Not every sleep product is made the same….I had no idea about this when I had my first baby.
Swaddle, sleep sack…so many brands, sizes, styles to choose from. It makes your brain hurt.
Like does it really matter??
IT DOES. Yes, I generally follow the “You do you” philosophy. Except in this case, I have some serious preferences and recommendations.
Here are three main guidelines I follow when recommending a sleep sack or swaddle:
SAFETY - This is probably the biggest determining factor when choosing a sleep product.
I often recommend swaddling a newborn, for longer better sleep.
I love swaddles, BUT you have to know how to swaddle correctly -never leave baby if they can break out of a swaddle as it’s a risk for suffocation.
If you’re unsure of your swaddling skills, then there are some amazing swaddles on the market that take the guess work out of the whole swaddling fiasco. They zip up or velcro.
A snug arms in swaddle is ideal for up to 4 months. Parents often say “ my baby hates the swaddle”, which can certainly be the case; but often it’s not that they hate the swaddle it’s that they are either not swaddled tight enough, a study done on newborn babies actually shows that babies cry more when loosely wrapped. Or by the time you get them in a swaddle they are fussy, overtired and need calming whether in a swaddle or not. Once they are calm, they love the swaddle and it provides longer stretches of sleep. Give it another try!
The key to a good swaddle is to keep arms nice and snug while keeping the fabric loose around the knees and hips so they can open and easily bend their legs. Many zip up or velcro swaddles are already designed for this.
After 4 months or when your baby shows signs of rolling over (even as early as 8 weeks), it’s important to wean off the swaddle. This is a huge safety concern because you don’t want your babies arms to be held in when they are rolling to their tummy. They need their hands to pull their head up and it’s not safe to leave them on their tummy in a swaddle in any circumstance.
As you can tell I’m very passionate about this as it increases the risk of SIDS exponentially.
If you love to swaddle, you can also swaddle with one arm out at first and gradually transition to both arms out. There are sleep sacks like the love to dream that are arms up or the halo sleep sack that allows for an easy one arm out swaddle.
AGE
Then what should I use after 4 months?
If your baby still has the startle reflex or finds their arms and legs distracting or unsettling (hitting themselves in the face is a sign), a transition sleep sack may be a better choice.
These products still provide the enclosed feel of a swaddle but allows them to keep their arms extended. My favourite transition sleep sack is the Zipadee zip. This is safe for babies who are rolling over, as it allows for their arms to be free so they can pull their head up.
There is also the Merlin’s magic sleepsuit. which is great for up to 6 months, it’s very heavy but will muffle the startle reflex and keep baby on their back (if your baby rolls over in the Merlin Magic Sleep Suit, then it’s time to transition out asap, that’s also not safe). I always use this product with just a short sleeve onesie under as it can cause baby to overheat. It’s also a little pricey and has a short shelf life, so keep that in mind.
After 6 months you want to fully transition to a sleep sack. This can be done anytime after 4 months if you decide that you don’t want to try a transition sack (which is totally fine).
COMFORT
When choosing a sleep sack, comfort is always important. There are some great products that will provide warmth and are suited to different temperatures. For example, grobag makes sleep sacks that are very light for warm summer days. There are also great products like Woolino that provide some heat but don’t overheat.
A sleep sack will be a baby, toddler, pre-schooler’s blanket so choose one that you are comfortable with.
Yes, I said pre-schooler! I encourage my clients to use a sleep sack for as long as possible. They sell large sleep sacks for all ages (woolino, Kyte Baby has toddler sizes). It not only prevents them from kicking off any blankets (babies under 2 years old should not have loose blankets anyway) but it helps prevent toddlers from crawling out of their crib as it limits their mobility.
Below are my favourite swaddles, sleep sacks by age:
Newborn (0-4 months)
Ergo pouch, love to dream, swaddle me, summer infant, woombie
For traditional swaddling: Aden&Anais
Transition (4-6 months)
Zipadee-Zip, Merlins Magic Sleepsuit
Sleep Sacks (4 months to 4 years old)
Aden&Anais, Gro Bag, Woolino, Kyte Baby, Nested Bean, Gunapod
My Ultimate favourite swaddle/sleep sack: HALO Sleep Sack
I love it because: It transitions from a swaddle to sleep sack (all in one), you can easily do a one arm out transition, affordable, easy zipper at the bottom for diaper changes, light cotton so as not to overheat.
I am not affiliated or endorsing any of these products.
So if you’re looking for some clarity, as long as it’s keeping with my three guidelines: Safety, Age and Comfort. Go wild in finding the right product for YOUR baby! Email me at info@lilbabysleep.com and tell me about the swaddles/sleep sacks you love!
If you’re looking for more support beyond products and are ready to commit to getting a great night’s sleep, feeling energetic the next morning and feeling confident about how you approach sleep, then book a free 30 minute call with me at anytime! I want to hear what is going on with you and how I can best help.
*Please note all of these recommendations are based on my personal experience, do not use anything that is unsafe or you are not sure of. Please always follow safe sleep guidelines and place your baby on their back to sleep, with NO blankets, loose bedding, comforters, bumpers or stuffed toys.
