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Credit: Reviewed / Lisa Lawrence

The Best Swaddles of 2024

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Credit: Reviewed / Lisa Lawrence

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Editor's Choice Product image of Happiest Baby Sleepea 5-Second Baby Swaddle
Best Overall

Happiest Baby Sleepea 5-Second Baby Swaddle

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This swaddle will have your baby cozy in seconds and sleeping soundly through the night. It's also easy to change diapers without waking them. Read More

Pros

  • 100% organic cotton
  • Extra-quiet velcro
  • Double zipper

Cons

  • None that we could find
2
Editor's Choice Product image of Summer Infant SwaddleMe Natural Position 2-in-1 Swaddle with Easy Change
Best Value

Summer Infant SwaddleMe Natural Position 2-in-1 Swaddle with Easy Change

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These secure and versatile swaddles are perfect for babies who tend to adjust their arms throughout the night. Read More

Pros

  • Tight and secure
  • Versatile
  • Allows for some arm movement

Cons

  • None that we could find
3
Product image of Summer Infant SwaddleMe Pod

Summer Infant SwaddleMe Pod

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The SwaddleMe Pod zips up the front, containing baby tightly in a bodysuit. Read More

Pros

  • Easy to use
  • Compressive for baby
  • Breathable material

Cons

  • Not durable
  • May not work for older babies
4
Product image of Halo Micro-Fleece SleepSack Swaddle

Halo Micro-Fleece SleepSack Swaddle

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Ideal for colder climates, the Halo swaddle has also proved to be quite durable. Read More

Pros

  • Material is soft
  • Affordable cold weather option

Cons

  • Too bulky and not the right fit to use as a sleep sack
  • Velcro clasp is extremely loud when pulling apart
  • Tends to attach itself to other laundry in the washing machine
5
Product image of Ollie Swaddle

Ollie Swaddle

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Our test baby managed to get her tiny fists out of this swaddle every so often, no matter how tightly we cinched it together. Read More

Pros

  • Soft material
  • Simple design
  • Makes for easy diaper changes

Cons

  • Hard to cinch tight enough
  • Loud velcro
  • Best Overall Happiest Baby Sleepea 5-Second Baby Swaddle
  • Best Value SwaddleMe Natural Position 2-in-1 Swaddle with Easy Change
  • Other Swaddles We Tested
  • How We Tested Swaddles
  • What To Consider When Buying Swaddles
  • More Articles You Might Enjoy

Parents all have the same hope for their newborns when venturing home from the hospital: Please, let this one be a sleeper!

From shushing to rocking, amid many mom tricks for getting babies to sleep, there are a few dangers, too. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) warns against having loose blankets or sheets in the crib with babies younger than 12 months of age, which is a hard sell for parents who innately want to keep their kids cozy and warm. Enter swaddle wraps. By wrapping a baby snugly and safely, these cloth swaddles keep a newborn baby calm and create a perfect recipe for a good night’s sleep for both baby and parent.

Starting at the hospital and continuing at home, our two mom testers spent the first three months of their babies' lives testing every type of swaddle imaginable. During this experience, they determined the best baby swaddle is the Happiest Baby Sleepea (available at Amazon) . It’s tight, easy to get on and off a baby, easy to change a diaper in, and just great all around.

Several other swaddles, like our Best Value-winning SwaddleMe by Summer Infant (available at Amazon) also proved to be pretty great, while others missed the mark.

The Sleepea Swaddles took top marks in our testing.
Credit: Reviewed / Lisa Lawrence

The Sleepea was our overall winner for swaddles.

Best Overall
Happiest Baby Sleepea 5-Second Baby Swaddle

The Happiest Baby Sleepea, designed by Dr. Harvey Karp, boasts itself as the world’s first 5-second swaddle. With its double zipper that can open from top or bottom, inner arm wrap with extra-quiet Velcro, and breathable cotton and mesh to reduce overheating, this swaddle was the number one winner for both of our summer babies.

