There's no right or wrong way to swaddle.
There's simply just ways that are easier and more effective.
Not all swaddling techniques, and not all swaddles, are created equal! From muslin wraps to velcro straight jackets, you’re probably wondering how the heck do I pick the swaddle I need.
When choosing a swaddle, the four factors new parents need to be aware of are
Safety, Firmness, Warmth and Suitability.
Let’s compare.
|
ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag |
Traditional Wraps |
Other popular swaddle brands |
|
|---|---|---|---|
|
FIRMNESS: Controls startle reflex |
✅ Stretchy yet firm fit fabric Calm startle reflex effectively |
✅ A swaddle wrap can effectively calm a startle reflex | ✅ Most other popular brands will also calm the startle reflex |
|
SUITABILITY: Easy to use |
✅ 2-way zips for simple dressing & nappy change Transitions to arms-out sack Effectively swaddled, babies can't escape |
❌ Manual wrapping can be tricky for first-time parents Comes loose, easy to escape from |
✅ Zip-up and velcro swaddles are simple to use ❌ Be cautious of Velcro for its noise |
|
SUITABILITY: Supports different sleep preferences |
✅ 3 Ways to Sleep: - Arms in swaddled - Arms out, or - Ams up with the Butterfly Cardi |
✅ There are different ways to swaddle baby in a wrap, but achieving the different styles can be difficult | ❌ Most other swaddles advocate for one way of sleeping only and don't support baby's sleep style preference |
|
WARMTH: TOG-rated for warmth |
✅ Available in four TOG ratings Sleep baby safely and warmly year-round No need for loose blankets |
❌ Wraps are not TOG rated Unsafe, loose blankets are needed to keep them warm enough for sleep Potential hazard |
❌ Some brands provide a TOG-rated option Beware of polyester fibres that can lead to overheating |
|
WARMTH: Organic, sustainable and natural fibres |
✅ Organic Cotton, Bamboo and Elastane Breathable, safe on skin, non-toxic Temperature regulating, kinder on the environment |
❌ Blanket wraps easily and can come loose, providing potential hazard |
❌ Can be made from either polyester, which can cause overheating Manufactured with a lot of chemicals Regular cotton or bamboo doesn't hold its shape as well over time Less sustainable to manufacture |
|
SAFETY: Supports developmental growth and movement |
✅ Use from swaddling, to rolling, to arms out sleeping Allows for free movement Supports healthy hip joint development |
❌ Wrapping with a blanket is only suitable in the early newborn days Wrapping too tightly around the hips can contribute to hip dysplasia |
❌ Many restrict babies to one position during sleep Can lead to joint problems Some brands have designs that support growth |
|
SAFETY: Safety tested and approved |
✅ Tested and compliant to standards EN 16781, CPC CHILDREN’S PRODUCT CERTIFICATE and 16 CFR Part 1610 and AS/NZS 1249:2014 | ❌ Blanket wraps easily and can come loose, providing potential hazard | ❌ Not all swaddle brands are tested and approved as safe for sleep and babies' development |
|
SAFETY: Free Dressing Guide provided |
✅ FREE room thermometer and TOG dressing guide included Developed over 16 years Rest assured, your baby will always be warm, safe and comfortable for sleep! |
❌ Wraps do not come with a temperature or dressing guide | ❌ Some brands provide a TOG dressing guide, but not all. Check the packaging if unsure |
|
ergoPouch Cocoon Swaddle Bag |
Traditional Wraps and other swaddle brands | |
|---|---|---|
|
FIRMNESS: Controls startle reflex |
✅ Stretchy yet firm fit fabric Calm startle reflex effectively |
✅ A swaddle wrap can effectively calm a startle reflex |
|
SUITABILITY: Easy to use |
✅ 2-way zips for simple dressing & nappy change Transitions to arms-out sack Effectively swaddles, baby can't escape |
❌ Manual wrapping can be tricky for first time parents. Comes loose, easy to escape from. Velcro wraps are noisy. |
|
SUITABILITY: Supports different sleep preferences |
✅ 3 Ways to Sleep: - Arms in swaddled - Arms out, or - Ams up with the Butterfly Cardi |
❌ Most other swaddles advocate for one way of swaddling only and don't support baby's sleep style preference |
|
WARMTH: TOG-rated for warmth |
✅ Available in four TOG ratings Sleep baby safely and warmly year-round No need for loose blankets |
❌ Blanket wraps are not TOG rated, and many other swaddle sacks use polyester, which can lead to overheating. |
|
WARMTH: Organic, sustainable and natural fibres |
✅ Organic Cotton, Bamboo and Elastane Breathable, safe on skin, non-toxic Temperature regulating, kinder on the environment |
❌ Often made from polyester and manufactured with a lot of chemicals, or regular cotton or bamboo which doesn't hold its shape as well over time. |
|
SAFETY: Supports developmental growth and movement |
✅ Use from swaddling, to rolling, to arms out sleeping Allows for free movement Supports healthy hip joint development |
❌ Wrapping with a blanket is only suitable in early newborn days, and wrapping too tightly around hips can contribute to hip dysplasia. Many swaddles restrict baby to one position during sleep |
|
SAFETY: Safety tested and approved |
✅ Tested and compliant to standards EN 16781, CPC CHILDREN’S PRODUCT CERTIFICATE and 16 CFR Part 1610 and AS/NZS 1249:2014 | ❌ Blanket wraps easily come loose and can provide a hazard. Not all swaddle brands are tested and approved as safe for sleep and babies development |
|
SAFETY: Free Dressing Guide provided |
✅ FREE room thermometer and TOG dressing guide included Developed over 16 years Be rest assured your baby will always be warm and comfortable for sleep! |
❌ Wraps do not come with a temperature or dressing guide. Some swaddle brands provide a TOG dressing guide, but not all. Check packaging if unsure |
