Many parents say their baby doesn’t like to be swaddled. I don’t have empirical evidence to prove it, but I’ve spoken with enough sleep experts and have had enough experience myself to know that usually that is not true. Parents don’t like to see their baby scream, so when they swaddle their baby and the baby screams, they assume their baby doesn’t like to be swaddled. Being wrapped like a burrito doesn’t look very comfortable, after-all. And therein lies the mistake! Just because something doesn’t look comfortable to me or you, doesn’t mean it’s not comfortable for baby. Swaddling recreates that cozy womb-like environment that is familiar to baby and that’s why, usually, if you give your baby some time they’ll calm down and realize they love the swaddle.
In fact, not only does swaddling help with sleep by recreating the womb environment, it also helps by preventing the moro reflex. The moro reflex is a reaction wherein when a baby is startled – say by a noise – they extend their arms and legs away from their body and usually end up hitting themselves in the face resulting in loud screaming. Lastly, swaddling may prevent babies from turning from their back to a face-down position, potentially protecting them from SIDS.
Needless to say there are many reasons to love swaddling. One of the reasons I use the Snoo is because it allows you to safely swaddle till around month 6 (whereas if you’re not using the Snoo you have to stop at around month 2-3 or whenever baby starts rolling over).
With all that said here’s a look at swaddles that are miracle workers for helping with sleep.
More Baby Gear:
I Tried "Every" Swaddle - Here Are The Swaddles That Give Baby Extra Sleep
-
Ergobaby Swaddler
I was confused when I got this swaddle, but once you know how to use it - it's easy. Maybe it's just me but I had to watch a how-to video 10 times before getting it... now it takes me 10 seconds wrap a baby in this swaddle. Basically lay baby on the swaddle, slide each of his arms into the side pockets, bring up the bottom strap and then put him in the bottom pouch...snug like a baby kangaroo! My baby slept HOURS in this even when he was just three weeks old. It's also very hip-friendly.
$25 at Ergobaby
-
Love to Dream Swaddle Up
If you think your baby doesn't like to be swaddled, maybe it's just that they don't like to be swaddled in the classic hands-down position. Love to Dream is a genius swaddle that lets you swaddle with hands up. Though my baby didn't mind hands down on many occasions, there were times were I simply could not get him to put down his arms! Love to Dream is a lifesaver and it just requires putting each of baby's arms in a pocket and zipping shut.
$29.95 at Love to Dream
-
Anna and Eve Swaddle Strap
While being wrapped like a burrito helps baby feel cozy like he or she did in the womb, if it's very hot, you're double swaddling or you just want to give baby's hips lots of freedom, this swaddle strap will do the trick. Just velcro the inner strap around baby's chest and the outer strap around his or her arms.
$29.99 at Anna and Eve
-
Snoo Sleepea 5-Second Baby Swaddle
This is called the 5-second swaddle, but in my experience it's more like the 1-second swaddle. The brand recently launched a new design and now out of all of the swaddles I've tried, this one - and the Ergobaby -seem to allow for the most hip movement. Basically there's an inner arm band and leg flap and then you just zip the zipper to keep baby snug. I usually double swaddled using this. So I used one of the other swaddles mentioned in this slideshow and then put my baby in the Snoo swaddle - but that's only necessary if you have a very active baby. I also found it helped to have my baby snug before I put him down in the bassinet, so I would swaddle him and have the Snoo Sleepea waiting to go in his bassinet.
$32.95 at Happiest Baby
-
Swado Organic Cotton Swaddle
This is another swaddle that isn't necessarily intuitive to wrap, but once you understand how it works, it will only take you seconds. I love the soft, breathable fabric. Even when I was double swaddling in the summer I felt confident using this because of how great the fabric is.
$40 at Swado
-
The Ollie Swaddle
This is the swaddle by husband swears by. He credits it for the baby sleeping for eight hour stretches beginning at week six (that and bath-time). Don't be put off by the loud velcro - babies actually like noise! They just spent nine months in your belly and it's very loud in there! Just wrap baby following the velcro cues and then tie with the attached band on the bottom. You can also leave the bottom open if you want more hip movement (tough it's hip-safe closed as well).
$59 at The Ollie World