This swaddle was a game changer, especially for babies who had several dirty diapers in the night during those first few weeks home. This swaddle allowed for easy diaper checks and changes and both babies settled into the swaddle almost by the time the zipper was up.

One of the babies slept so soundly in this baby swaddle that mom was reluctant to switch it up to continue testing. And the other, a veritable swaddle Houdini, failed to bust out of this swaddle even during an extra-long night of sleep. Overall, we have very few negative things to say about the Sleepea.

Pros

  • 100% organic cotton

  • Extra-quiet velcro

  • Double zipper

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon
Summer Infant 2-in-1 swaddles are easy to use, and affordable.
Credit: Reviewed / Lisa Lawrence

Summer Infant 2-in-1 swaddles are easy to use, and affordable.

Best Value
SwaddleMe Natural Position 2-in-1 Swaddle with Easy Change

Like the winning swaddle, the SwaddleMe is secure and does a good job of preventing the startle reflex that will wake your baby. This wearable blanket is slightly more versatile than our top pick, in that you can swaddle your little one with their arms over their chest or by their sides.

Both babies started the night with their hands by their sides, but worked them up towards their chests as the night went on. But they both stayed asleep, which is what mattered.

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.

The material is soft and durable, the designs are cute, and with a low price point, this swaddle is a really solid, budget-savvy purchase to have in your sleep arsenal.

Be warned, however, that over time, the velcro may break down due to being washed.

Pros

  • Tight and secure

  • Versatile

  • Allows for some arm movement

Cons

  • None that we could find

Buy now at Amazon

$14.99 from Walmart

Other Swaddles We Tested

Product image of Summer Infant SwaddleMe Pod
Summer Infant SwaddleMe Pod

Like the SwaddleMe Original, this swaddle is made with breathable cotton and the price is hard to beat! The SwaddleMe Pod zips up the front, containing the baby tightly in a bodysuit. Our newborn loved this option, although after about a month she quickly learned how to move her hands from her sides up to the top, where they’d peek through by the end of a nap.

The material is also less durable, and may start to pill after many washes.

Pros

  • Easy to use

  • Compressive for baby

  • Breathable material

Cons

  • Not durable

  • May not work for older babies

Buy now at Amazon

$30.39 from Walmart
Product image of Halo Micro-Fleece SleepSack Swaddle
Halo Micro-Fleece SleepSack Swaddle

If you live in a colder climate, you’ll love the Halo micro-fleece swaddle, which zips up like a little suit and then has two wings that cross over the front with velcro. Of all the swaddles we tested on cold nights, this was our baby’s favorite. In fact, both test babies slept so well in this swaddle that both moms had to make sure they were breathing. One family took this swaddle camping and found it to be a perfect way to keep baby warm in 40 degree temperatures. As a bonus, one of our test moms used this with her son three years ago, and it’s held up well enough to be used for her daughter now, too.

Pros

  • Material is soft

  • Affordable cold weather option

Cons

  • Too bulky and not the right fit to use as a sleep sack

  • Velcro clasp is extremely loud when pulling apart

  • Tends to attach itself to other laundry in the washing machine

Buy now at Amazon

$29.99 from Target

$29.99 from Walmart
Product image of Ollie Swaddle
Ollie Swaddle

If you use social media, chances are you’ve seen the popular Ollie Swaddle featured in Instagram ads and on influencer’s accounts. Does it live up to the hype? Not quite. We felt pretty neutral about the Ollie Swaddle’s fit and fabric. It comes with a carrier bag and simply folds across your baby’s body tightly with heavy-duty (loud) velcro, like a little straight jacket. It can also be adjusted by tying off the end, so it can fit a baby of any age.

Our test baby managed to get her tiny fists out of this swaddle every so often, no matter how tightly we cinched it together. Plus, the velcro is loud. But if you need to change a diaper in the night, you can do so without causing too much of a ruckus, and the material is soft and stretchy.

