After emerging from the womb, your newborn is unfamiliar with their surroundings. Sounds and sudden movements can frighten them. Your little one might find it quite confusing. So, it is up to you to make your baby feel comfortable in their new surroundings. Along with all your other decisions, you must decide the type of sleepwear and when to use them.
For centuries, it has been a tradition to swaddle babies, which involves binding them to a "cradleboard." Fast forward to today, you find will swaddling blankets are fast becoming a way to dress babies after birth. However, sleeping sacks are quite common in countries around the world, including the US. So, parents are researching the pros and cons of sleep sack vs swaddle and are determining when to use sleeping sacks.
Whether it is a swaddle blanket or a sleep sack, you want your baby to feel snug, safe, and secure. The swaddle blanket or sleeping bag both have pros and cons. Both choices provide safe sleep and comfort for your baby. It is essential to understand when to use a sleep sack and swaddle blanket and which one is suitable for your bundle of joy. This article will define sleeping bag vs swaddle, outline their differences, discuss their benefits, look for when buying, and answer frequently asked questions.
Swaddle blanket vs sleep sack
Getting a baby a restful night's sleep is essential for their growth and wellbeing. Numerous studies and research have shown that babies grow faster while they are sleeping. For a safe and sound sleep, the baby should be comfortable; stay covered throughout the night. It is also important to have a suitable temperature irrespective of various seasons and times of the year. So, is it the sleeping bag vs swaddle?
What is Swaddle Blanket for baby?
There is no right answer to what type of swaddle or sleep sack for newborn. A parent's preference plays a role in determining what works best for their child, and many have found great success with swaddling infants. Swaddling newborns allows them to lay in one position for an extended amount of time, thus making it easier for them to sleep.
The swaddle blanket is a way to keep your baby feeling secure by wrapping him up tightly in a soft blanket. It is ideal for keeping your baby warm, cozy and allows them to feel like they are in the womb. A swaddle blanket provides deep pressure touch, and babies feel the same tight grip they had in their wombs. Using this method calms, comforts, and prevents involuntary movements.
What is sleep sack for baby?
Whether to swaddle or sleep sack for newborn depends on the parents. However, some experts recommend sleep sacks instead of swaddle blankets once your baby reaches toddler years. The sleep sacks can give your little one plenty of room to wiggle and move around. Sleep sack, also known as sleeping bags, are wearable blankets that keep your baby warm while they sleep. For toddlers who like to kick off blankets while sleeping, these are ideal. Sleep sacks are the baby equivalent of sleeping bags. Babies can swing their arms freely through armholes. By using a sleep sack, you can do away with loose blankets.
Benefits of Swaddling Blankets
Swaddling creates a feeling of safety for your newborn and reminds them of the womb. Imagining your newborn, who has been squished in the womb for nine months, now being able to flail around it must be quite frightening. One of the major benefits of swaddling is that it mimics the womb. It can soothe, calm, and help your baby sleep. Other benefits include:
- Prevent unnecessary wakings at night, specifically due to the “Moro” or startle REflex, which is an involuntary movement reflex that happens shortly after birth.
- Help babies who suffer from colic to get a good night sleep
- Mimic your touch and your body's close contact
Benefits of baby sleep sack
A sleep sack is a safer alternative to loose blankets and bedding. Without blankets to kick-off, babies can move about and maintain a comfortable temperature throughout the night. Also, they have enough leg space for the baby to kick. Other benefits include:
- Provide a feeling of security
- Prevent babies from getting overheated with too many blankets.
- Make midnight diaper changes easy and quick
- Give babies space to move
- Can help babies sleep longer
Sleep Sack vs Swaddles: The differences
It is important to know the differences between a sleep sack and a swaddle blanket and how and when to use them. You can find differences in the description, fabric, fit, function, benefits, and safety as outline below.
The first and most obvious difference is that a swaddling blanket encloses the baby, restricting their movements and mimicking the womb. In contrast, a sleep-sack is a wearable blanket that keeps your baby fully covered while sleeping. You could think of it as a pair of pajamas without legs. Other differences include:
Description
A swaddle blanket is a square fabric you use to fold your baby up into a snug swaddle, which simulates a womb-like fit. The oversized design is perfect for wrapping your baby up snugly with multiple folds.
