Best Swaddles of 2023
For brand new parents, there’s no resource quite as precious—or as limited—as sleep. But we do have some good news: pediatric sleep studies have demonstrated that swaddled infants sleep for longer stretches without interruption, and are less fussy, especially in the evening hours.
Albee Baby’s Swaddle Picks
Our swaddle picks are the perfect balance of tried-and-true parent favorites and thoughtful details we love.
Best Swaddle Blanket for Newborns
Copper Pearl Knit Swaddle Blanket
If you’re a first time parent new to the swaddle game, you may find that a blanket with a little give makes achieving an ideal swaddle easier, especially during those first weeks home with your newborn. Copper Pearl’s Knit Swaddle Blankets have the perfect combo of stretch and durability to keep your little one securely wrapped, while allowing enough wiggle room for developing hips.
These super soft and breathable blankets are also extra-large, so they can be used well into toddlerhood and beyond as nursing covers, car seat covers and play blankets.
Noteworthy specs:
- Polyester/rayon blend
- 46” x 46”
Best Budget Friendly Swaddle
Summer Infant SwaddleMe Easy Change Swaddle 3-Pack
The Summer Infant SwaddleMe Easy Change Swaddle is a soft cotton pouch with adjustable wings that wrap around your newborn and secure her in place—easy, right? There’s a zipper running along the bottom, so you can manage those overnight diaper changes without having to unwrap your baby and interrupt her sleep. These swaddle sacks come in an affordable 3-pack, so you’ll always have a backup available even if you skipped out on a load of laundry.
Noteworthy specs:
- 100% cotton
- Small/Medium: 7-14 lbs.
Best Foolproof Swaddle
Dr. Harvey Karp, author of The Happiest Baby on the Block and creator of the 5 S’s system for soothing newborns, designed the Sleepea swaddle. This swaddle is super quick to put on—just 5 seconds—and has a two-way zipper for convenient overnight diaper changes. There’s also an inner strap to hold your baby’s arms in place, so even little ones with major Houdini skills won’t be able to work themselves out of position.
Keep in mind that the Sleepea does not allow for any arm movement, so if your baby prefers having her hands near her face, or isn’t soothed in a traditional swaddle position, this may not be the best option for your family.
Noteworthy specs:
- 100% organic cotton
- Small: 5-12 lbs.
- Medium: 12-18 lbs.
- Large: 18-26 lbs.
Best Transitional Swaddle
Love to Dream Swaddle UP Original
If you’ve spent any time perusing parenting sites and baby books, you’ve likely run across the concept of “self-soothing”. The Swaddle UP gives your baby access to their hands for sucking, allowing for them to self-soothe and settle back into sleep on their own. The fabric wings let your baby sleep with arms up (a preferred position for many newborns) and prevent tiny faces from receiving startle-inducing nail scratches.
Wanting to switch from a traditional and more restrictive swaddle to a sleep sack? The Swaddle UP is the perfect product to ease that transition.
Noteworthy specs:
- 93% cotton, 7% elastane
- X-Small: 4.5-7 lbs.
- Small: 7-13 lbs.
- Medium: 13-19 lbs.
- Large: 19-24 lbs.
Best Muslin Swaddle
Aden + Anais Organic Cotton Swaddles 4-Pack
Aden + Anais traditional swaddle blankets are lightweight and super soft (and get softer after every wash). Because they’re oversized, they’re also incredibly versatile well beyond the newborn phase: big enough to use as a nursing cover, picnic blanket or playmat. And their whimsical prints—also available in coordinating baby gear—mean this swaddle set is the perfect baby shower gift.
If you’re a first-time parent and swaddler, remember there’s a learning curve with any traditional swaddle blanket, and that you’ll need to completely unwrap your baby for diaper changes. Finally, if you have a baby Houdini, it’s possible she’ll be able to work her out of the swaddle.
Noteworthy specs:
- 100% organic cotton muslin
- 47” x 47”
Best Versatile Swaddle
The HALO Sleepsack Swaddle is a 3-way system that allows you to tailor the swaddle to your baby’s sleep style: Arms in, hands-to-face, and arms out (it will also make transitioning from swaddle to sleep sack easier). The zipper and Velcro wings mean a foolproof swaddle every time, and the extra room in the bottom half promotes healthy hip development.
And while the Velcro means getting your baby into the swaddle sack is quick and convenient, it also means a little noise when you’re removing it, which may startle a snoozing baby.
Noteworthy specs:
- 100% cotton
- Newborn: 6-12 lbs.
- Small: 13-18 lbs.
Finding What’s Right for You
Albee Baby is the oldest family-owned specialty baby shop in the US, and we pride ourselves on providing our customers with the best assortment of baby products anywhere, at fair prices, always. We’re committed to being an inclusive resource for parents, and hope you’re feeling empowered to find the right car seat for your family. Still have questions? Feel free to contact our baby gear experts at 877.692.5233 or by email at [email protected].