Product Spotlight: Blankets and Swaddles

rivercitynik · April 2020

This is a place for FTMs to ask questions about, S+TMs to share their prior experience with, and everyone to share what they're eyeing in the world of maternity, baby and postpartum products. Each week we'll spotlight a new category of product to help streamline and make it easier to refer back. This week we are discussing blankets and swaddles!

To view past Product Spotlights or the upcoming schedule, see here: https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1DzmfbSu7toufv3p1VWNu1XOXDaU-tbI5FEfV8av46pc/edit?usp=sharing

emiliadkay · April 2020

Blankets: I live in a warm climate and this is my second summer baby, so we have yet to buy any. People did gift us tons, but they've mostly sat piled unused in the closet.

Swaddles (a/k/a my personal money pit): We had a 4-pack of the Aden+Anais muslin swaddles that you see everywhere, and I liked that they were thin, stretchy and a pretty good size. https://www.adenandanais.com/swaddles Four was plenty. I also really love the prints on Pehr swaddles and might splurge on one for hospital photos this go-round. https://shoppehr.com/collections/swaddles

We gave up on a true blanket swaddle and switched to SwaddleMe swaddles and pods just a couple weeks in. I liked the pods best; they just seemed the tiniest bit easier. https://www.target.com/s?searchTerm=swaddleme

As baby got a little older and still wasn't sleeping great, we started trying all kinds of swaddles out of desperation. The concept of the nested bean swaddles is really cool, but they weren't the magic touch for us. Same for the halo swaddles. What we ultimately fell head over heels for was the Love to Dream. He slept soooo much better with hands up by his face, and I love that they provide TOG (weight/warmth) ratings and have several different options, including one that's super light-weight. https://lovetodream.com/stage-1-swaddling/

It's not really a swaddle, but when we had to transition away from swaddles we used the baby merlin magic sleepsuit and it was another lifesaver. https://www.magicsleepsuit.com/collections/frontpage

charhar0820 · April 2020

I have heard nothing but great things about them so i purchased a 4 pack of Aden+Anais along with one of their stroller blankets!

I’ve been looking at sleep sacks and sleep gowns. There is such a wide range of variety, it’s a tad overwhelming. I know each baby is different so I’m sure I’ll purchase a few different types to see what my baby prefers.

My question is, sizing. Do I go for the newborn and 0-3month? I feel like my baby is probably going to be long.

Also, are sleep sacks ok to use on a newborn? I know you're suppose to layer but i read newborns can’t wear onesies or anything that will irritate their umbilical cord until it falls off? Just curious as to how that will work lol

BabiesRus has their halo sleep sacks on sale at the moment!

RedBaramid · April 2020

@charhar0820 We used a Swaddle Me on DDwithin the first 2 weeks. Her cord fell off super fast so I don't remember thinking about it much but I know that within that first 2 weeks we were quickly discovering a key to us getting any kind of nap or good sleep while she slept was a strong swaddle. I have very vivid memories of my husband standing over her swaddling her and saying "I know baby girl, but babies who are tired and fussy don't get arm privileges." I wouldn't waste my time buying a sleep sack or a swaddle that was smaller than 0-6 months though. They just grow so fast...

[Deleted User] · April 2020

@charhar0820 for nb, I would start with the traditional swaddle blanket, and see how that goes. You can try having a NB pod or Velcro swaddle on hand, but don't go crazy with those. It's such trial and error, and babies change so quickly at that stage, but depending on your baby, the nb and 0-3 phase may be challenging to get them cozy and settled. You will try everything, all yours S-s (from happiest baby on the block, I believe) and that's kind of all you can do. But it starts with a good swaddle, and then you, your shushing, and rocking etc. You can also get one of those little orange shushers lol our nb photographer even had one! But the swaddle should be snug, so if you are in that stage and going to try a "fancy" swaddle solution, start small and wait to see what works before buying the next size up.

Sleep sacks are better imho once they are at least at the 3-6m range and you're not going to swaddle past when they can roll over anyway. And you don't want those overly big when they are tiny bc they can ride up. If you do a NB sleep sack, it's got to have the Velcro etc to snug it up around them, and even then, sometimes you can be left feeling nervous it may ride up around their airways. :/ So we were gifted a NB fleece one like I described, and I mean 🤷 unless you keep your AC very cold something like that is probably overkill for an August baby. Maybe the fleecier things you could try in 0-3 or 3-6 depending on how quickly your climate changes, and how long is baby etc., But I really do feel like you kind of won't know until you try.

