Find the Best Newborn Swaddle Options for Your Baby

The earliest weeks with your newborn are a blissful haze of sweet cuddles, feedings, and bonding. That sweet haze can quickly turn to a bleary-eyed blur, though, if your little one struggles to sleep. 

If you’ve noticed your baby startling awake shortly after they’ve drifted off or you’re simply looking for a way to help them (and yourself!) rest better, swaddling may be the soothing solution you’ve been looking for. From traditional swaddle blankets to transitional sleep sacks, zippered swaddle bags, and more, we’ve got the best options to help your whole family get some sleep.

How Long Have Humans Been Swaddling Babies?

Swaddling has been used for thousands of years to provide warmth and comfort to young infants. The ancient method of swaddling a baby was used across many cultures and typically involved wrapping them in multiple long strips of linen or wool, depending on the climate and a family’s resources. 

Though the fabrics have undergone some upgrades, this ancient technique is still used reliably to soothe newborns to sleep and help them stay that way. Today, dozens of swaddling options abound, from tried-and-true swaddle blankets to options like swaddle sleep sacks that offer an easier solution.

The Science of Swaddle Blankets

Science backs up what parents have known for millennia: swaddle blankets work. Babies are born with a number of protective reflexes that aid in their feeding, protection, and motor development. As they grow, they will lose many of these reflexes, but until then, safely managing these reflexes can help you and your baby both rest easier.

One such reflex is the Moro reflex, commonly called the startle reflex. The Moro reflex is an involuntary movement where a baby extends their arms and legs, arches their back, and then pulls their arms back in. This protective reflex can be triggered by loud noises, lights, or sudden movements, and typically goes away between two and six months of age. 

While completely harmless, this sudden jerking can disrupt a baby’s sleep—and yours! The simple act of wrapping a baby’s torso and arms in a swaddle blanket or newborn sleep bag helps keep a baby from jerking and waking themselves up while providing them with a cozy, womb-like environment.

Swaddle Products Overview: Blankets, Swaddle Sleep Sacks, and Swaddle Bags

There are many benefits of swaddling, including helping baby get better sleep, but there are just as many different methods for achieving this snug wrap. The most basic option, the swaddle blanket, is a highly versatile, effective, low-cost solution, but it carries a bit of a learning curve.

Modern alternatives like swaddle sleep sacks and zippered swaddle bags offer a simpler approach that makes bleary-eyed nighttime diaper changes much easier. Compare the benefits of each option to see what will serve your family the best. 

Swaddle Blankets for Versatility

Swaddle blankets are such flexible tools that they are a workhorse of any infant layette. Whether or not you choose to use a swaddle blanket as your primary swaddle option, we would encourage you to add at least a couple to your baby registry. A swaddle blanket can be used as a nursing cover, washable changing station cover, breathable sunshade over a stroller, tummy time play mat, and so much more!

Kyte Baby swaddle blankets include 3% spandex for just enough stretch to provide a snug wrap. Our swaddles are also generously sized at 46” by 46” to make it safe and easy to cocoon your little one for a restful night. One of the biggest advantages of a swaddle blanket over newborn sleep bags is its one-size-fits-all feature that grows with your baby and is still useful long past the newborn stage. 

How to Use a Swaddle Blanket

With a little know-how and practice, you’ll be a swaddling expert in no time. You can watch one of dozens of swaddling how-to videos online, but the basic steps for folding a swaddle blanket are straightforward and common across various methods. Follow these simple steps to learn how to swaddle a baby:

Step-by-Step Swaddle Guide:

1. Lay your swaddle blanket on the diagonal, so that it’s shaped like a diamond.

2. Fold the top corner down about a third to form a triangle.

3. Lay your baby on top of the blanket with their shoulders just below the folded area.

4. Bring the left corner of the blanket over your baby’s body, gently holding the baby’s right arm in a natural position against their chest. 

5. Tuck the corner of the blanket securely behind your baby’s back.

6. Bring the bottom corner of the blanket up and tuck it behind your baby’s back, as well.

7. Fold the right corner of the swaddle blanket over your baby’s left arm, holding it gently against the chest.

8. Finally, tuck this last corner securely behind your baby’s back. 

Try a Convertible Swaddle Sleep Sack for Ease

If the idea of mastering origami with a swaddle blanket is a bit too daunting, the ease of a swaddle sleep sack is a great option to consider. Kyte Baby’s sleep bag swaddler is a specialized newborn sleep bag designed to make swaddling simple while providing a versatile sleep solution that your little one can still use after they transition out of swaddles. 

Our swaddle sleep sack includes a detachable Velcro wrap that makes swaddling your little one a simple two-step process. Simply place baby inside their newborn sleep bag and zip it up. Then fasten the removeable wrap securely, but not too tightly, around your baby’s torso with their arms folded naturally across the chest. 

Our swaddle sleep sack includes all the features of our original favorite sleep bags, including the J-shaped dual zipper for simple diaper changes. The detachable wrap is held securely in place by Velcro tabs at the back of the swaddle sleep sack. Once your baby outgrows the swaddling season, you can continue to use the newborn sleep bag without the wrap to provide soothing comfort and continue this important step in your little one’s bedtime routine. 

Zippered Swaddle Bags for an Ultra-Simple Solution

At Kyte Baby, we’re never not innovating. Our new zippered swaddle bag is the first of its kind on the market and provides a brand-new approach to the time-honored swaddling tradition. A one-step swaddle solution, our zippered swaddle bag is incredibly easy to use—no wrapping, tucking, or tricks required. Simply lay your baby in the unzipped swaddle bag, fold their arms across their chest, and zip it closed. 

