a newborn. Before you leave the hospital, you will probably learn how to do a blanket swaddle. But getting those perfect every time can be difficult, especially when it’s 2 a.m. and all you want to do is go back to sleep. Thankfully, there are several different types of swaddles on the market, but there are some factors you should consider.

What many parents and caregivers don’t realize is that swaddles are not a one-size-fits-all, so you’ll need to buy the appropriate size for your baby’s age. You’ll also want to consider the material, making sure it’s breathable or warm enough, depending on where you live. Moreover, think about the purpose of the swaddle, as some help with reflexes while others assist with transitioning out of the swaddle.

Here are some of the best swaddles to keep your baby snug and comfortable.

Good to Know

The AAP approves of swaddling, but they do have some safe sleep guidelines, so be sure to follow these before bringing your baby home. The top ones are to always place your baby to sleep on their back and to stop swaddling around the 2-month mark when your baby learns how to roll over.

Best Overall: SwaddleMe Original Swaddle

If your little one fights the power of the swaddle, an option like the SwaddleMe, which comes with Velcro to secure it, will help soothe your little one without them breaking free in the middle of the night. This set comes with three swaddles, so you'll have one the baby can wear, one in the wash, and one on standby for when spit ups and blowouts occur. It's constructed of 100% cotton so your baby's temperature can regulate without overheating.

Parents who have tried many other swaddles claim this is the best fit yet. They're great for smaller babies but they have two sizes so you can get a larger package if you expect a big baby.

When you are trying to transition out of the swaddle you can place one arm or both out of the swaddle to get them used to sleep with their hands "free." One note—these need to be completely undone for a middle of the night diaper change, so it might be a negative for some parents.

Best Swaddle Blanket: Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Blanket

These blankets from Aden + Anais get high marks all around for their versatility. Not only are they a great weight and size (47 x 47 inches) for swaddling, but you can also use them as a tummy time blanket, nursing cover, burp cloth, and more. New moms will appreciate their versatility.

You will have to master your swaddling techniques, as they have no Velcro or other fasteners to secure them. The good news is that once you do, you can create a wrap that’s just right for your baby. This set of four is made of soft bamboo muslin with 18 different print options to suit the baby's nursery.

Customers rave about how soft and beautiful these blankets are. Those in warm climates particularly like how lightweight the muslin is for swaddling.

Best Convertible: HALO® Sleepsack® Plushy Dot Velboa Swaddle

HALO® Sleepsack® Plushy Dot Velboa Swaddle - NB — Courtesy of Target

A veteran of the sleepsack business, Halo makes a variety of wearable sleep blankets, including this soft, plush swaddle suit. It comes in three soft, pastel colors—cream, pink, and blue— and is made of 100 percent polyester. It also comes in a variety of other materials to suit warmer or colder climates and patterns.

This doesn’t take as much skill to master as some of the other swaddle options, as it has a zipper up the middle, which brilliantly unzips from the bottom to make diaper changes easy, and adjustable fasteners that keep the swaddle in place. It’s versatile too, as you can choose to swaddle your baby one of three ways—with arms in, hands-to-face or one or both arms—to match their sleep style. This one is also endorsed by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute for being “Hip Healthy.”

Parents love this swaddle, saying it’s the perfect alternative to a blanket, and many credit it with helping their newborns sleep soundly.

Best for Preemies: SwaddleMe Pod

These pod swaddles from SwaddleMe will keep tiny, newborn babies snug and warm. Designed for those weighing 5-12 pounds and up to 21 inches, they simply zip up the middle, no need for wrapping, fastening or tricky folding.

This pack comes with two sacks, one printed with adorable butterflies and the other in a sweet shade of pink. They also come in an array of other colors, patterns, and materials, as well as in bigger sizes for when baby grows (see our best overall pick). These are made of 93% cotton and 7% Spandex that has a nice stretch to it, and they have a two-way zipper to make diaper changes as easy as possible.

Thankful parents say these swaddles are lifesavers and extremely easy to use. Some, however, don’t like the fact that they don’t wrap baby as tightly as some other options on the market.

Best for Transitioning: Baby Merlin's Magic Sleepsuit Microfleece

Babies can’t be swaddled forever (most manufacturers recommend you discontinue their use once baby can roll to their stomach, while the AAP suggests 2 months), and this microfleece “magic” sleepsuit from Baby Merlin will help make the transition out of one easier, since it still calms their startle reflex but they won't be able to roll over in it. It’s designed for babies 3-6 months and 12-18 pounds, and it also comes in larger sizes as well.

With full arms and legs, it keeps them warm and cozy, but there’s no wrapping necessary. You simply put baby in, then zip up the double zippers on the front of the suit. The hands and feet are open. It’s made of microfleece on the outside with an inner layer of breathable cotton.

Parents say it’s the perfect transition, and many believe in the “magic” of this sleep suit. “If you thought unicorns were magic, try this suit,” one reviewer wrote.

What Our Editors Say

"This is one of the first sleep products I recommend to all of my friends when they have kids. Once we were past the swaddling stage, this adorable suit helped our son take baby steps toward learning how to self-soothe." — Ashleigh Morley, Editorial Director of Verywell Family Commerce

Best for Baby’s Hips: Ergobaby Original Swaddler

This swaddle is specifically designed to help prevent hip dysplasia, a condition in which an infant’s hip joints don’t form properly. It’s designed to keep their legs in an ergonomic position, which promotes healthy hip growth, and keep their arms in a “hands to heart” position. While fasteners keep them securely in place, there’s also a removable leg pouch to make diaper changes easy.

