I really love this swaddle; it's definitely worth the price. It's easy to use compared with other swaddling blankets I've tried, and I particularly like that the zipper lets you change a diaper without taking your baby out of the swaddle." Specs The USP here is definitely the inclusion of some eye-catching ‘wings’ built into the top of the swaddle. At first glance, they're maybe more Batman than cute and comfy, but our tester found the movement this provided priceless for soothing her little girl, as it allowed her to sleep in her favourite 'arms-up' position. While not all babies like to sleep in this position, this is the swaddle most highly rated by both our tester and most frequently recommended by Mumsnet users. Examine the swaddler to see how much of a custom fit you can get. Some swaddlers have inner bands that keep babies from being able to break out, while others utilize Velcro. There are also models that use a hook and loop attachment to secure the wings. As your baby gets older, you may notice the swaddlers switch to snaps. This is to give parents the option to free their babies’ arms during the weaning process.

The Tommee Tippee Gro Bag snuggle. It can be used as a swaddle with the arms poppered or as a regular sleeping bag with them undone. Just beware the sizing as I found they run really small.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter RandomQuest) Many new parents often wonder why you need to swaddle a baby, especially a newborn, as they don’t move around a great deal. I used the Zippy last night for the first time and it's great! It's a lot better than the other Velcro swaddles. I used to struggle to swaddle my baby after night feedings, and this made it so much easier."Dr. Murray recommends swaddling, when done correctly, as safe for newborns. “The key components to safety are ensuring the swaddle cannot become loose or move up over the baby's face and that the baby's legs are not tightly snuggled with their hips flexed,” she says. This innovative swaddle blanket stands out because it doesn't force your baby's arms down. The wings allow babies access to their hands, albeit fabric-covered, for self-soothing. This swaddle also gives babies the freedom to sleep with their arms up by their heads, as some babies like to do. The Love to Dream soothes babies with evenly distributed, gentle pressure, and the hip-healthy design allows babies to move their legs easily. Heads up While 100% cotton material is soft, it could have been softer, and the fabric’s quality started to lose its integrity after a few washes. Still, the receiving blankets come in several pattern and color themes, like mint green or dinosaurs, and are a solid budget choice, especially since no one really needs these to last very long anyway. Love to dream! We tried the TT gro swaddles and found the sizing to be quite small. It felt really constricting around her torso with her arms in and and she wasn’t a big baby. Also she likes to have arms up a bit so the love to dream has been great. Most of my mums group use the love to dream also.” (Loved by Mumsnet user Lpc123) Babies have a ‘startle reflex’, an instinctive movement that frequently wakes them up throughout the night. Swaddling your baby involves wrapping them up so that their arms are held close to their body, and so they're is unable to move and ‘startle’ themselves awake. This often means they can sleep longer and more deeply, in turn allowing you a little extra rest.

Do not wrap the SwaddleMe too loose or too tight around your baby. If it is too loose, your baby may be able to wriggle free and run the material’s risk to be a suffocation hazard. If it is too tight, you may impede your baby’s ability to breathe comfortably.Make sure their hips can move and that the blanket is not too tight. You want to be able to get at least two or three fingers between the baby's chest and the swaddle.

View in gallery FAQ – How to Use a SwaddleMe My baby will be born in the winter – will the SwaddleMe fit over a onesie for added warmth? I love this swaddle. It doesn't stretch out like others do. The zippered bottom is great for diaper changes, too." Swaddling has been scientifically proven to soothe upset babies because it mimics pressure similar to the pressure felt in their mother’s womb," Ashton McCutchen, a certified pediatric sleep consultant and pediatric registered nurse, tells Verywell Family. "Swaddling also helps your baby control their startle reflex, which is what causes their arms and legs to jolt when startled by noise or movement." Although these safety warnings can sound alarming, it’s important to remember that SIDS is rare and that swaddling as a practice has been used for thousands of years. How long should you swaddle a baby for? By doing this, we whittled our longlist down and chose a selection of products that we think offer something for everybody. Why you should trust usCotton: Cotton is one of the most breathable fabrics on the market, so while air will easily flow through, it’s also lightweight and durable. But take note: This is a patented “arms-up” swaddle method with no options for other positions, so it’s not ideal for older babies who may prefer to move around. These swaddle blankets are 100-percent cotton, and intended for baby's rooms that are between 74 and 76 degrees – they aren't ideal for cooler environments. Parents say A great combination of tight swaddling with a little bit of wiggle room, this swaddle works wonders however your baby likes to sleep. The fabric is lusciously soft and light, and our mini-tester seemed extremely cosy and content in her Moses basket. We tried so many different swaddles and my DD seemed to hate them all - she would just fight against it and get so frustrated and angry. I'd just about given up on swaddling, and the idea of her sleeping anywhere other than me, then tried one last type called the Miracle Blanket. It comes with a 100% guarantee that it will help your baby get to sleep and stay asleep longer and it honestly works! It's saved my sleep.” (Recommended by Mumsnetter MissHoney85)

While it’s available in multiple sizes (small through large) to accommodate any baby, it’s best as a newborn swaddle due to its snugness. You’ll want to ensure it’s not too restricting, as tightly wrapping a baby’s legs can lead to hip dysplasia or hip dislocation. The Miracle blanket comes highly recommended by parents who’ve tried other swaddles and come to their wit’s end. So if your baby has a strong startle reflex, colic or finds it hard to settle, it’s definitely worth giving the Miracle Blanket a whirl. The SwaddleMe brand understands the importance of baby having a good rest, be it during the day or night, and for parents to feel confident in calming and comforting their baby. Made with 100% cotton muslin, our tester rated it for its softness and breathability. But by far and away the biggest selling point for this swaddle is the multiple uses it has. It can be used as a cot blanket on a warmer day, a blanket for the park, a cot cover for nap time, a muslin for burping and, of course, as a swaddle. But take note: It’s way smaller than other brands we tested, so it has a limited lifetime as a swaddle.It helps to prevent babies from waking themselves through their startle reflex and helps them to feel cozy and safe. This is not as simple as the one zip system of the POD, but it is still easy to use, even for a complete beginner. The Zippy is super easy to use, and has two layers of wrapping to keep your baby super snug and comfortable. Waist straps go over your baby's middle, then arm wings wrap around your baby and are secured with Velcro. There's plenty of fabric at the bottom, so your baby's legs have freedom to move. We love the zipper at the bottom for easy-access diaper changes. Also, the fabric designs are bright and fun. Heads up This reflex continues until they are around five months of age and peaks at around the age range of two months. This startle reflex is no different to when adults dream that they are falling and jerk their body to wake themselves up. Why we like it: From day one in the hospital, we found this swaddle useful (and budget-friendly) for sleep time, feeding, and holding bubs.