These Sleep Sacks and Swaddles Actually Got My Fussy Baby to Sleep, So I Used Them Again With My Second Kid

A mom of two kids under 3 shares her top picks from Halo, Ollie, Burt’s Bees, and more, starting at $17.

by Emily Hochberg 

Published: March 11, 2024

Source: 6 ‘Holy Grail’ Swaddles and Sleep Sacks, From $17 (parents.com)

Image: Parents / Tyler Roeland

As a parent of two under 3, it’s been a long time since I got a good night’s sleep. No matter what we did with our first baby, she woke up constantly, and I spent many late nights furiously Googling and shopping for a holy grail fix. And if you clicked on this article, chances are you’re looking for that magic fix, too.

I tried everything, including buying any sleep sack or swaddle that promised extra sleep, and finally found a select few that actually got my baby to bed—they even worked so well that I didn’t buy a single new one for my second.

Starting at $17, these swaddles and sleep sacks from brands like Halo, Burt’s Bees, Ollie, Merlin, and more follow the American Academy of Pediatrics’ safe sleep guidelines and have actually gotten my babies to sleep—buying me precious hours of shut-eye, too.

The Ollie Swaddle

$70 at Amazon

If a holy grail of swaddles exists, it’s this simple swaddle. (Which is good, because for $70, it should be.) Just tuck one side of the swaddle under one arm, wrap the other side over, and fasten with velcro: It’s so quick that my fussy babies didn’t have enough time to realize they were being swaddled. This wasn’t the case with the clunky, zippered options I tried, which seemed easy but woke them up every time. 

Plus, the Ollie’s velcro closure can be customized to fit your baby and stays tight and secure so arms can’t wriggle loose. The swaddle adjusts as your little one grows and works with one or both arms out, too.