Good to Know
10 of the best swaddle blankets to buy: tried and tested by moms and babies
We tasked a panel of moms to test out 10 of the USA's most loved designs — here's what they had to say
Updated: September 12, 2023
Source: Best swaddles: 10 tried and tested options by moms and babies | GoodtoKnow
So you've decided you want to swaddle your baby, but what are the best swaddles?
The best swaddles make the traditional practice of carefully wrapping up your baby in a blanket to help them sleep super easy and fuss-free. If you've done your research, you'll know there are hundreds of swaddling options to choose from — which is great. But with such a variety of choices, it can seem impossible to work out which is best for you and your little one.
Swaddling is nothing new. It essentially helps your baby feel calm, comfy and can help when you're wondering how to get a baby to sleep. But there's an art to learning how to perfect this practice, especially if you're considering using a classic swaddle blanket. On the other hand, more modern swaddles are designed with a whole host of useful features, such as zips and Velcro additions which make nighttime swaddling speedier.
To help make the choice easier for you, we tasked a panel of moms to try out the best market-leading swaddles you can buy right now. After reviewing the latest guidelines on safe swaddling from the American Academy of Pediatricians and speaking to Lindsay Sinopoli, a certified pediatric sleep consultant, lactation counselor, and newborn care specialist — we've pulled together a guide that puts the safety (and sleep) of your baby first.
From classic swaddle blankets and 'transitional' or arms-up swaddles to zip-up swaddles too.
Best baby swaddles 2023
#2. The Ollie Swaddle
The best swaddle with Velcro – a good looking swaddle made from high tech fabric
Specifications
Reasons to buy
- Grows with baby
- Easy on
- Two-way zipper
Reasons to avoid
- Pricey
- Only one TOG option
- Limited designs
Tested by: Lauren Woosey and baby Iggy, aged 14 weeks.
The Ollie Swaddle is the only swaddle featured in our top ten of the best swaddles that doesn’t cover the baby’s shoulders. This is a bonus as it means it easily converts to a transitional swaddle simply by fastening below the little one’s armpits, leaving the arms free.
It took our tester Lauren a few tries to position her baby Iggy correctly, but once he was in place the swaddle was easy to do up with a few sturdy Velcro panels and an elastic loop at the bottom. ‘The Ollie takes about ten seconds to do up, although the pace changes depending on how wriggly my baby is feeling,’ she says. ‘I liked the straightforward, intuitive design.’
Available in five pretty but muted shades, it’s an understated but attractive swaddle that seems to be popping up all over Instagram. ‘It’s definitely a nice-looking swaddle, and the quality feels very good as if it will last a long time,’ says Lauren.
The super soft fabric is woven with patented moisture-wicking threads which claim to reduce the risk of overheating. ‘It’s great that you could use the swaddle year-round because the fabric isn’t too thick or too bulky,’ says Lauren. ‘But it’s still substantial enough to keep the baby cozy.’
A major selling point is easy access for diaper changes. Simply undo the elastic loop and open up the swaddle – there’s no need to fully unswaddle your baby. Some online reviewers note that they’re even able to manage diaper changes on a sleeping baby wearing this swaddle.
This isn’t a cheap swaddle by any means, but the design means that you could get a good few months of use from it. In contrast, many of the other swaddles we tested are sized and thus offer a short window of wear. We like that the Ollie Swaddle will continue to fit your baby as they grow.
- Read our full Ollie Swaddle review