The Swaddle That Aims to Cool Down Your Baby — Does It Work?

by Alexandra Frost

Updated: July 31, 2024

Source: The Swaddle That Aims to Cool Down Your Baby — Does It Work? | Sleepopolis

Ask any new parents about their favorite swaddle, and they’ll likely have some opinions. That’s because babies can be such fickle sleepers, and parents often lean on products promising the perfect solution to those dreaded night wakings. But since babies can’t talk, it’s hard to figure out — are they too hot? Too cold? Is it too tight? Too loose? And how can we keep babies safe from swaddles that come loose?

The Ollie swaddle aims to solve this issue. Here’s how to find out if it’s right for your baby for cooler nights and longer stretches of sleep.

What Is the Ollie Swaddle?

Sure, you can wrap your baby in just about any lightweight blanket as long as you know how to swaddle, and have a technique to keep it tight enough for safety. Or, brands like Ollie World offer simpler solutions, with large velcro strips that wrap around the baby and stay put. Here are some of the benefits of this swaddle the company promotes:

• Moisture-wicking threads are used in the fabric, which Ollie World says supports reduced overheating risk for babies
• The fabric has stretch to it, which allows for movement and reduces startle reflex and waking
• Encourages and maintains a supine position
• Swaddle can be used with both arms in or out
• Customizable size and transitions with baby as they grow
• Ability to open at bottom that allows for diaper changes without unswaddling

Hindi Zeidman, founder of The Ollie World says in a statement to Sleepopolis that the moisture wicking fabric is commonly used in workout clothing and sportswear because the material is designed to pull or “wick” moisture away from the skin. “The idea is that by bringing perspiration away from skin and to the top of the fabric it evaporates more easily instead of being trapped between the fabric and your body. If sweat is not wicked away from the body during exertion, the moisture can easily cool down and even freeze, causing body temperatures to lower dangerously,” she adds. 

“During the warmer months, the Ollie will ensure that your little one stays secure, dry and free from sweat. During the colder months, the Ollie will serve to keep your little one secure and warm without causing overheating.”

Do Babies Need Cooling Swaddles?

It’s hard to tell what the heck babies need, isn’t it? But, parents can use cues from their baby such as fussiness, sweating, and feeling the back of their neck to determine if the baby seems too hot or cold. While it’s obvious that fleece pajamas might make a baby toastier than a “cooling” swaddle such as Ollie, there’s no hard data on whether cooling swaddles are useful or necessary. Consider these factors when choosing Ollie versus another swaddle.

If your baby, and their environment, run on the hotter or cooler side

According to the University Hospitals in Ohio, swaddling can help maintain body temperature when snug and the baby is firstborn. However, swaddling can also lead to overheating if too many layers are included. University Hospitals reminded parents that babies typically only need one additional layer, when compared to their parents.

Additionally, University Hospitals remind parents that swaddling for the first 6-8 weeks of a baby’s life. A 2023 study found that swaddling can lead to overheating, which increases the risk of SIDS. (1) Additionally, the study found that midline swaddling (allowing the baby’s fingers to be free for finger play and arms bent at the midline) can be less stressful to babies than traditional swaddling. Ollie allows for each of these options, and the fabric might be cooler than traditional swaddle blankets.

How long your baby will use the cooling swaddle

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, swaddling should stop once the child can roll over, which is typically around 3 months of age. This is due to an increased risk of SIDS for babies who are swaddled and can’t move out of the tummy or side position while sleeping. So, if your baby is already a few months old, you might not get much use out of the swaddle now. But, if you are pregnant or have a newborn, it could be worth it.

Your Swaddle Choice Shouldn’t be your Only Consideration 

Babies should sleep alone, on their backs, and in a crib without other objects. While the swaddle choice is important for safety and temperature control, it’s also not the only factor, and might not be a quick fix for other issues. For example, if your baby has colic, reflux, or other problems, there isn’t any evidence that any type of swaddle or product is the quick fix, sadly. However, the more comfortable, safe, and cool but cozy your baby is, the higher the chance everyone will get a few extra Zzzs.

Alternatives to the Ollie Cooling Swaddle Blanket

If you picture a sack of potatoes, and the little tie or closure that keeps them secure, that’s what the bottom of the Ollie sack looks like. This allows for too-long sacks to be more customized to the baby’s length, and also allows for easy diaper changes. This is one feature that’s hard to compete with when it comes to other swaddles. However, if this feature isn’t important to you, cheaper alternatives to the Ollie include SwaddleMe by Ingenuity, or the HALO Sleepsack Swaddle Ideal Temp in 1.5 Tog.  You can also put the baby in lighter pajamas, such as bamboo, or even turn the temperature down in the baby’s room, keeping it at a comfortable 68-72 degrees Fahrenheit if possible.

As always, don’t forget to contact your pediatrician with specific sleep concerns, including overheating or sweating, for their advice, as every child is different, and products don’t solve everything.