This one is made of 100% cotton, but it comes in a variety of other colors and fabrics as well. It’s designed for infants weighing between 6-15 pounds. The majority of parents rave about its ease of use and effectiveness, though some parents report that their little ones were able to escape this swaddle.

Best for “Arms-Up” Position: Love To Dream Swaddle UP Original

While some babies feel more secure with their arms snuggly nestled beside or across their bodies, other babies sleep more soundly in the natural “arms-up” position, which allows them to self soothe. This swaddle from Love to Dream allows them to do just that, but also offers the snug, secure feel of a swaddle to calm the startle reflex and help them sleep better. A simple twin-design zipper keeps it secure and makes diaper changes easy with no Velcro or other fasteners to master.

This one is designed for babies from 6.5-13 pounds, but it comes in other sizes as well and in a variety of colors and prints. While it doesn’t work for every baby, the majority of parents say it’s not only adorable, but that it’s a great alternative to more traditional swaddles.

Best for Summer: The Ollie Swaddle

Just like top-of-the-line athletic wear for adults, this swaddle is made of moisture-wicking material to keep baby comfortable. Made of 86% polyester and 14% Spandex, it’s lightweight and breathable to prevent overheating. Velcro tabs up top keep it secure, while an elastic tie loop keeps the bottom closed around baby’s feet. When it’s time to change their diaper, you simply open the bottom, with no need to unfasten the rest of the swaddle. It also comes with a delicates laundry bag to use when washing this swaddle.

While this swaddle is a bit pricier than other swaddling options on the market, the majority of parents say this one is worth every penny of it. And can you really put a price tag on sleep?

If you’re a fan of blanket swaddles, check out blankets from Aden + Anais (view at Amazon). Not only are they a great weight and size for swaddling, but you can also use them as a tummy time blanket, nursing cover, burp cloth, and more. There’s also the SwaddleMe Original Swaddle (view at Amazon), which earned our Best Overall pick thanks to its Velcro and 100 percent cotton material. They're great for smaller babies but they have two sizes so you can get a larger package if you expect a big baby.

What to Look for When Buying a Swaddle

Material

Before you purchase a swaddle, you will want to take into consideration the climate of where you live and the temperature you typically keep your home at. This will help you determine which material will be best for your newborn to stay warm but not overheat. There are many materials swaddles are made from, so it’s important to know where to start. Here are some materials you’ll want to keep in mind when buying a swaddle.

Breathable: With breathable fabric, airflow will be more prominent so any moisture the body creates will quickly evaporate. This type of fabric is perfect for a hot climate or if you keep your home’s temperature on the warmer side.

Cotton: Cotton is one of the most breathable fabrics on the market, so while air will easily flow through, it’s also lightweight and durable.

Seasonal: Some swaddles are made of a thicker material, like fleece, which is great for locations with a cold climate. It’s best to note, though, that babies can easily overheat with fleece, so it’s best to use this type of fabric in cold temperatures.

Stretch: No matter what type of swaddle you decide on, you’ll want it to have some stretch. You’ll be able to stretch the blanket or fabric to the right amount of tightness for a proper fit on your newborn.

Purpose

Because swaddles are only safe until your baby starts to roll over, or around the 2-month mark, determine the purpose of the swaddle before buying. Not all swaddles are aimed for use immediately after birth, so consider what you’ll be using the swaddle for.

For example, if you’re needing a swaddle for your newborn baby, check out swaddle blankets or Velcro swaddles. These will help with any startling reflexes your baby may have because the swaddles will resemble being in the womb.

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.

Size/Age

Swaddles come in different sizes for each age, which is an important factor many parents and caregivers don’t know. Knowing the correct size will keep your baby safe as a blanket that’s too big for them may become loose and then a suffocation hazard.

Double check the manufacturer’s age recommendation for the swaddle before you buy. Stick with that guideline to ensure your baby will have a proper fit and stay safe.

FAQs

Is it safe for a baby to sleep in a swaddle blanket?

Swaddle blankets are absolutely safe for baby to sleep in. You will probably see your baby first swaddled in a blanket while at the hospital where you’ll learn how to properly swaddle. Once you get home, you can perfect your swaddle technique.

In the meantime, it’s important to know that swaddle blankets soothe babies because they’re snug and resemble the womb. When swaddling is done correctly, it can promote sleep and help baby calm down if they’re upset.

What's the difference between a regular baby blanket and a swaddle blanket?

With a swaddle blanket, there’s a specific technique to getting the blanket nice and snug around your baby. This is considered safe by the AAP, however, a regular baby blanket that’s loose in your little one’s safe sleep space is not safe. Loose blankets pose a suffocation risk.

The AAP says while swaddle blankets are safe, a swaddle that’s unwrapped or too loose also poses a suffocation risk. That’s why it’s so important to have a secure swaddle blanket and to never swaddle past the 2-month mark or when your baby first starts trying to roll over.

Why Trust Verywell Family?

Katrina Cossey has been a digital content producer and news and feature writer for more than six years. She has covered topics ranging from local and national news as well as writing and researching for parenting content. Katrina is a parent herself, and found Velcro swaddles to be the most helpful during her child’s newborn days.

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Article Sources

Verywell Family uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.

American Academy of Pediatrics. Swaddling: Is it safe?. Updated January 12, 2017.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Developmental dislocation (dysplasia) of the hip (DDH). Updated January 2018.