There are so many baby swaddles out there, each one claiming to be the best swaddle, which makes choosing the best swaddle for Baby really tricky for new and expecting parents. For help keeping unsafe swaddles out of your baby&#;s crib and help narrowing down your perfect pick&#;check out our step-by-step swaddle buying guide. Here, what to look for in a baby swaddle&#;plus, why swaddles are a must-add to every baby registry.
For more information, please visit UNIMETONE.
Why swaddle a baby?
The age-old practice of swaddling&#;aka wrapping your baby like a burrito&#;offers babies a sense of comfort, familiarity, and security. That&#;s why the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) says that, when done correctly, swaddling can effectively help calm infants and promote sleep. That&#;s also why nurses and midwives always swaddle newborns! Here&#;s what swaddling can do for your baby:
When to Swaddle Your Baby
You should swaddle your baby for naps and nighttime sleep from the start&#;and continue doing so throughout your baby&#;s missing fourth trimester. This is a period of three to four months after birth when your newborn&#;s still-developing brain and nervous system remain reliant on the womb-like sensations of the 5 S&#;s for sleep and comfort.
Your baby should be mostly unswaddled during awake time, but if they&#;re especially fussy and need extra help settling down, pediatrician and leading swaddling expert, Dr. Harvey Karp, says that swaddling outside of sleepytime can help.
Dr. Karp also notes that while babies often do best when swaddled until 4 to 5 months old, swaddling must stop once your baby can roll. (A swaddled baby may roll onto their tummy and then get stuck in that position because their hands aren&#;t free, which is dangerous.) The exception: SNOO babies can be safely swaddled for up to 6 months, thanks to SNOO&#;s built-in swaddle. (SNOO is the only medical device to receive De Novo Authorization from the FDA for its ability to keep sleeping babies safely on their backs. For important safety info visit www.happiestbaby.com/fda.)
What are the different types of baby swaddles?
Not all swaddle blankets are the same! Here&#;s a breakdown of the types of swaddles you&#;ll find in store or available to put on your baby registry:
Traditional Swaddle Blanket: These thin blankets made of soft muslin or cotton are usually about a 47-inch square. They&#;re meant to be manually folded around your baby to create a snug wrap. Nurses and midwives most-often wrap newborns in these types of swaddles after birth. (Here&#;s how to fold a traditional swaddle.)
Cocoon or Guided Swaddle: These swaddle blankets are designed without any fasteners. Instead, they rely upon well-placed pouches and &#;wings&#; to secure your baby.
Ready Made Swaddle: These easy-to-execute swaddle blankets secure your baby&#;s body inside of a sack that&#;s outfitted with &#;wings&#; that securely wrap your baby&#;s arms. (The multi-award winning Sleepea swaddle also features a leg flap and a two-way zipper, adding to the safe and secure fit.)
Pouch Swaddle: Here, your baby is held snug inside a pouch or sack that can be zippered or fastened, but their arms are not secured with any additional features.
What&#;s the difference between a newborn swaddle and a sleep sack?
A newborn swaddle is meant to mimic the snug hug of the womb, holding a baby&#;s arms against their body. Unless your baby is securely swaddled in SNOO, a swaddle blanket is only meant for infants who are not yet able to roll. A sleep sack is a wearable blanket where a baby or toddler&#;s arms are free. This is another way to keep children warm during sleepytime without the danger of loose blankets.
What&#;s a transitional swaddle?
A transitional swaddle allows for arms-out sleeping and is meant for babies who are just about ready to graduate from a baby swaddle to a sleep sack. Some transitional swaddles still contain a baby&#;s arms in loose fabric, while others allow for one- and two-arm free sleeping. Sleepea, for instance, is not only a ready-made baby swaddle, but a transitional swaddle as well. Each Sleepea has snaps at both shoulders that can be opened to allow your little one to get used to arms-free snoozing, which is likely why Good Housekeeping voted Sleepea the Best Transitional Swaddle.
Remember: If your baby is rolling (and not sleeping in SNOO), a transitional swaddle or sleep sack is a safety must! Once your little one can roll onto their belly, it&#;s no longer safe for them to be swaddled. They need to be able to use their hands to push up from the mattress.
