The best baby swaddles you can buy

Amber Roshay

Jun 11, 2019, 03:30 IST

There's nothing worse than a baby who doesn't sleep. Having an easy-to-use swaddle that feels like mama's arms will help the whole family get some much-needed sleep.
After much research, we found the Aden + Anais Classic Swaddle Baby Blanket to be the best for most parents, thanks to the super-soft and stretchy fabric that creates the perfect baby burrito.

While swaddling does come with some controversy, it's hands-down the best way to get a fussy baby to sleep. I should know: My son, when he was an infant, preferred to only sleep in my arms as I stood and rocked him. The minute I attempted to put him down, his crocodile eye opened, and the wailing began. I was desperate for some relief, and I then discovered Dr. Harvey Karp's book, "The Happiest Baby on the Block," and the five S's (swaddle, side, shush, swing, and suck).

While all five S's play a role in a baby's ability to self-soothe, swaddle is the key to a good night's sleep. Swaddling is wrapping your baby snugly in breathable material to mimic a womb-like sensation. Your baby, when wrapped, relaxes and falls asleep. Or at least, that's the theory. When unwrapped, the Moro reflex or startle reflex is your baby's natural response to an unfamiliar sound or movement. Think of it like the reflex you have when you experience the sensation of falling. Your baby has the same sensation when unwrapped, and when this happens, the movement "startles" them awake.

In the past, pediatricians recommended that babies sleep on their bellies, but with new research into sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS), The American Academy of Pediatrics now recommends that babies sleep on their backs. Back sleeping is safer, yet not the preferred sleeping position for babies (they usually prefer the stomach or side), and it increases the Moro effect. However, swaddles make back sleeping more comfortable and minimize startling.

Like all baby products, swaddles come in all shapes and sizes. As a mom of two kids born 15 months apart, I've tried pretty much every swaddle made. You can find swaddles with Velcro arms, ones with zippers, some promising to fit any-size baby, and others that act as a swaddle, lovey, and burp cloth. Swaddles can cost as little as $5 or as much as $70, in materials ranging from organic muslin to super-stretchy polyester. Thickness levels vary from swaddle to swaddle too.

The swaddle you choose will depend on the following: material, ease of use, effectiveness, safety, size, and cost. We used these factors when reviewing baby swaddles. We looked at hundreds of reviews, consulted other moms, and used personal experience to narrow down the list to the best baby swaddles you can buy.

If you aren't sure if a swaddle is right for your baby, consult your pediatrician.