Finding the best wearable blanket does not have to be a tedious task of trial and error. Use this guide to help you find the perfect sleep sack for your child.
Babies often cry through the night because they're used to the warmth of the womb. Such is the reason why many moms engage in the practice of swaddling, which can be time consuming.
Wearable blankets eliminate the need to battle with traditional swaddle cloths all while providing the comfort that newborns need to get a restful night’s sleep.
Sleeping sacks also combat what is known as “startle reflex,” which occurs when the little one’s head drops backward.
Such sporadic movement causes the neck to extend, which convinces the body that the baby is falling. The little one's arms, in response to such perceived danger, involuntarily flail outwards in desperation, which can upset, and wake, the child.
One significant advantage of sleeping sacks is their ability to eliminate the need for loose blankets in the crib. Your baby can comfortably rest without you worrying about them smothering under the weight of other cloths.
Another advantage of wearable blankets is their breathability. Sudden infant death syndrome (SIDS) is sometimes brought about by rising temperatures caused by blankets. Many manufacturers of wearable sleeping sacks are aware of such findings and strive to make products that maintain a balance of body temperatures through the night.
One disadvantage of wearable blankets is their ability to cause hip dysplasia: an acute orthopedic issue in which the hip’s socket is too shallow.
Avoiding this problem is a matter of parents finding the right wearable blanket size for their newborns and trading up to the next size when the little one outgrows the first sleeping sack.
You should pay attention to the following when searching for the ideal wearable blanket:
Before we provide you with all the details, take a look at our table for a quick overview.
Sleep sack | Features we love | Rating | Buy it now |
---|---|---|---|
HALO SleepSack 100% ![]() | - TOG score of 0.5 | ||
Woolino Baby ![]() | - Made with Australian Merino wool | ||
Nested Bean ![]() | - Adjustable arm snaps | ||
aden + anais Classic ![]() | - Very breathable and safe | ||
Carters One Piece ![]() | - Very soft fleece material | ||
Baby Deedee Sleep ![]() | - High quality reverse zipper | ||
SwaddleDesigns ![]() | - 2-way zipper for easy |
Now, let's take a closer look and see if we can help you find the best wearable blanket.
And if you want recommendations on sleepsacks (and much more) from real moms, don't miss our article on pregnancy gifts, which offers insight and advice from 32 seasoned mamas.
It’s all about authenticity with this wearable blanket. The cotton material interlocks for durability and the sack unzips from the bottom for convenience.
There's no need to take the blanket off when changing a diaper.
This sack that lets the baby kick as much as he wants while remaining inside of the cloth.
SIDS is one of the central reasons why parents question the safety of swaddling. This blanket reduces the likelihood of such development with a sleeveless design that significantly decreases the risk of little ones overheating when sleeping.
The sack even has the “Back is Best” embroidery to remind parents to place newborns on their backs at nap time.
Another great thing about the brand Halo is that they have a wide variety of sleep sacks on offer, from 100% organic cotton to muslin to micro fleece. There's even a swaddle version available.
The “Back is Best” embroidery is by far our favorite feature. There's nothing like a gentle reminder that helps keep your baby safe.
The Mom’s Choice Award and Creative Child’s 2012 Top Choice of the Year Award may place this sack among the best.
This sleeping cloth is 100% natural with a GOTS-certified organic cotton outer. The material is naturally resistant to fire and safe for the washing machine.
This blanket has been the best-selling product in its class among buyers in the United States and Canada since 2010, and for a good reason.
It’s easy to dress your little one in this sack with versatile shoulder snaps and dual zipper. Diaper changes also come relatively easy, thanks to such handy features.
The Merino wool is our favorite feature. We want our babies warm, but we don’t want them suffering because of overbearing temperatures.
A blanket that grows with your kid? Yes, please. This sleeping sack has straps that are adjustable, so that your child has a smooth transition from swaddling to independent sleeping.
Mothers have reported their little ones resting for extended periods while wrapped in this classic sack.
The fabric is lightweight and has an embedded pad that gives babies the feel of your reassuring hand on their chest throughout the night. Non-toxic beads fill the pad, and the blanket’s material comes from 100% luxurious cotton.
This blanket surpassed others in its class by passing 12 mandatory safety tests with flying colors and succeeding seven other exams that were entirely voluntary.
The breathability of this toddler sleep sack is the greatest. Excessive sweat brought on by too much heat is no fun for the baby or parent.
The breathability of this sack places it in line to take the title of the "Best Baby Sleep Sack".
This 100% imported cotton cloth is more like a sleeping bag than swaddling sack. While the fabric is thick enough to keep kids warm during cold nights, it is not overbearing to the point of causing temperatures to increase while little ones are resting.
This sleeping sack zips from the bottom up, which makes for easy diaper changes when your baby needs it.
There’s also the comfort element brought about by fabric that gets softer with every wash.
Fabric that allows for cooling down is all the rave. We love the temperature balance that this sleeping sack offers.
Carters sets the bar when it comes to children’s apparel, and their wearable blankets are no exception.
This cloth may just be the best baby sleep sack with its flame resistant tendencies that are all-natural and 100% polyester material that is extremely comfortable.
Parents will enjoy the benefits of natural and safe products with this sleeping sack. Kids will probably fall in love with the blanket’s design, which is adorable in all forms.
The micro fleece material of this sack ensures that babies remain warm during winter months. What more can you ask for in a wearable blanket?
A full night’s sleep is every parent’s dream.
This wearable blanket may just bring that to pass with its 100% cotton exterior and quilted duvet material. An additional layer of warmth makes this cloth the ideal choice during winter months.
The breathable fabric brings comfort to baby during the night, which leads to better sleeping.
This wearable blanket comes with unique shoulder straps that make dressing your little one in the blanket that much easier.
The reverse zipper alone places the sack in a class of its own with regards to convenience.
A reverse zipper saves time and energy when dressing baby. No one wants to spend 20 minutes trying to put a wearable blanket on their kid.
Made in the USA, this wearable blanket takes on the design of traditional swaddling cloths.
Microfibers softly rub against baby’s skin, and the sack fits children up to 35 inches long.
This product goes well with other baby essentials and provides a two-way zipper that makes diaper changes a breeze.
This sleeping sack has a TOG rating of 2.2, which means that it works best in climates where the temperature is between 65 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Children under 18 months may benefit from this product the most.
Two-way zippers make life easier, which is why we love the feature on this product. Dressing baby is much easier because of the versatility offered by this sleeping sack.
Bedtime can be stressful - you need to calm and settle your baby, and make sure he or she is as comfortable as possible. Aside from sleep sacks, you might also want to make sure you have the right overnight diapers, mattress, and crib soother.
As for finding the right wearable blanket, that's a matter of compare and contrast.
While you want to keep those sleeping sacks with features that attribute to breathability and versatility, you want to cross those wearable blankets that make dressing baby difficult off your list.
This guide will help you make the right decision so that your child will be warm and happy.
Featured image: Abigail Batchelder
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