[Deleted User] · April 2020

We have a lot of swaddles, and I really liked the Little Unicorn ones. I invested in one of their larger size summer sleep sacks for her around 9-12m range, and omg was it lovely!

roo_baby · April 2020

The hospital gave us at least a dozen free blankets, and we mostly used them in the early days. They are thicker than the Muslin ones and a little easier to get snug on a tiny baby.

+1 on the swaddleme Velcro swaddles. Start with the small size and see if you like them.

Halo sleep sacks are great starting around 6 mo. I prefer the cotton ones, but they also have a fleece option. People like the zipadee ones too but we never tried those.

Aden + Anais silky soft line is really nice as a thin, soft blanket but it’s a bit tricky to swaddle a tiny baby with them. When DD became old enough to sleep with a loose blanket these became her favorite.

if you do the amazon welcome box, there should be a free swaddle included. We used that one all the time, too. It’s a bit thicker than the silky soft ones.

Aside from all of the free hospital ones, I don’t think we needed very many blankets. Maybe 4 + sacks.

coldlife2 · April 2020

I didn't buy a single blanket! I know showers and such are really up in the air right now, but blankets are one of those things that people just give as gifts. You may get a lot! H and I had a couple heavier blankets apiece (and I had one receiving blanket) that were ours from our childhood. We were gifted two different warm fuzzy fleece blankets, a medium-weight flannel blanket, a crib-size quilt, and a four-pack of Carter's receiving blankets. We were sent home from the birth center with a nice large receiving blanket as well (and so we will have three of those after having this baby because we receive one with each child). We have more blankets than we can ever use!

My children don't seem to care much for swaddles. We were gifted a set of SwaddleMe swaddles. I liked them fine. For what they are, they seemed like they worked how they're supposed to. It was really easy to get them tightly bundled up. We just only used them a couple times per child.

Personally, my children really like stomach sleeping. They sleep way better on their stomachs. That also makes it so they can't jerk around and startle awake and move their arms and legs well. I know this isn't the current recommendations, and of course, we don't do it immediately, but as soon as they have good head control, we sleep them on their stomachs.

hypermusic · April 2020

We bought one 4-pack of Aden & Anais muslin swaddles for DD and that was plenty. She was a February baby so we used these over footie PJs, but they are nice and breathable so they would work for a summer baby also. She never was a huge fan of having her arms wrapped so we didn't swaddle her much longer than the first month or so. They're big enough that we continued to use them for a long time for other things (draping over the stroller on sunny days, an extra layer in the carseat, etc).

Technically babies don't NEED a wearable blanket/sleep sack after that, but it's basically cold 9 months of the year here so it was helpful to have the extra layer so we didn't need to keep the thermostat up. I purchased what was available locally, and have had a few different sizes of cotton Halo sleep sacks, a single-layer fleece one, and an insulated Kyte one (2.5 TOG) for her first full winter. She didn't start wearing sleep sacks until she was a least 6 months old and we always sized up a little because she is long.

The type of swaddle/wrap and material will depend a lot on your climate and what temperature you like to keep your house at. Here is a good guide I found about TOG rating and clothing recommendations:

This is probably pretty random, but DD was terrified of the sound of velcro when she was a newborn so I'm glad we didn't get many velcro diaper covers or swaddles.

@charhar0820 It's my understanding that wearable blankets without sleeves (like the Halo SleepSack) are too loose for a newborn to sleep in safely, but sleep gowns with sleeves are OK. Our pediatrician told us that anything soft and breathable that wont put pressure on or chafe the cord stump is OK, like a wrap shirt, onesie or PJs (as long as there are no zippers/snaps in the area). FWIW this time I am planning on putting baby to sleep in just a diaper and swaddle at first since the weather will be warmer.

(edited to remove broken link)

cornichonmam · April 2020

We were bought lots of blankets, some I’ve never used. I've loved the large muslin swaddle blankets I got, and they are probably one of our most used items. They just have so many uses. They are a a swaddle, a light blanket, a clean-up cloth etc. I put them under my son when feeding him in a side lying position to stop him dribbling on the bed and I still use them now when he has his cup of milk before bed to catch and drips and save me washing the sheets.

We also have several cellular blankets for DSs bed, they are very popular and recommended in the UK because you can breathe through them even if they are several layers thick.

sarah0985 · April 2020

Some of this is to echo; I didn’t use receiving blankets nearly as much as I imagined I would but did a little. I agree I loved the large Muslin blankets.

I used blankets for a swaddle at first. Any Velcro swaddles were too big for my daughter.

Around 2 months or so my daughter busted out of it and it got over her face. Thank goodness I was awake and heard her moving around in an odd way.

I then discovered pods. We will be using those again.

We found a pod that looked like this

But it had snappable arm holes. So you could keep it closed, or open one at a time or both to transition out.

