Swaddle Blankets 101

In my opinion, there’s three things you need with a newborn: milk, diapers and swaddle blankets. With a five-week-old swaddle-a-holic at home, I currently feel like a swaddle blanket expert. This is my third baby, and although I remember swaddling my first two, I don’t think they required it (or enjoyed it) as much as baby #3.

So, as much as I’d love to just tell you which brand and style to get, I have to say…each one of these has a feature that I love the most! So, I’m breaking it down for you. Hoping that my experience with FIVE, yes, five different swaddles will help you find the one that works best for you!

1. Swaddle Me is a hybrid swaddle and pocket blanket. Its velcro closure lets you adjust the tightness easily around the infant, and they come in a variety of sizes that grow with the baby. PROS: It’s made of a lightweight cotton, and its minimal wrapping leaves the baby perfectly snug. CONS: The velcro closure makes for a noisy adjustment at the 3am feeding.

2. SwaddleDesigns Ultimate Receiving Blankets are large, square, lightweight and breathable (42 x 42 inches). It comes in a variety of adorable prints and is made of cotton flannel, similar to the blankets the nurses wrap so snugly around your newborn in the hospital. PROS: The cotton flannel washes really well, and the weight of the blanket makes it really easy to tuck in the corners to successfully make a baby burrito. CONS: In Texas at least, the cotton flannel gets a little hot during the summer months. Luckily, SwaddleDesigns now offers a lightweight blanket too!

3. The Miracle Blanket is a swaddle designed to keep wiggly arms and legs securely tucked into the blanket, and with Houdini for a daughter—she can get her arms out of anything—this is the one blanket that seems to keep her in place! It’s made with a soft cotton knit, and washes well. PROS: It’s exclusive pocket design is perfect for keeping arms and legs tucked in securely! CONS: It takes a little practice to get the arms tucked in so that it’s not too tight or too loose.

4. Aden + Anais‘ original swaddles offer style and function. Its large size is perfect for any size infant, and the slight stretch helps you wrap your infant snugly. PROS: This is the blanket with a thousand uses. Nursing cover, check. Car seat cover, check. Toddler blanket, check. CONS: Their original design is a cotton muslin, which does get softer with each wash, but with anything baby, I like it soft from minute one.

5. Aden + Anais‘ bamboo cotton swaddles are by far the softest of all of the blankets. With the same size as the original Aden + Anais swaddles but with extra softness, it’s hard for this not to be your favorite go-to blanket. PROS: The over-sized blanket folds up to fit easily into your diaper bag. CONS: The bamboo cotton comes with a price tag, but personally, I think it’s worth every penny!

So there’s my top 5! I’d love to hear if you have a favorite swaddle blanket. I’m willing to try anything, especially if it might help me get a few extra hours of sleep!