Safe Snoozing Starts With These Extra Comfy Baby Sleep Sacks

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Baby sleep sacks, also known as wearable blankets, have been an essential parenting item ever since the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) cautioned against leaving loose blankets in your baby’s crib. They’re one of the most-registered for items, above even onesies. They’re versatile, safe, and easy to use.

It should be noted that within the past few years, weighted sleep sacks have gained in popularity, but the AAP states that those are unsafe and should not be used, so they will not appear on this list. To be on the safe side and make sure you know everything about keeping your little one safe while slumbering, we spoke to the expert on baby sleep health, Dr. Harvey Karp, M.D., author of The Happiest Baby on the Block.

What to Consider

According to Karp, “There’s nothing wrong with using a blanket to swaddle your baby — parents have been swaddling from scratch for centuries! But using a simple, zip-up sleep sack can make the origami-like task of baby-wrapping a whole lot easier for sleep-deprived parents.”

Fit

Parents and Karp understand that “sacks add a little extra parental peace of mind, since they can’t unravel and accidentally get wrapped around the baby’s face,” which is why they should fit properly. Alas, there’s no universal sizing, so you have to check and double-check.

He adds that “like blankets, baby sleep sacks are designed to hold the arms nice and snug, while still allowing the baby’s hips enough room for full motion. This is important because if parents inadvertently wrap the blanket too tightly, it can actually hurt the baby’s developing hip joint.”

Style

There are several basic styles of sleep sack to choose from, and depending on age and your baby's likes and dislikes, one may be more suited than the other.

• Armless: These are great for babies who are too old for a swaddle, or they don't like having their arms wrapped up. They come in a variety of fabrics designed for a variety of environments.

• Sleeved: These can be either full sleeves like the Halo Transition, or more confined like the Swaddle Up.

• Combination: These combine the best of both worlds. Baby's arms can be confined or loose, depending on their preference and age, like this one from The Happiest Baby.

Ease for Parents

And let’s not forget, it’s a baby who’s wearing this. Baby sleep sacks should be easy to open for diaper changes, such as the Primary sleep sack, and easy to clean when the inevitable leak or blowout happens, like the TILLYOU sleep sack. Price is important too, but you'll find that some of the pricier sleep sacks offer features like shaped arms and natural fibers.

How We Chose

I spoke to parents, retailers, and manufacturers to find the easiest, best, and safest sleep sacks on the market. They were evaluated for ease of opening, ease of cleaning, value, and how long it takes babies to get out of each baby sleep sack. (It will happen eventually, and sadly, duct tape is frowned upon.)

It should be noted that all of these sleep sacks are in compliance with the American Academy of Pediatrics' (AAP) recent guidance regarding safe baby sleeping that discourages the use of any type of weighted sleeper.

5-Second Baby Swaddle

Designed by Dr. Karp himself, this lightweight baby sleep sack swaddles your child in just 5 seconds. It's made with 100% organic cotton, and it can be used with the arms tucked inside or with the arms free, making it the perfect transitional piece.

Also, it cleans up so easily. I've tested this swaddle myself, and I could get even the gnarliest spit-up off of the swaddle.

The inside of this sleep sack is buttery-soft, with the seams tucked away to keep them from causing irritation. The shoulder space in this model is a parent favorite, because it's more roomy than many others.

More: Put Your Baby to Sleep Safely in These Bassinets

Baby Sleep Sack

This sleep sack is newer on the market, but is becoming a favorite among parents whose kids like just enough wiggle room to get comfortable, but enough swaddle to feel like they’re being hugged.

Our tester loved that it was super easy to transition between arms in and arms out, and that you can change a diaper with their arms confined thanks to the fact that it’s a bottom-up zipper. As she said to me: “Way less likely for them to get their hand in their messy diaper that way.”

Made of cotton, there are two warmth levels available to keep baby’s core warm, but not overheated. It washes like a dream, and just gets softer every time you do launder it, according to our tester.

Baby Sleeping Bag

Aden + Anais makes some of the most-popular muslin swaddle blankets of the past 20 years. Their sleeping bags are made of a sturdier muslin as their swaddle blankets, and it's every bit as high-quality and breathable as their original product.

When I sent it to a tester to try it, he was quick to remark on how soft the sleep sack is. He told me that it feels lovely against the skin, but also feels “like it’s going to last.” The seams are covered and comfortable, and also reinforced.

Like many others on this list, it’s a bottom-up zipper, making changing baby’s diaper easier when you want to just do it quickly.

Zipadee-Zip Transition Swaddle

If you ever wondered what your baby would look like as a starfish, wonder no more. The Zipadee-Zip transition swaddle sleep sack splays your baby out like a starfish to give them the feeling of being confined, but the ability to push themselves back over or up, if they roll on their tummy in the night. It’s extremely stretchy material, giving plenty of give but a hug-like fit.