I can’t remember the brand but it had sizes that fit her for close to a year albeit she was tiny. When I dig them out I’ll post the brand.

[Deleted User] · April 2020

@cornichonmam thank you!!!! I never knew that's what those were called, but I wanted those cellular blankies for DD and no one got them for us. :/ I only saw them at pottery Barn, but now that I know what they are called I will have more options ;)

@sarah0985 oh how scary! I didn't have pods with DD but I wish I did. We used the Velcro ones when we were desperate, but I still didn't find them to be that user-friendly.

roo_baby · April 2020

Someone gave us the exact kind @sarah0985 shared a pic of and they lasted maybe a week, they were so tiny. And I was terrified of catching my baby’s arm in the zipper. The version described sounds much better, but I would avoid the specific ones pictured.

sarah0985 · April 2020

Woombie Convertible Baby Swaddling Blanket I Swaddle Converts to Arms-Free Wearable Blanket for Babies Up to 6 Months, Stardust Elephant Grey, 14-19 lbs https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LYHVG47/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_tmfNEb1HH7KSQ

Here’s what I’m pretty sure I used. Like @roo_baby said pods in stores for whatever reason are usually very small. This brand went much larger. Since the arms Could come out, once baby started to roll they still got the snugness around their body and warmth if they needed it.

@businesswife it was! We never swaddled her hips (her measurements for hip dysplasia were right at the cutoff) and she got her arms out at the bottom and it flipped up over her face. She was moving around frantically. I was just glad she was sleeping in the same rom
as me and it was morning. I went out that same day and found a safe alternative.

cornichonmam · April 2020

@BusinessWife You're welcome

. It's funny how countries do things differently. Here the NHS doesn’t recommend swaddling (we still did) and does recommend cellular blankets, so everywhere that sells baby stuff has them.

kimberlyevan · April 2020

Personally I’ve never liked the swaddles. But i do like swaddling my kiddos. We used the waffle knit blankets because they stretch enough that you can get a good tight swaddle (better than the hospital blankets) and they were light enough for warm weather babies (my kids were May June September and now August)

rivercitynik · April 2020

Everyone's advice has been so helpful...I feel a little overwhelmed by all the options out there so it's been great to hear people's firsthand experience. Has anyone tried the Ollie swaddle? I have one friend who swears by it but it's definitely a splurge.

tyrion_ · April 2020

I’ve accumulated approximately 983 blankets and swaddles over the course of having my two babes. I’m obsessed, though. I have a variety of swaddle brands and types which is helpful because who knows what the baby will like. My son hated all swaddles. My daughter did well with the halo swaddle.

I also bought this last night because I’m a nerd that likes blankets.

Image: https://us.v-cdn.net/5020794/uploads/editor/ay/2trldjph3n6e.jpeg

[Deleted User] · April 2020

I haven't @rivercitynik but I was tempted last time! I would say if you get all standard swaddles and that's your one "specialty" one, there's no harm. :) I just wouldn't get more than one at first or go overboard until you know baby likes it. But the flip side is, you might not even need it.

@tyrion_ that is super cute! I was thinking I need a new photo blanket for this one, but being team green, I'm not sure what way to go. DDs was floral, so I might want to have something in the wings to buy when we know? These extended ship times are killing me tho :/

charhar0820 · April 2020

@tyrion_ That blanket is SO cute!! I’ve always been addicted to comfy blankets, throws, bedding, towels, even bath mats lol i have a feeling I’ll be going way overboard with all the cute baby blankets and so on. I’ve been caught up in the world of baby playmats lately 😬 SO.CUTE. 😩

kimberlyevan · April 2020

@tyrion_ Oh my gosh! That’s adorable! Where did you find it!?

ziggymama06 · April 2020

@tyrion_ That is so adorable!! I love it! I actually sing that to baby before bed

tyrion_ · April 2020

@kimberlyevan
https://sweetelliesue.com/collections/all/products/little-star

I don’t know anything about the quality but had to have it. I almost tagged you because I came here after reading the name post!

psychobutthead · April 2020

Had anyone bought the target cloud island brand of muslin swaddle blankets?

They have cute prints but I'm not sure if they would be worth buying.

tara4910 · April 2020

@psychobutthead I bought some last month. I fell in love with one of their floral prints and it only came in a 3 pack with some other prints, so I bought it. In retrospect it was a ridiculous impulse buy because I already have way too many swaddles. They seem really soft! I haven’t washed them yet though.

CameronGarret · August 2020

Swaddles are a god send! I love my pack. I also managed to get some free too from https://www.freebierush.com/free-baby-stuff/

Want a personalized experience?

Product Spotlight: Blankets and Swaddles

Re: Product Spotlight: Blankets and Swaddles

Choose Another Board

Search Boards