Best Swaddles for Newborns

This comfy, popular sleep sack won a What to Expect Award for its versatility. It can be used as a traditional swaddle (with baby's arms in), in the "hands out" position (so baby can use fingers to self-soothe) or in the "arms out" position, which allows baby to begin the transition from swaddle to sleep sack. The zipper is inverted so you can change diapers in the middle of the night without taking the entire blanket off, and the cozy microfleece is the ideal blend of warm but breathable.

Parents whose ninja babies seem to bust out of every swaddle tend to love the Miracle Blanket, which has a foot pouch that helps contain the legs, but also allows for a bit of movement. Although getting it on isn't quite as brainless as some of the other products on the market, it's easy to master once you've tried it a few times. Babies can either be swaddled with arms down by their sides, or with their hands up near their mouths. It's made from 100 percent cotton fabric that just gets softer and cozier with each washing.

As the name suggestions, this blanket lets you swaddle baby with his or her arms up, a position that many infants love. But the cozy cotton fabric, which has just enough stretch to allow for a bit of movement, still helps control the startle reflex to minimize wake-ups. 

The popular baby carrier company also makes a trustworthy swaddle blanket. It has a Healthy Hip Positioner to help encourage the "frog leg" position, which is ergonomically friendly for a baby's developing hips. The bottom piece can be removed for easy diaper changes, or left off completely during warm nights.

Talk about a no-brainer: This simple, 100 percent cotton swaddle is easy to master, since you simply fold over the wings and use the hook-and-loop closures for a customizable fit. The foot pouch can also be pulled down for diaper changes.

The Woombie's slightly hourglass shape was designed to give gentle pressure around your baby's tummy, which may help replicate the feeling of being cozy in the womb. It's easy to use and can be positioned as either a traditional swaddle, with arms wrapped, or as a wearable blanket in the "arms out" position.

These sacks are made from a gorgeous, lightweight breathable cotton that's ideal for warm summer nights — or year-round if your baby is prone to a sweaty head. The snaps make it easy to swaddle your baby perfectly every time.

This isn't a blanket, but rather a strap designed to hold baby's arms in place so the legs are left free. The inner portion goes around the baby's waist, then two mini cushions go over the arms before the outer strap is secured. The simple design is meant to keep babies from overheating and also leave the legs in a comfortable position that supports healthy hip development.

If you’re looking for an easy-to-use, super soft and totally silent swaddle, the Swado is the one for you. The design wraps snugly around baby’s arms while leaving plenty of room for her legs and hips to move around. Our video editor has been using the smaller Swado with his 2-month-old since she was born and just got a larger size so he can keep using it as she grows. One note: Make sure you wash the Swado in the included mesh bag, or else the fastening area might lose its stickiness.

Tons of parents in the What to Expect community swear by the Ollie swaddle for their little ones. The swaddle has three hook-and-loop closures that are staggered in length (a longer loop at the top for a snug fit around baby's torso, and a shorter loop at the bottom for a looser fit around baby's hip area). The stretchy fabric provides room for movement, yet keeps your baby snug and wrapped up. It'll also grow with your baby, as it can be used with both arms tucked in, one arm out or both arms out. Plus, it opens at the bottom for easy middle-of-the-night diaper changes. The downside is its considerably higher price tag, but tons of parents report it was worth the cost.