Best Baby Swaddle Must: Simple to Use
Swaddling is not always an easy task. In fact, new-parent nerves plus sleep deprivation can make swaddling feel downright impossible. That means, parents might, 1) give up on swaddling too soon, or 2) improperly wrap their baby, so that the swaddle comes loose, unravels, or rides up over a baby&#;s mouth and nose, putting their little one in danger. That&#;s why it&#;s important to select a swaddle that makes it easy-peasy to get right. One to consider: The Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle, which was voted Best Easy Swaddle by Babylist, Easiest Swaddle to Use by What to Expect, and reviewers for New York Magazine&#;s The Strategist simply note that Sleepea is &#;magic.&#;
Best Baby Swaddle Must: AAP-Approved
In , the AAP released an update of their safe sleep recommendations, which included a warning against weighted swaddles, stating that they&#;re &#;not safe and not recommended.&#; The nonprofit organization made up of 67,000 children&#;s physicians went on to warn that weighted swaddles can lead to lower oxygen levels, which if sustained, may be harmful to your infant&#;s developing brain. Plus, weighted swaddles may also impair a baby&#;s arousal, potentially contributing to their risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS).
In short, always opt for a non-weighted swaddle, always lay your swaddled baby on their back, and always make sure that their crib or bassinet is free of all loose bedding, bumper pads, pillows, stuffed toys, sleep positioners, loungers, and wedges.
Best Baby Swaddle Must: Breathability
To help keep your baby cool and comfortable all sleep long, look for swaddles made of breathable natural fabrics, like cotton. (Avoid manmade fabrics, like fleece, that trap heat.) Your choice of fabric is important because your little one&#;s body temperature rises much faster than yours&#;and they sweat less&#;making babies especially vulnerable to overheating, which is an uncomfortable sleep-sapper and can raise a baby&#;s risk of SIDS.
For even more breathability, go for a 100% GOTS certified organic cotton swaddle. The Sleep Foundation notes that organic cotton tends to be more breathable than regular cotton. And the National Eczema Association reports that it&#;s best to choose organic cotton whenever possible. Happiest Baby&#;s Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle, voted Best Swaddle by The New York Times is not only made of 100% GOTS-certified organic cotton, but many feature mesh panels at Baby&#;s shoulders and knees that allows for even more breathability.
For more Personalized Swaddle Blanketinformation, please contact us. We will provide professional answers.
Best Baby Swaddle Must: Hip-Safe
When babies are swaddled with their legs straight, it can impair proper hip development and cause hip dysplasia. With hip dysplasia, the ball and socket that ensure your baby&#;s hips can move freely, no longer fit together perfectly. Instead, the socket becomes too shallow, so the ball keeps popping out. To help keep little hips healthy look for a swaddle blanket that is snug around the arms, but loose around the hips and legs that allows your little one to bend, flex, and open their hips easily, like a frog. Unsure if your swaddle of choice has the perfect mix of snug up top, loose at the bottom? Check to see if the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI) has labeled your swaddle pick hip-healthy. (PS: Sleepea, Sleepea Comforter Sack, plus SNOO Sack have all been deemed a hip-healthy choice by IHDI.)
Best Baby Swaddle Must: Easy Diaper Changes
Middle-of-the-night diaper changes are a guarantee with babies, so your swaddle needs to allow for the easiest diaper swap-outs possible. To do that, you&#;ll want to avoid complicated swaddle blankets that need to be fully removed and rewrapped each diaper change. Opt for a swaddle that features an easy-access double-sided zipper and/or extra quiet adjustable fasteners, so your baby won&#;t startle awake or become fussy during a diaper change. Here&#;s another place where Happiest Baby&#;s Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle stands out. Insider calls Sleepea&#;s zipper and closures &#;whisper-quiet,&#; while USA Today&#;s Reviewed not only awarded Sleepea its top prize for Best Overall Swaddle, they noted that the Happiest Baby swaddle is a &#;game changer&#; when it comes to easy diaper checks and changes.
Best Baby Swaddle Must: Proper Fit
You know how you may be one size jeans at your favorite store and a totally different size at another store? The same holds true for baby items. Before purchasing any baby swaddles, check the size chart (which should include pounds) and scan the online reviews to see if parents note a swaddle runs small, large, or just-right. You know your baby is in the ideal swaddle size if you can place two to three fingers between your baby&#;s chest and the swaddle. Also, make sure the swaddle snug at the arms and loose at the hips. (You baby should be able to easily move their legs.)
