Sleep sacks are one of the very best sleep solutions for your growing baby. This is because they’re comfortable and stylish and using them is almost completely risk-free. Today I’ll be comparing the trusty sleep sack vs swaddle to help you pick the perfect sleep solution that will encourage those healthy zzz’s – for both you and your baby!
We all know how important sleep is for a growing baby. Not to mention tired parents! It’s completely normal to constantly be on the lookout for gear that will help your baby sleep better.
My Top Picks
- aden + anais Swaddle Blanket
- SwaddleMe Original Swaddle
- Love To Dream Swaddle
- Burt’s Bees Baby 100% cotton Swaddle Transition Sleeping Bag
- HALO Sleepsack
Sleep Sack vs Swaddle Compared
Are you torn between picking one of them as your baby’s ideal sleep solution? I’m here to help. Take a look at how the two options fare up against one another and make your decision from there.
Differences and Similarities
Both options can be considered as wearable baby blankets. As such both products can be viewed as safer alternatives to loose blankets and bedding.
Swaddling is suitable for newborn babies up until they’re able to roll over on their own. Most swaddle blankets are used from birth until about three or four months of age. Modern swaddles have snaps, Velcro straps or zippers to ensure the swaddle is secure and safe.
Sleep sacks are the step up from swaddling. They are typically used for babies aged 6 to 12 months and are considered to be exceptionally safe. More often than not sleep sacks are constructed with cotton or fleece and feature a number of zippers.
What’s the Best Way to Use Sleep Gear? And Are There Any Risks to Be Aware Of?
As is the case with most things, using sleep gear isn’t without its risks. The do’s and don’ts of swaddling are in place to make sure that proper sleep safety standards are adhered to. The main risks of swaddling are restricting the baby’s breathing by swaddling too tightly, suffocation from swaddling too loosely and hip dysplasia caused by swaddling too tightly around the leg area. The biggest risk associated with sleep sacks is irregular temperature control – although this is largely linked to the TOG rating of the sleep sack you pick and less so the design of a sleep sack itself.
aden + anais Swaddle Blanket
First up we have the aden + anais Swaddle Blanket. This pack of four muslin swaddle blankets is made from 100% cotton so even though it’s expensive it’s great value for money. Its soft feel and assortment of design options make this a fantastic gift for new parents.
Who it’s for
This product has no age limit and can be used on babies of all ages.
Why You Should Consider It
It can be used for many purposes including as a swaddle, pram cover, giant spit-up bib and more. It’s a wise investment because of its versatile nature.
Product Specifications
- Materials: 100% cotton
- For ages: no age range limitations
- Design options: 30 different design options
Pros
- Certified organic
- Versatile uses
- Abundance of design options available
Cons
- Don’t handle machine-washing well
- Quality is often called into question
- Expensive
SwaddleMe Original Swaddle
This 100% cotton product comes as a pack of three, making it excellent value for money. Its features include fabric wings, a Velcro strap and harness slits that make this compatible with most popular car seats and other sleeper products.
Who it’s for
The SwaddleMe Original Swaddle is great for babies aged 4 to 6 months.
Why You Should Consider It
Because it comes as a pack of three it’s incredible value for money and will be nothing short of a blessing for budget-restricted parents.
Product Specifications
- Materials: 100% cotton
- For ages: 4 to 6 months
- Design options: 5 different design bundle options
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Various design options
- Great value for money
- Integrated harness slip
Cons
- Feet threads unravel quite quickly
- Noise of the velcro strap can wake baby
Love To Dream Swaddle
The last swaddle I’ll be introducing you to is the Love to Dream Swaddle. In another article, I compared Love to Dream vs HALO Swaddle and the former came out as winner. Unlike other swaddles, this product is designed to encourage arm movement rather than restrict it which makes it a wonderful choice for busy babies.
Who it’s for
This product is for small babies weighing in at 8lbs to 13lbs, which is the weight range of the typical 1 to 3 month old.
Why You Should Consider It
If your baby is something of a wriggling worm, the unique UP design featured in this swaddle was designed with him or her in mind. The innovative design encourages self-soothing.
Product Specifications
- Materials: 93% cotton, 7% elastane
- For ages: 1 to 3 months
- Design options: 3 different design options
Pros
- Hip healthy
- Innovative design
- Different TOG ratings available
Cons
- There’s a chance the UP design will hinder and not help your baby’s sleep
Burt’s Bees Baby 100% cotton Swaddle Transition Sleeping Bag
This is the first sleep sack I’ll be introducing you to. This TOG 0.5 rated sleeping bag is safe, stylish and perfect for babies that have sensitive skin.
Who it’s for
Burt’s Bees Baby 100% cotton Swaddle Transition Sleeping Bag is perfect for babies aged 6 to 12 months or those that weigh between 16lbs and 24lbs or measure in at 26″ to 30″.
Why You Should Consider It
This product is 100% organic and so you can feel great knowing that your purchase is not only helping your baby’s sleep but the environment too.
Product Specifications
- Materials: 100% cotton
- For ages: 6 to 12 months
- Design options: 11 different design options
Pros
- Certified 100% organic
- Environmentally friendly
- Inverted zipper design
- Variety of design options
Cons
- Expensive
- Zipper prone to sticking
HALO Sleepsack
The last product on my list is the HALO Sleepsack. This TOG 1.0 rated transitional sleepsack is made from 100% polyester micro-fleece fabric and makes for the perfect option for bigger babies.
Who it’s for
This sleep sack has been designed with bigger babies in mind. Babies that weigh between 22lbs and 28lbs and are between 30″ to 35″ long (this is normally babies aged 12 to 18 months) will be very comfortable in this sleepsack.
Why You Should Consider It
This machine-washable sleeveless sleep sack has a generous design that allows for freedom of movement without compromising on cover. It also features an inverted zipper so you can change diapers easily.
Product Specifications
- Materials: Lead-free 100% polyester
- For ages: 12 to 18 months
- Design options: 20 different design options
Pros
- Inexpensive
- Hip healthy
- Variety of design options
- Inverted zipper design
Cons
- Babies with sensitive skin may find the fabric harsh
FAQ
What is a TOG rating?
A TOG rating refers to how warm a product is. The lower the TOG rating, the less heat is produced and the higher the TOG rating the more heat is produced. Use sleep solutions with a low TOG rating in hot climates and those with a higher rating in colder ones.
Conclusion
In my opinion, the winner between sleep sack vs swaddle is abundantly clear: sleep sack all the way! This is purely because the risks of using a sleep sack are significantly less than those associated with swaddling. Out of the two sleep sacks I introduced you to today I can wholeheartedly recommend the HALO Sleepsack as it’s budget-friendly, certified hip healthy and can be used for a 6 month period.
Last update on 2024-04-15 / Affiliate links / Images from Amazon Product Advertising API
