Swaddle blankets are used to safely wrap a baby for sleep—or to help upset babies calm down. Using a swaddle blanket helps to limit your baby’s startle reflex, which can wake them. Swaddling also mimics the snug hug of the womb, offering a sense of safety, security, and familiarity…which also boosts sleep. It’s no wonder that swaddling is the first S of the 5 S’s for calming babies! The womb-like sensation activates Baby’s inborn calming reflex, or their natural “off switch” for fussing and “on switch” for sleep. (It’s important to remember that swaddling outside of SNOO should alway end as soon as Baby can roll.)
If you’re swaddling your baby, which Dr. Harvey Karp highly recommends, it’s imperative that you use a blanket specifically designed for swaddling. Swaddling your baby in a blanket that’s too big or too small can unravel, putting your baby at risk for suffocation. And wrapping your baby in a blanket that’s too thick can cause dangerous overheating. Remember: One of the cardinal rules of safe sleep is to keep your baby’s bassinet or crib free of any loose bedding, including comforters, quilts, and blankets. Only a properly wrapped swaddle blanket or a sleep sack are safe and recommended.
The best blanket for traditional swaddling is a 100% organic muslin cotton blanket that’s roughly a 47-inch square. The loose, breathable weave keeps babies super comfortable—and cotton muslin is a surprising durable fabric that gets softer and softer after every wash! (For a modern take on swaddling that trades complicated folding for Velcro bands and a two-way zipper, we also offer our award-winning organic cotton Sleepea 5-Second Swaddle that takes all the guesswork out of swaddling Baby.)
Swaddle blankets can vary in size, but usually range from a 40-by-40-inch square to a 48-inch square. Our traditional Happiest Baby swaddle blanket is a 47-by-47-inch square and designed to be the perfect size to create the DUDU swaddle, made famous by our very own Dr. Harvey Karp.
Yes! Our swaddle blanket is made from 100% GOTS certified muslin cotton, ensuring that only the softest most breathable swaddle blanket touches your baby’s skin!
The Happiest Baby swaddle blanket comes in four classic, gender-neutral designs that every baby will love: gray stars, watercolor black hearts, muted black and white stripes, black and gray galaxy, and watercolor black polka dots.
Yes! The Happiest Baby swaddle is lightweight and breathable, which reduces the chance that your baby will become too hot while sleeping—making it the ideal summertime swaddle blanket. (In warm weather, simply dress your little one in a short-sleeve bodysuit beneath their and light muslin swaddle. And keep the room temperature at an ideal 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.)
Yes, a lightweight, breathable swaddle is ideal no matter the weather! On cooler days and nights, simply dress your baby in a long-sleeve bodysuit or footie pajamas beneath their 100% cotton Happiest Baby swaddle. And be sure to keep Baby’s room at a safe-sleep temperature between 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit.
Dr. Harvey Karp recommends something called the DUDU swaddle method. DUDU stands for Down-Up-Down-Up. Here’s how to do it. (For more detailed DUDU how-tos, see Dr. Harvey Karp’s swaddling guide.)
Step 1: D - DOWN: Spread the swaddle blanket out like a diamond. Fold that top down so it reaches the center of the blanket. Place Baby on the swaddle, so their neck sits just above the fold.
Hold Baby’s right arm against their side, grab the blanket 3 to 4 inches from their right shoulder, and pull it tightly down and across their body. (It’ll look like half of a V-neck.) Keeping the blanket taut, finish pulling it all the way down and tuck it under the left side of your baby’s bum and lower back. While firmly holding the blanket against Baby’s left hip, grab the top edge of the blanket next to the unwrapped shoulder and give it a tug. Pull the blanket tightly, removing any slack.
Step 2: U - UP: Straighten Baby’s left arm against her side and bring the bottom of the blanket straight up to cover the arm. The bottom blanket point should reach over Baby’s left shoulder. Tightly tuck this corner under Baby’s left arm. While holding that arm down, grab the blanket next to Baby’s left shoulder and tug, removing any slack.
Step 3: D - Down: Still holding the blanket about three inches from Baby’s left shoulder, pull the blanket taut and down…but only a smidge. (Here, you only pull a bit of fabric down over Baby’s left shoulder to the upper chest, making the second half of the V-neck.) Using your left hand, hold that small fold of blanket pressed against Baby’s breastbone, like you’re holding down a ribbon while making a bow.
Step 4: U - UP: Still grasping that fold, use your other hand to grab the last free corner of the blanket. Pull it firmly and straight out to your right. Holding the tension, lift the corner in one smooth motion, up and bring it tightly across Baby’s waist. Wrap that bit around Baby’s body—over the forearms—like a belt. Give the “belt” one last tight pull to remove any slack before tucking it in.