It wasn’t our favorite in the bunch but it’s worth trying if your baby resists traditional swaddles.

Pros

  • Soft material

  • Simple design

  • Makes for easy diaper changes

Cons

  • Hard to cinch tight enough

  • Loud velcro

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Aden + Anais 47" Classic Swaddle Set 4-Pack
Aden + Anais 47" Classic Swaddle Set 4-Pack

These versatile blankets are made of muslin cotton and are extremely soft. We tested them as a swaddle blanket and eventually got pretty good at getting our babies wrapped nice and tight, but there’s certainly a learning curve.

Compared to the other options we tested, both babies were able to bust out of these swaddles much more easily, especially as they got older.

The classic Aden and Anais swaddles are soft, they are breathable, and they only get better the more you wash them. Even if you don’t use them to wrap up your baby, we think everyone should have a couple of these blankets to use as a throw over the car seat during a spontaneous nap, an extra layer on breezy stroller trips, or for a quick picnic.

Pros

  • Durable

  • Versatile

  • Extremely soft

Cons

  • Not escape-proof

  • Requires learning curve

Buy now at Amazon
Product image of Ergobaby Swaddler
Ergobaby Swaddler

Another slightly-complicated option, the Ergobaby swaddler also offers great prints and high-quality materials, but it’s another one that can be a bit complex to execute in the middle of the night. The wrap also didn’t keep our little Houdini from pushing her arms through the complex, velcro-ed system and into her mouth.

If your baby eschews a traditional swaddle, this one might be worth trying. But it was too complicated for us, without good results.

Pros

  • Cute patterns

  • Breathable fabric

  • Easy to change diapers

Cons

  • Too complicated

  • Baby can easily escape

Buy now at Amazon

$25.75 from Walmart
Product image of Norani Snugababe Swaddle
Norani Snugababe Swaddle

Billed as a nearly inescapable swaddle, the Norani is a bit complicated: You put baby’s arms in what are essentially wings, then fold the bottom like a traditional swaddle and secure the rest of the fabric across their body. While this setup does keep the baby strapped in tight, the whole process is a bit complicated if you need to execute it in the middle of the night. We also found the swaddle to be bulky with tons of extra fabric—probably ideal for larger babies, but also too much fabric for most babies under 4 months old, which is when you’d stop using it.

Overall, we wanted to like this—and we loved the prints and fabric!—but it was a bit too much for a process that needs to be simple.

Pros

  • Cute prints

  • Quality fabric

  • Hard for baby to escape

Cons

  • Too complicated

  • Too much fabric

$35.00 from Target
Product image of Solly Baby Swaddle
Solly Baby Swaddle

We’re big fans of the Solly baby wrap, which allows you to wear your baby around. The swaddle is made with the same breathable material, but you have to learn how to swaddle tightly and our baby managed to get out of the blanket over and over again.

That said, it is a lovely, soft blanket to have around the house—but it’s a bit too simple for the price.

Pros

  • High quality material

  • Versatile

Cons

  • Learning curve

  • Tough to make tight enough

Buy now at Solly Baby

How We Tested Swaddles

The Testers

Ilana Cohn is a writer and performer living in Los Angeles, and she used to run a podcast called, “Yer Mama.” She loves reading about the latest baby gear and sharing her opinion, so she was excited to have the opportunity to review products with baby number two, starting from day one.

Jenni Gritters tested swaddles on her second child, Lily Ray, who was born mid-summer and was a tenacious tester, escaping most of the swaddles she tried. Jenni previously worked full time as an editor at Wirecutter, and she now reviews all kinds of gear for Wirecutter, Reviewed, Forbes, Slate and beyond.

The Tests

Over the course of the first three months of the two baby’s lives, we tried out many different swaddles. 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 (hopefully) and repeat.

To find the best swaddle, we looked at the fabric quality, ease of use, special features, storage, fit, comfort, ease of wrapping and adjustability, ability to change a diaper and overall experience.

