6 easy-to-use swaddles that babies and parents love

There’s a good reason these top-rated swaddles have been a parenting staple for over 16 years. Basically, the muslin swaddle blankets from Aden + Anais are the Swiss army knife of parenting. They’re lightweight and versatile and come in handy far beyond simply swaddling your baby. They make perfect burp cloths and nursing covers, play time blankets or even to block the sun from the stroller on afternoon adventures.

When it comes to swaddling, they do require a bit of practice to get the technique down as there’s no velcro or clips to help keep it in place. On the bright side, that does allow you to create a wrap that best suits your little one’s needs. The softness gets better with every wash and there are a ton of gorgeous prints to choose from!

Similarly, the silky soft and simple swaddles from Solly Baby come a learning curve, but once you’ve mastered it, it’s smooth sailing. (The brand even has some fabulous videos to help your technique.) At 52″ x 52″, they’re some of the largest on the market and made from a buttery-soft Tencel Modal fabric which has just the right amount of stretch and breathability. And we’d be remiss not to mention the absolutely gorgeous colors and delicate patterns which mean they easily live a long and happy life as scarves and wraps once your baby outgrows the swaddle stage! 😍

Sometimes, it’s important to have options. The super breathable cotton swaddle from Halo–the brand synonymous with sleep sacks–allows you to easily swaddle baby in several of their favorite positions: Arms in, hands-to-face, or with one or both arms out. The front flaps provide plenty of space to customize the fit up top while the loose sack design allows free movement of the legs and hips. And because those early days can mean a bazillion diaper changes around the clock, an inverted zipper makes middle of the night clean ups as easy as possible.

From Dr. Harvey Karp, sleep expert and Snoo creator, the Sleepea swaddles can make a 5-second swaddle expert out of anyone. (Yes, even completely exhausted, new parent zombies.) The foolproof design features a super simple internal band that secures baby’s arms and a snug, stretchy outer layer that even the most wiggle-worm babies can’t escape. It’s made from 100% organic cotton with breathable mesh panels at the shoulder and across the legs to keep baby from overheating and a two-way zipper for easy-access diaper changes. Ready to let their arms free? No problem. Simply unsnap the arm openings to use it as sleep sack!

Been blessed with a “raise the roof” style sleeper who’s not a fan of traditional swaddling? Opt for a swaddle that allows the movement they crave. The Love to Dream Swaddle UP allows babies to reach their hands to their face and practice self-soothing while still providing the right amount of restriction to keep from startling themselves awake. The generous bottom half allows their legs to splay and kick while a two-way zipper makes diaper changes easy.

The Ollie World is an easy-to-use baby swaddle that some parents call a complete and total lifesaver. Launched by founder and tirelessly dedicated foster mom Hindi Zeidman in 2009, the swaddle was borne of her own need to find something that would work for Oliver, the little one in her care. Since then, it’s developed a total cult following for a multitude of reasons. For one thing, the fit is totally customizable. Velcro tabs at the top adjust to their preferred snugness, while the bottom half is secured with an elastic tie loop–a feature that not only makes diaper changes a breeze, but allows the swaddle to fit as long as possible. It’s also made from a highly breathable, moisture-wicking fabric that keeps little ones comfy no matter the temps and can be used with one or both arms out as they transition to sleeping unswaddled.