When I tested this out, I almost perished for how cute it was. My little niece was the sweetest starfish ever. That wasn’t even the best part, though. Because it’s an easy change, bottom-up zipper, with closed arms, I was able to change my niece quickly, and even though she did her best to wiggle away, she was going nowhere fast, but I was able to see how she could maneuver herself if she needed to do so.

Unisex Baby Premium Quilted Long Sleeve Sleeping Bag

When my son was a baby, he wanted sleeves. I have heard from a ton of other parents that this wearable blanket with sleeves makes life so much easier at bedtime. They can wear this blanket only with a diaper, they have arm coverage and arm movement, and the quilted blanket bottom keeps them warm and toasty while staying safe.

Sleep Sack with Legs

Yes, this thing looks really goofy. There’s no doubt about it. However, it’s incredibly useful. It’s a transitional sleep sack that has feet for kids who want that sleep sack feeling, but need more independence.

It’s great for potty-training, it’s great for kids in toddler beds, it’s a necessary step for many kids who are accustomed to the sleep sack experience. It’s a warm sleeping sack, perfect for cooler rooms, so keep that in mind when you’re buying it.

Muslin Sleep Sack

Primary does baby stuff so well, and this baby sleep sack is no exception. It comes in a fun pattern, is easy to wash, and is easy to get on and off. It’s also affordable yet doesn’t skimp on quality, which is crucial.

Having wrestled my chubby little nephew into this sleep sack more than a few times, I can tell you that it’s spectacularly successful at keeping babies confined and comfortable.

Baby Beekeeper Wearable Blanket

Treat your babe’s delicate skin to this 100% organic cotton sleep sack from Burt’s Bees. The inverted zipper, accessible from both the top and the bottom of the sack, means quick-and-easy diaper changes.

Adorned with sweet little bees, this cozy insulated sack will keep the chill out and the warmth in for a comfortable, blanket-free night's rest.

Baby Sleep Sack

Your baby will be absolutely obsessed with the plush softness of this merino wool-lined sleeping sack from Woolino.

Breathable and designed to be worn all the way up to 2 years old, the Woolino sleeping sack keeps your babe's temperature regulated throughout the seasons without the hassle of blankets. Your babe can move from the crib to the car and back again with the easy-to-use seatbelt slots on the front.

SleepSack Micro-Fleece Swaddle

The Halo SleepSack is made of cozy micro-fleece, and it's the only swaddle that adjusts three ways to fit your baby as they grow.

Your baby can keep their arms in or out, so it will never feel too constricting. Then, when your baby gets bigger, it can be used as a wearable blanket.

Easy Transition Sleepsack Wearable Blanket

When your little one is beyond the swaddling stage but still has the startling reflex (also known as the Moro reflex) between 2 and 4 months, the HALO Easy Transition SleepSack is a sanity saver that helps prevent them from jolting out of peaceful sleep.

The stretchy cotton allows your baby to comfortably move their limbs, while the snug arm sleeves help control their startle reflex so that your babe can rest easy.

Swaddle UP

Since some babies like to sleep with their hands up in the air and near their faces, the Love to Dream Swaddle Up allows your baby to safely place their hands and arms in a comfortable position while limiting their Moro reflex.

As your newborn is getting used to sleeping outside of the womb, this swaddle sleep sack encourages them to embrace self-soothing by giving their tiny hands free rein. Parents love how this gives them the option to immobilize their little ones without them knowing it.

All Season Micro-Fleece Baby Sleep Sack

This extra-roomy sleep sack is the perfect blanket replacement for a baby who’s totally anti-swaddle. Made of soft and breathable micro-fleece material, your little angel will feel cozy from summer to winter.

It’s one of Amazon’s most popular sleep sacks — and parents just love how durable it is. You can wash and dry this a million times, and it just gets softer.

Reviewers also love how big the bottom of this sleep sack is, noting that babies have plenty of space to kick around, and even pull themselves up as they learn to stand.

Sleep Nest Baby Sleeping Bag

Your baby isn't old enough for sleepovers just yet, so for now, zip her up in this quilted sleep nest that looks just like a sleeping bag. The handy shoulder snaps make getting them into the bag a total snap. It's perfect for camping and cool nights, too.

Unisex Babies’ Microfleece Sleepbag Wearable Blanket

Babies keep toasty and safe with this pair of affordable sleep sacks from Carter's. The adorable animal print sleeper is essentially a blanket with sleeves, making it wonderful for cooler environments or babies who don't love wearing anything under their sleeper.

This is pure convenience. Throw it over a diaper and you're good. Parents love how much use they get out of these, because they're really a one-step sleep sack with a clever bottom-up zipper for easy diaper changes.

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