Newborn Swaddles Our Night Nurses Recommend

Getting a newborn settled for sleep can be one of the biggest adjustments of those early weeks. One thing our nurses see over and over again is that many newborns sleep more comfortably when they feel snug and secure.

Swaddling can help recreate some of the close, contained feeling babies were used to in the womb, while also helping reduce sudden arm movements that can wake them.

While a traditional muslin blanket can work, many parents find that zippered or Velcro swaddles are much easier to manage during middle-of-the-night feeds and diaper changes.

Our nurses also know that there is no single swaddle that works for every baby. Some newborns love having their arms fully contained, while others prefer their hands near their face or eventually want their arms free. Because of that, we recommend having a few different styles available rather than assuming one will work from day one.

The Halo SleepSack Swaddle can be used three different ways to accomodate an individual baby's sleep preferences.

One of the swaddles our team recommends most often is the Halo SleepSack Swaddle.

Its wraparound design allows for several arm positions, which makes it a practical option as your baby’s preferences begin to change. The zippered bottom also makes overnight diaper changes easier, which matters when you are trying to keep stimulation low at 2:00 a.m. Just be sure the wrap is secured correctly, since especially wiggly babies may work their way loose if it is too relaxed.

The Happiest Baby Sleepea is approved by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute, and another favorite of our Night Nurses.

Another favorite among our nurses is the Happiest Baby Sleepea.

This one has a more compressive fit and an interior panel designed to help keep babies from breaking out of the swaddle. It can also transition to arms-out use and is made with breathable fabric. The tradeoff is that the more structured design can make diaper changes a little less convenient, and sizing tends to feel snug.

The ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Sack is a two-way zip, breathable organic cotton option our nursing team likes for newborns.

For parents who want something extremely simple, the ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Sack is another option our team likes.

There are no complicated wings to position — you place baby inside and zip it closed. It can be used with arms in or out, and the stretchy fabric provides gentle compression without feeling as restrictive as some traditional swaddles.

The biggest takeaway from our nurses: do not buy six of the same swaddle before your baby arrives.

Start with two or three different styles and see what your newborn actually prefers. Babies can have very different sleep preferences, and the swaddle that works beautifully during week one may not be the one you are using a month later.

One important note: swaddling should always be used in accordance with current safe-sleep guidance, and it should be discontinued once a baby shows signs of attempting to roll.