Sleep Sacks are essentially a sleeping bag. From newborns to toddlers, sleep sacks are available in a variety of lengths. Many infant sleep sack models come with wings attached around the chest so your baby can feel swaddled.
Design
Swaddle blankets are available in a variety of sizes, making them suitable for babies of any size, and many parents use them even as their children grow.
Sleep Sacks bags come in various options such as thickness, warmth, size, materials, etc. It contains openings for the arms and neck, which allow for free airflow circulation. It has a zipper mechanism that allows a snug fit inside the sack. The sleep Sack has a wide bottom that provides enough space for your baby to move and kick their legs.
Material
Swaddle blankets are made of a material that is stretchy, breathable, and lightweight. The softness of muslin material makes it a popular fabric choice for swaddling.
Sleep Sacks come in a variety of fabrics, styles, and colors. Most are made from natural fibers such as wool, cotton, or fleece, with some having microfiber linings.
Fit
Some swaddle blankets come with ready-made cocoons with velcro or buttons to keep them in place. As with most sleeping bags, the sleep sack features a zipped top, as well as shoulder straps to prevent it from sliding down. Another unique feature is the large center zipper to make midnight diaper changes quick and handy. The zipper can be located on the side, bottom, or down the middle. Each way, you can open the sleeping bag and place your baby inside before zipping it up.
When to start using sleep sack or swaddle
Sleep sack instead of swaddle blankets are a safer option for babies once they reach their toddler age, according to experts.
Swaddle blankets are perfect for newborns and infants, but they should not be used once the baby learns to roll over. A sleep sack for newborn is more appropriate.
Comfort
The swaddle blankets provide a feeling of warmth and security. They help your little one get a long night sleep. In some cases, parents claim that these blankets enabled their baby to sleep for a full six hours without waking up during the night. With lightweight swaddle blankets that do not overheat, parents can also swaddle their babies easily.
The sleep sack acts as another layer of clothing over the actual baby clothes. This helps to keep the baby warm and comfortable at night and to sleep soundly and comfortably. It allows your baby to move freely throughout the night. In addition to helping to prevent frequent wakings, sleep sacks help to control a child's thrashing around as it grows and becomes more mobile.
Safety
Some of the first questions from parents are: Are swaddle sacks safe? Can newborns use sleep sacks? The answer is yes to both questions. Swaddling blankets can reduce the risk of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome by preventing babies from rolling over, as doctors believe babies should sleep on their backs. It is the perfect tool for calming fussy babies, reducing colic, preventing accidental scratches, and assisting with breastfeeding. For babies under a year of age, health experts recommend sleep sacks. Baby's loose bedding or blankets are potentially a choking hazard. Sleep sacks can reduce the risk of suffocating in babies.
Things to Look for When researching sleep sack vs swaddle blanke
Knowing what to look for is important when researching sleep sack vs swaddle blanket.
It can make your shopping easier and it helps learn more about each product.
Seasonal buys
When purchasing a baby blanket and sleep sack, look first and foremost at its material. Various materials are suitable for specific seasons based on their different properties. So, consider the season when you buy a sleep sack or swaddle blanket for your child.
Choose the Right Type
The next step is to select the right type of baby sleepwear for your little one. You have two great choices; the swaddle blanket or sleeping bag.
Choose a blanket that is the right size for your toddler, no matter the type.
Think of the Comfort: One of the most important factors to consider when purchasing a product for your little one is comfort. Whether you are purchasing a swaddle blanket or a sleeping bag for your baby, make sure it is not too harsh or too soft.
Consider the Safety
Make sure the sleepwear will not cause your baby any allergic reactions by ensuring that it is free of chemicals. Also, make sure the blanket is lightweight and breathable to avoid suffocation.
Cleaning It Should Be Easy
Last but certainly not least, buy machine-washable sleepwear for your little one.
Frequently Ask Questions
Are swaddle sacks safe for babies?
The answer is yes, but there is one caveat. Your baby's arms should be free to maneuver if necessary. In addition, there should not be any excess blankets or stuffed animals around that could suffocate your baby.
Can baby sleep in swaddle sack
It is common for babies to love being swaddled, and you can maintain the practice through the toddler years, but do not let them sleep in them or leave them unattended.
Can newborns use sleep sacks?