How to Swaddle a Baby

  • If you're using a traditional swaddle blanket, such as the Aden and Anais swaddles, you'll want to start by laying the blanket out on a flat surface and folding down one of the corners.

  • Then, lay your baby face-up on the swaddle blanket, with their head just above the folded corner.

  • Making sure that your baby's arm is positioned straight down by their side, wrap the right corner over your baby, and tuck the end underneath them.

  • Bring the bottom corner of the blanket over your baby's feet, and tuck it underneath their bottom.

  • Finally, wrap the left corner over your baby, again ensuring that their arm is positioned straight by their side, and tuck the end of the swaddle blanket underneath the baby's bottom.

What To Consider When Buying Swaddles

Why Should You Swaddle A Baby?

By immobilizing the baby's arms, a swaddle helps minimize their natural Moro—or startle—reflex, which can interrupt their (and your!) slumber, thereby helping everyone sleep longer.

Because swaddles mimic the feel of the womb—a warm, compact environment—they help calm a baby's anxiety, and ultimately help them to learn to self-soothe.

In addition, swaddles help prevent SIDS by keeping a baby on their back while they sleep, and ensuring that there are no loose blankets in the crib.

Swaddles may also help soothe colicky babies.

Do You Have to Swaddle a Newborn?

While swaddling works for most babies, every newborn is different. If your baby has hip dysplasia or any other hip problems, a tight swaddle may not be comfortable for them.

Other babies may prefer being swaddled with their arms placed across their chest, or with their arms outside the swaddle. As with much of parenting, finding the right swaddling method for your particular baby may take some practice.

How Many Swaddles Do I Need?

Newborns spit up—and poop through their night diapers—often. You'll very likely be faced with having to change your baby's swaddle several times a night. Don't put yourself in the position of being without a clean swaddle when you're most desperate for sleep.

Once you find one that works for you, invest in at least three of them so that you'll always have a clean one on hand.

When To Stop Swaddling

You should stop swaddling your baby once they begin trying to roll over, as this may increase the risk of suffocation. This usually occurs around two months of age, but all babies develop on their own timeline.

Once your baby begins to roll over, you can transition them to a sleep sack, which provides many of the same benefits as swaddles, but enables their arms to be free.

What Is The Best Fabric For A Swaddle?

This is going to depend on where you live. If you live in a temperate climate, a lightweight cotton swaddle may be adequate for your baby at anytime of the year.

On the other hand, if you have a winter baby and live in a cold area, a fleece swaddle—like the Halo—may be the best option for keeping your newborn warm and toasty.

No matter where you live, remember to never put extra blankets in the crib with your newborn, as they can increase the risk of SIDS.

Meet the testers

Ilana Cohn

Ilana Cohn

Contributor

@ilanainla

Ilana Cohn created the show Overdue for AwesomnessTV, where she worked as the showrunner and directed an episode of the series. Ilana also created the series 4th Period Lunch for Mondo Media, Jingle Hit Factory for Nickelodeon, Embarrassing Mom for Disney and the Delores DiGagorio Series for Fremantle Media, for which she won a Webbie Award. Acting wise, Ilana was recently on It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, she's in the cult film Detention, and has done voices on Comedy Central's South Park. She is a mother of two and works in Los Angeles as a writer, director and stand-up comedian.

See all of Ilana Cohn's reviews
Jenni Gritters

Jenni Gritters

Contributor

@jenni_gritters

Jenni Gritters is a journalist with a decade of experience working on parenting, retail, and psychology-focused stories.

You can find her bylines in Reviewed, the Wall Street Journal, Wirecutter, Forbes and beyond.

She typically covers products in the home, health, parenting and outdoor spaces, and has two children ages 1 and 3. When Jenni isn't writing, you can find her hiking in the Central Oregon mountains, where she lives.

See all of Jenni Gritters's reviews

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