This specialized newborn sleep bag helps baby make the transition from safe and cozy womb to their big new world. For new parents with lots on their plates, the simple design of a zippered swaddle bag makes it easy to soothe your newborn while ensuring proper hip development and safe sleep.

Get the Right Swaddle Bag Fit for Safety

Our zippered swaddle bags are available in three sizes to ensure the perfect fit for your little one. Prioritize safe sleep by ensuring your baby’s zippered swaddle bag fits properly. 

Your newborn’s sleep bag should fit snugly but should not be too tight. The neck hole should be comfortable for your baby, but should not be able to pass over their head. Reference our size chart to choose the right size zippered swaddle bag for your little one:

• Newborn: Up to 8 lbs.
• XS: 9-13 lbs.
• S: 14-19 lbs.

Use a Swaddle Sleep Sack or Blanket Properly for Good Hip Health and Development

When used correctly, swaddle blankets and swaddle sleep sacks are beneficial tools for soothing a newborn and helping everyone rest better. It is important, however, to ensure proper use to support appropriate hip development. 

Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the bones of the hip joints don’t fit together properly, and can be caused or exacerbated by improper swaddling. To swaddle a baby properly for hip health, ensure that the swaddle blanket or newborn sleep bag is sufficiently loose around their hips and thighs to allow the legs to bend in a natural fetal position. The loose bottoms of our swaddle sleep sacks and swaddle bags make it simple to soothe your little one while supporting healthy hip development.

When to Discontinue Swaddling for Safety

Swaddling can reliably soothe your newborn to sleep during those early weeks, but it’s important to know when it’s no longer safe to continue. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) safe sleep guidelines recommend that you stop swaddling your infant when they first exhibit signs of attempting to roll over, which commonly occurs between three and four months. To be conservative, we advise transitioning away from the swaddle blanket or swaddle sleep sack at the first signs of rolling or at eight weeks of age, whichever comes first. 

Signs that baby is ready to roll:

• Lifting their head and shoulders more during tummy time
• Increased leg and hip strength, such as lifting the hips up
• Kicking and scooting in a circle
• Rolling onto their side

Transitioning Your Little One Out of a Swaddle Sleep Sack

When your baby approaches the upper limit for safe swaddling, it’s time to gradually transition out of the swaddle. We recommend a slow approach to avoid sleep regressions and a fitful bedtime experience. Our convertible swaddle sleep sack makes it easy to navigate this transition. 

First, begin swaddling your little one with one arm out of the swaddle, with the wrap still fastened securely around the torso. Then, swaddle your little one with both arms out. Finally, remove the Velcro wrap altogether and use your Kyte Baby swaddler as a newborn sleep bag.

Say No to Weighted Newborn Sleep Bags

Weighted sleep solutions have been trendy for adults in recent years, with many finding the extra heft soothing. Weighted newborn sleep bags and swaddle sleep sacks have even been released on the market. The AAP states, however, that “Weighted swaddle clothing or weighted objects within swaddles are not safe and therefore not recommended.” 

Weighted products should never be used on a baby. The added pressure from a weighted newborn sleep bag can cause difficulty breathing and lead to sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS).

Appropriate TOG Ratings for Newborn Sleep Bags 

Newborns are born without the ability to effectively regulate their own temperature. This ability will slowly develop over the baby’s early weeks, but will greatly improve by around three months. This means that you’ll need to help your little one stay warm without overheating.

Breathable layers, like pajamas topped with our bamboo newborn sleep bags, are a great way to help your baby stay cozy. At this young age, it’s important not to overbundle your little one, as a hot baby is at greater risk for breathing difficulty and SIDS. 

Select the TOG of your newborn sleep bag based on your nursery temperature, rather than the outdoor temperature. 1.0 TOG is the ideal warmth for rooms between 69°F and 73°F. Our 0.5 TOG is a great summer weight for rooms between 74°F and 78°F, but also makes the perfect light layer for over warmer PJS. Our swaddle sleep sacks are available in 0.5 TOG and 1.0 TOG, while our lightweight swaddle bags are available in 0.5 TOG. 

Why Bamboo Is Ideal for Newborn Sleep Bags and Swaddle Blankets

Our rayon made from 97% bamboo is the Goldilocks of fabrics. With a bamboo newborn sleep bag or swaddle sleep sack, your little one won’t feel too hot or too cold—only just right. Our signature fabric is super soft, lightweight, and breathable to help your infant stay safe and comfortable for their best rest all night.

There are many reasons to love bamboo for newborn sleep bags, from sustainability to health and safety. Bamboo is a highly renewable resource. It grows quickly (as much as a yard per day!) and never needs replanting, fertilizers, or pesticides. It also requires 30% less water to grow than cotton.

Our bamboo newborn sleep bags and swaddle sleep sacks are ultra soft and gentle on delicate newborn skin. They’re even effective at soothing symptoms of itchy eczema! All our newborn sleep bags are OEKO-TEX certified to be free from harmful chemicals, so you can rest easy knowing you’ve made a safe and healthy choice for your little one. 

Support Better Sleep Through Swaddling

Every baby is different, but one thing is true across the board: better sleep makes for a happier baby. Swaddling can help your little one fall asleep faster and stay asleep longer by mimicking the reassuring warmth and snug feel of the womb in their big new world.

You may need to try a few options to discover what works best for your little one. Whether you like the versatility of a swaddle blanket or the ease of a swaddle sleep sack or zippered swaddle bag, you can get the safe sleep support you’re looking for in our range of newborn sleep bags and swaddling solutions at Kyte Baby.