I don’t know about you, but for me, there are 2 critical elements to a good swaddle blanket.
These are non-negotiable, and I won’t waste my money on a swaddle blanket that doesn’t meet these 2 criteria:
1. It MUST be escape-proof. This is absolutely critical. I don’t want my baby breaking out and waking up in the middle of the night. If my baby starts fussing in the middle of a nap, I don’t want to worry he’s escaped the swaddler. I want to know he cannot get out!
2. It MUST be pre-formed. As in, I messed around long enough with regular, square blankets, and I simply wouldn’t ever go back to using them. They CAN work well once you’ve got the hang of them, but they are easier to break out of, and it’s easy to do it wrong (resulting in baby breaking free, see #1 above).
For fussy or colicky babies, there’s a 3rd bonus criteria:
3. You MUST be able to use the swaddle blanket in the swing. Since many fussy babies like to nap or even spend the night in the swing, it’s critical to have this option.
Through my experience having two babies who needed to be swaddled, and through running The Fussy Baby Site since 2007, I’ve gotten the chance to try, test, review, and hear about many different swaddle blankets. Here are, in my opinion, the best swaddle blankets on the market today.
Swaddle Buddy | Miracle Blanket | Swaddle Strap | Woombie |
Swaddle Buddy | Miracle Blanket | Swaddle Strap | Woombie |
The Swaddle Suit is a fantastic option for squirmy, active babies. The hook and loop opening means quick nighttime diaper changes, and the arms-only swaddle means your little one can swing while swaddled. Also available in a full swaddle design.
Features:
For babies who prefer to be fully swaddled, the miracle blanket provides a snug, secure swaddle without using velcro, hooks, or fasteners of any type. The snugness of the swaddle can be adjusted by simply tightening or loosening the wrap, a useful trait as your baby grows. We did find that our son outgrew this in terms of length before he was ready to wean from the swaddle.
Features:
As our all the swaddle blankets on this list, The Swaddle Strap is escape-proof, and the arms-only swaddle means it is perfect for use in the swing or bouncy seat. It’s simple design allows for quick and easy swaddling, and since only the arms are covered, this is the ideal solution for warm weather swaddling.
Features:
The Woombie replicates the experience of the womb more fully than any swaddler I’ve tested. The soft, stretchy fabric allows some movement, while still providing a feeling of snugness and security. Comes in a variety of thicknesses and various levels of stretchiness, depending on how snug your baby likes to be swaddled.
Features:
Although I prefer pre-formed swaddle blankets, a regular swaddle blanket that keeps coming to my attention is the Aden & Anais Muslin Swaddling blanket.
Features:
If I were going to use a traditional swaddling blanket, the Aden and Anais Muslin Swaddler is the one I would choose.
*When used according to the instructions
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