Yes. Sleeping in a sleep sack that allows their arms and hips to move once they start to roll over is generally safe for infants. It ensures they're able to move on their own and can push themselves back up when they roll over on their own.
When to start using a sleep sack?
Swaddling has many benefits for your baby, and your baby will get used to the closeness it provides, so you should stop gradually. Start with just two arms out for a few days before removing the other arm. When transitioning out of the swaddle, it is fine to swaddle a newborn with arms out. This way, your baby can still feel the snug grip of the swaddle but will have free arms to be able to roll back or even lift her head once on the ground. So, when to start using sleep sack? Fortunately, sleep sacks will make the transition easy for your baby because it is worn like blankets, where baby's arms are free to move and safe for rollover babies. After leaving both arms out after a few days, you can begin to put the baby to sleep in a sleep sack.
How to transition from swaddle to sleep sack
Swaddling, when done correctly, is safe and can help calm your baby and promote longer periods of sleep, according to experts. But it is vital to know when to transition to a sleep sack instead of swaddle blanket.
Once your baby can roll over, stop swaddling them. Usually, this milestone occurs around four months old for most babies, but it may vary. Swaddling is dangerous for rolling babies when they cannot move their arms, so if they roll over with their arms swaddled, they may fall asleep in an unsafe position.
How to dress baby for sleep?
Follow the below suggestions for dressing your baby on warm or cool nights, along with additional tips on snug fits, hats, and snaps.
Keep it light and breezy on warm nights
A basic short-sleeve cotton T shirt with cotton sleep bag overtop is fine. It is also fine to wear a bodysuit or tee alone if it is unseasonably hot.
Prepare for winter
Equip your little one with the right gear to withstand chilly winter nights. A pair of soft fleece pajamas or a heavy micro-fleece swaddle or sleep bag over standard cotton sleepwear should do the trick. Make sure there are no loose blankets.
Stay with a snug fit
Consider cotton or natural-fiber sleepwear that is labeled as “snug-fitting.” With snug-fitting sleepwear, you do not have to worry about loose clothing covering your baby's face. The sleepwear should also fit tight against the body to reduce flammability. Some companies offer flame-resistant sleepwear, which is made of materials that have been chemically treated, so that the sleepwear is less prone to catching fire. However, some medical experts believe these chemicals may have harmful effects.
But what about a hat?
It is best to avoid loose objects such as hats, which could fall off your baby's head and cover their nose, preventing them from breathing freely. Additionally, a baby's head releases heat quickly, meaning a hat could actually cause overheating.
The function over the fashion
Another consideration: convenience. The first few months of babyhood will probably require you to change the baby's diaper several times throughout the night. At 3 a.m., nobody wants to struggle with complicated buttons, so strategically placed snaps and zippers make nappy changes easier.
How To Get Your Baby To Sleep Through The Night?
Sleeping through the night can be a challenge for parents, but your baby needs to learn how and when to sleep before they can sleep through the night. Whether your baby is experiencing sleep regressions, growth spurts, illnesses, trouble falling asleep, or has just passed their milestone to sleep through the night, the following tips can help you and your baby get a good night sleep.
- Create a bedtime routine: Set one up as early as possible. Bedtime routines should be simple and easy to follow, so you can do them each night.
- Wean your baby off night feeding: Feed them less and not as frequently over a few days or a week to get them accustomed to not having to eat every time they wake.
- Keep a consistent bedtime: To keep your baby on track and to get them to sleep at the right time, it is important to establish a regular bedtime. After three months, you can begin setting a sleep schedule to accompany your bedtime.
- Be patient: If your baby is no longer sleeping through the night on his or her own, you can blame sleep regression or growth spurt. In general, your baby should return to normal in a few days after a growth spurt and within 1-4 weeks after sleep regression. During times like this, take comfort in the fact that it will pass.
Conclusion
Anything that helps a child sleep peacefully is worth trying for most parents. This article has highlighted guidelines for the safe and effective use of both sleep sacks and swaddles to keep babies safe, warm, and cozy. The safest option for young infants is swaddling, and sleep sacks can be used as alternatives to blankets from birth through the toddler years.
Swaddle blanket vs sleep sack: Whichever way you choose to sleep, train your baby, remember safety comes first above all else. You should keep an eye out for signs of overheating and use sleep sack and swaddles that are the right size for the baby's age and development stage.