More on Swaddling:
View more posts tagged, swaddling
The Ultimate Guide to Choosing the Best Swaddle for Your Baby
Swaddling is a popular technique used to help calm and soothe newborn babies. It mimics the feeling of being in the womb, providing a sense of security and comfort for your little one. But not only that, studies have shown that swaddling can also help babies sleep longer and more soundly. In this guide, we'll provide you with all the information you need to make an informed decision when selecting the perfect swaddle for your baby and how it can help them sleep better.
Studies have shown that swaddling can help soothe babies, which leads to longer sleep. Swaddling can also help prevent the startle reflex, which can wake babies up in the middle of the night. When babies are swaddled, they feel more secure and calm, and as a result, they sleep longer and deeper. Swaddling mimics the mother's womb, where they are used to being secure and warm.
Types Of Swaddles
First, let's talk about the different types of swaddles available. There are four main types of swaddles: weighted, traditional, velcro, and zipper. Weighted swaddles have recently become more popular. They contain beads sewn into the blanket to add weight to the blanket in order to provide a method to soothe the baby. Weighted blankets however are not recommended by the The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) and are NOT considered a safe sleep environment for baby. Traditional swaddles are usually made of muslin or cotton and are often square or rectangular in shape. They are wrapped around the baby and fastened with snaps or ties. Velcro swaddles are similar to traditional swaddles, but they have velcro closures instead of snaps or ties. Zipper swaddles are the easiest to use, they have a zipper that runs along the edge, allowing you to easily place your baby inside.
embé swaddles are particularly created with a zipper and a velcro. The zipper runs from top down so that the closure doesn't touch baby's face. The extra large velcro piece ensures a more secure fit so that baby won't break out of the swaddle. This double enclosure style swaddle promotes extra protection to prevent loose blankets in the crib and safety for baby.
When choosing a swaddle, consider the ease of use. If you're a new parent, you may want to opt for a zipper swaddle, as it's the easiest to use. If you're more experienced, you may prefer a traditional or velcro swaddle.
Next, consider the material of the swaddle. Muslin and cotton are the most popular choices, as they are breathable, soft, and safe for your baby's delicate skin. Avoid any materials that may be rough or irritating to your baby's skin. Not only that, but studies have shown that babies sleep longer and more soundly when they are swaddled in breathable materials.
embé puts safety and quality on the forefront, which is why all of the swaddles are used with 100% breathable cotton material with no synthetic materials added.
Safety is another important factor to consider when choosing a swaddle. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that babies be placed on their backs to sleep, and that the swaddle should not be too tight. This will prevent your baby from overheating, and reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS). Many swaddles wrap babies up well, but in the warmer temperatures, may cause baby to be too warm. embé swaddles are the only swaddles in the world that allow arms AND feet to be out of the swaddle. This can help babies cool down or warm up.
Many swaddles on the market right now may not qualify as being hip-healthy swaddles. These are the type of swaddle that allows a baby's hips to move freely, preventing them from becoming constrained in a position that can lead to hip dysplasia. Hip dysplasia is a condition in which the hip joint is not properly formed, which can lead to problems such as pain, instability, and arthritis. A hip-healthy swaddle typically allows for the baby's legs to be in a "frog-like" position, which allows for natural movement and development of the hip joint. Babies need this room to grow their legs and hips out well and cannot have it be too constrained while developing. embé swaddles are recognized as hip-healthy by the International Hip Dysplasia Institute (IHDI), while you maybe surprised to learn that many other popular swaddles are not. A complete list of swaddles that are deemed hip-healthy can be found on the IHDI website.
Lastly, consider the design and style of the swaddle. There are many different designs and patterns available, from solid colors to fun prints and patterns. Choose a design that you like and that matches your baby's nursery decor.
In conclusion, choosing the perfect swaddle for your baby requires careful consideration of the type, material, safety, and design. By following these guidelines, you'll be able to select the best swaddle for your baby's needs, and it can also help them sleep longer and better. Swaddling can provide a sense of security and comfort that can mimic the feeling of being in the womb, which can help your baby sleep longer and more soundly.
Contact us to discuss your requirements of Custom Made Baby Clothes. Our experienced sales team can help you identify the options that best suit your needs.