Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle Blanket: Which Should You Be Using for Your Little One?
Now that just about everybody has access to the internet or knows someone who has had a child, it seems as if everyone has an opinion or advice on all of the details that come with parenting, right? With all of this knowledge floating out there, how are you supposed to know what is right for you and your child? The answer is easier than you might think. With some direction from your pediatrician and a little bit of good old-fashioned common sense, you’ll be able to figure out the best options for your kiddo. Being a parent is hard. Anyone that tells you different is lying. All children are different, and when you ask about which is a better approach, the swaddle or sleep sack for newborn, the opinions can be very intense. New parents just want the facts of the
pros and cons of using a sleep sack or a swaddle blanket.
Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle
Before you start debating which option is best for your child, you must understand the difference between your options. You will undoubtedly know what a blanket is, but you might have yourself questioning, what is a sleep sack for babies?
Swaddle Blanket
A swaddle blanket is typically a staple on almost every new mother’s registry. It is a thin blanket that is used to wrap up the baby, constraining the arms and legs, while it sleeps. (Go ahead and make your baby burrito jokes now.) It’s going to simulate the baby’s position that it rested in in the womb. It will keep your baby warm while keeping it comfortable while it sleeps. These often come in a variety of fabric choices from cotton to even bamboo.
Baby Sleep Sack
So, what is baby sleep sack? A sleep sack is going to look more like a piece of clothing than it is a blanket. The best way to describe it would be a wearable blanket that goes over the baby’s clothing that allows the arms and and hands to be free while the body, feet, and legs are contained in the sack. And, what are baby sleep sacks used for? Many pediatricians don’t suggest the using blankets on babies due to the risk and fears of Sudden Infant Death Syndrome (SIDS), for that reason sleep sacks were created to provide a safety option to keep your baby comfortable and warm as they sleep.
Sleep Sack or Swaddle Blanket - What’s best?
Are you still confused about what the difference is? The first noticeable difference will be that a swaddle is truly a blanket. It’s meant to wrap the baby up completely and restrict the baby from moving its arms and legs around while sleeping. A baby sleep sack is much more than a regular blanket. Think of it more as a wearable sleeping bag with either armholes or sleeves. There is typically a zipper down the front or the side to allow for easy access. So, you may be asking, are sleep sacks safe for babies who can roll over? The answer is yes. Swaddles are to be used for newborns and infants. That is because the restriction provided by the swaddle blanket could end up suffocating the baby if he or she rolls over onto their stomach. If you are wondering how long do babies use sleep sacks, you should know that the best baby sleep sack should be able to be used up until your little one is a toddler or older. They will allow your child to move about with their arms freely while still keeping the legs restricted.
Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle Sizing
Like most things baby, sizing will be determined by the size and weight of the child. When you are estimating the fitting for the swaddle or sleep sack for newborn, you will want to lean into the swaddle blankets, initially. These blankets should be big enough to swaddle or wrap the baby just snug enough to restrict the movement while sleeping. They are offered in a variety of sizes to match up with the child’s needs. For newborns, especially, you probably won’t need anything more than a cotton or bamboo receiving blanket. As the child grows, the required blanket size will increase as well. As your child continues to grow and gain strength in their limbs, you’ll see that they will easily be able to free themselves of the swaddle blanket. Once they get to this stage, your best option will be to transfer them to a sleep sack. Because they do resemble more of a clothing item than a blanket, you will see more sizing options based on size and weight. Some manufacturers will offer a one-size-fits all option, but you might find that this sizing isn’t the best for your baby.
Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle Fabrics
No matter what option you choose, you’ll want to make sure that the fabric is soft against the skin of your baby. You’ll want to use a lighter fabric, and make sure that your baby won’t get too hot or too cold. In the colder months, some parents ask, are weighted sleep sacks safe for babies? Most people will advise only for use over the age of two. Children of this age are typically able to roll or move themselves to avoid most of the dangers of suffocation. Many children’s clothing items come with fasteners such as Velcro, buttons, or zippers. If your swaddle or sleep sack come with these fasteners, make sure they aren’t presenting any type of scratching or choking hazard for the little one as they sleep. Free Birdees, a
baby clothing store online, offers swaddle blankets and sleep sacks that are uniquely soft and made from bamboo fabric. Bamboo fabrics are eco-friendly, hypoallergenic, and breathable for baby’s skin. Bamboo fabric is some of the softest found and is perfect to use for baby when sleeping.
Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle Blanket Use
Once you’ve attempted to change a diaper in the middle of the night with one eye open, you might question the value of using a swaddle blanket for bedtime. If you have a very mobile baby, you might select a swaddle that provides fasteners to make changing your little one a bit easier. Some of the best baby sleep sack offer a zipper closure. This allows you easy access to getting baby in and out while you are changing even if you are attempting it with only one eye open.
Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle Blanket Safety
Safety is always a concern when it comes to choosing items for your little ones. Whether you choose the swaddle blanket or the sleeping sack for your child, you always want to make sure that the child is able to breathe. Swaddling a baby may not be rocket science, but it is an art form when you consider how to wrap your baby to keep them comfortable and safe. Swaddling a baby correctly comes from restricting the arms to the sides with the folded blanket. If you are unsure of the best ways to swaddle your baby, consult your pediatrician or nurse practitioner. If your child is mobile, their arms should not be restricted in any way. Their arms should be able to move about freely to assist in any comfort adjustment that they might need. Due to the freshness of the sleep sacks, many parents question many of the benefits and features of using such a product. they may question things like “how to keep baby's hands warm in sleep sack?”, “is baby warm enough in sleep sack?”, “what should baby wear under sleep sack to stay safe?”, “are baby sleep sacks necessary?”, “are baby sleep sacks safe?”, and “when do babies stop sleeping in sleep sacks?”. They aren’t alone. Any question about your baby is not silly. You want the best for your baby, and you want them to be safe. When it comes to using the sleep sack for your baby and questioning if they are warm or what should a baby wear under a sleep sack, the answer is more simple than you make think. You want to dress your baby in layers that are appropriate to their surroundings. Some parents choose long sleeve onesies or dressing gowns to help keep them warm, but this will also depend on how warm your little one gets while sleeping. This is one benefit to using fabrics that are made from bamboo just like the ones from free Birdees. Not only are the the softest sleep sack for babies, but the bamboo fabric helps to regulate temperature. The safety of your child is paramount. That is why when you question “are sleep sacks safe?”, you will get the response that it will depend on your child’s age, activity level, size, and weight. Which whole reason why there is a debate over which option is best, to swaddle or sleep sack for newborn. While sleep sacks may not be necessary, they are certainly recommended to help keep your little one warm while they sleep.
Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle Blanket Styles
Whether you choose a Sleep Sack or Swaddle Blanket, you are going to find a wide selection of styles to choose from. They come in a variety of designs, colors, and prints to fit a theme or personality. Free Birdees offers a wide variety of prints and patterns in their bamboo fabrics. The best blankets are easy to find in the plushes fabrics, but if you are looking for the softest sleep sack for babies then you should check out their baby clothing store online.
Frequently Asked Questions About Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle Blanket
What is the best option for newborns?
Most pediatricians are going to suggest using a swaddle blanket for newborns. This will most accurately simulate the position that the baby is used to in the womb.
What does it mean to swaddle?
the swaddling technique is a way of wrapping the blanket around the baby to restrict their movements while they sleep. Here is a five-step description of how to warp your baby:
- 1. Place the blanket on a level surface, fold down the top corner 1/4 of the way, and position it into a diamond shape.
- 2. Lie your baby down on the blanket placing its back and shoulders just beneath the top fold. The unfolded corners should out each side and at the feet.
- 3. Angle your baby’s right arm gently, and place it on the chest. Take the corner on the right side of the blanket, pull across the baby to the left, and tuck it underneath. The left arm should still be free at this point.
- 4. Next, grab the bottom corner of the blanket, cover the feet, and tuck the corner into the top of the right corner fold.
- 5. Finally, you will do the same thing you did on the right side to the left. Angle your baby’s left arm gently, and place it on the chest. Take the corner on the left side of the blanket, pull across the baby to the right, and tuck in the corner. All done!
Double check and make sure that your baby is able to move slightly and the blanket isn’t too snug. You should be able to fit about three fingers between the blanket and your baby’s chest.
Are baby sleep sacks safe once your baby is able to roll over?
Yes, as long as your baby’s arms are unrestricted to move. Your baby should be able to reposition themselves if needed. You will want to make sure that there aren’t any stuffed animals, blankets, or other items in the bed that could pose as any hazards to your baby while they sleep.
How long should babies use these: sleep sack vs. swaddle blankets?
Swaddle blankets should only be used until your baby can start rolling over on their own. This age will differ from child to child, but it will typically be around the six month mark. Sleep sacks can be worn well into the toddler stage. As long as your child doesn’t get too warm when they sleep, you can use the sacks as long as your child enjoys it. The practice of using the softest sleep sack for babies like the ones made of bamboo are one of your best options when it comes to regulating temperature. Baby products made from bamboo can be easily found at a baby clothing store online if you aren’t able to find it locally.
Tummy sleeping: sleep sack vs. swaddle blankets?
Most pediatricians are going to recommend that baby is best placed on their back at bedtime. They should continue to sleep on their back until they are able to roll and reposition themselves on their own. At this point, it is still recommended for the parents to continue placing baby on their back and let the baby do the repositioning from there. The back position is used to minimize the risk of SIDS..
The Verdict:Sleep Sack vs. Swaddle Blanket
Most parents are going to agree that when it comes to a sleeping baby vs. a crying baby, anything that is safe and potentially beneficial are worth at least giving them shot. The goal is to allow to keep your baby both warm and cozy as they sleep for both swaddles and sleep sacks. The rule of thumb is generally going to be swaddling until the child can roll over on their own, and a sleep sack can be used passed this point into toddler stages. Using light and soft fabrics such as bamboo with help keep baby warm and comfy as they sleep. No better your choice, sleep sack or swaddle blanket, always remember that safety comes first when trying to establish a bedtime routine that works.Hopefully this will put your mind at ease about swaddling, and your questions are answered regarding are baby sleep sacks safe? Of course, you’ll want to carefully monitor your baby with these new products until both you and baby have gotten used to them. Check for cues of overheating, and make sure that you are using the right product for your baby’s stage of development. Hopefully this will put your mind at ease about swaddling, and your questions are answered regarding are baby sleep sacks safe. Happy sleeping!
