As a new parent, figuring out what baby gear you need can be overwhelming. One item that many parents find essential, especially in the early months, is the baby swaddle. Swaddling can help soothe your little one and aid in sleep. But how many swaddles do you really need? The number can vary based on your baby’s size and age.
Why Swaddle?
Swaddling recreates the snug environment of the womb and can help calm your newborn. By restricting movement, swaddling prevents your baby from startling themselves awake. It has been shown to help babies sleep more soundly both during the day and at night. Swaddling may also help reduce colic symptoms.
Most experts recommend swaddling your baby until they show signs of wanting to roll over, which is around 2-3 months. At this point, you’ll want to transition to arms-free sleep for safety. But during the newborn period, swaddling is a useful tool to help your little one sleep comfortably.
Swaddle Sizing
Swaddles come in a range of sizes to accommodate newborns through around 3-6 months. Here are the typical size ranges:
- Newborn size: Designed for babies 0-3 months old who weigh up to 12 pounds.
- Small size: Fits babies around 2-4 months old who weigh up to 16 pounds.
- Medium size: For babies 3-6 months old weighing 12-18 pounds.
- Large size: For babies 6-9 months old over 18 pounds.
Keep in mind that sizing varies by brand and your baby’s unique proportions. Some newborns may need a small size right away, while others fit well in newborn sizing for several months.
How Many Newborn Size Swaddles
In the early newborn days, you’ll be going through multiple swaddles per day. Here’s an estimate of how many newborn size swaddles you may need:
- 5-7: For a breastfed baby who spits up frequently
- 7-10: For formula fed baby who may have more blowouts
- 10-12: For parents who don’t want to be doing laundry every day
Some parents find it convenient to have 2-3 swaddles per crib sheet set so they can be changed together when soiled. Having extra newborn swaddles allows you to always have a clean one handy even with frequent changing.
Washing and Reusing Swaddles
Many swaddle blankets are made from cotton, muslin or other fabrics that are machine washable and reusable. As long as they aren’t heavily soiled, most swaddles can be used for multiple wearing before washing. But you’ll still go through them quickly with a newborn.
Some parents designate certain swaddles for nighttime use only since baby may not need a change overnight. This allows preserving some clean swaddles for the next day. But don’t feel bad changing a swaddle even if your baby only wore it for a nap; keeping your baby comfortable and clean is top priority.
How Many Small Size Swaddles
Once your baby grows out of their newborn swaddles at around 2-3 months, you can transition to small size. Here’s a guideline for how many to have on hand:
- 4-5: For a baby who rarely spits up or has blowouts
- 7-8: For average everyday use
- 10-12: For parents who hate doing laundry!
At this stage, babies are less prone to frequent spitting up or diaper leaks. But small swaddles can still get soiled during the day or night. Having extras allows you to easily swap in a clean one when needed.
Transition Time
Around 2-3 months, you may find your baby is breaking free from their swaddle at night as their mobility increases. This is a sign it’s time to transition to arms-free sleep. But you can continue using a swaddle for naps a bit longer if needed.
Some parents use transitional swaddles with zip-off arm openings to help baby adjust. Having a few small size transitional swaddles can be useful during this in-between phase.
How Many Medium Size Swaddles
By 3-6 months, most babies have outgrown the swaddle for overnight sleep. However, medium size swaddles can still be useful for naps at this stage. Here’s an estimate of how many you may need:
- 2-3: For occasional naps
- 5-6: For parents who want the option to swaddle for most naps
At this age, many babies are sleeping for shorter stretches during the day so a swaddle likely won’t get soiled. A few medium swaddles should meet your daytime swaddling needs.
Phasing Out Swaddling
After 6 months, you can phase out swaddling altogether as baby becomes more mobile. If you feel your little one still relies on the swaddle for quality naps, you may decide to continue but stop any time beyond this point.
Alternative nap transition tools like sleep sacks allow for more mobility while still giving the snugness babies find comforting.
Fabric Considerations
Swaddle fabrics can impact how many you need. Very light muslin or gauze may not be as absorbent while fleece or jersey cotton hold up better to spills but can get warm. Knit blends are a lightweight, breathable option.
Think about your climate and seasons too. In very hot weather, you may want more muslin swaddles that breathe better. In colder months, velour and thicker cottons keep baby cozy. It’s helpful to have a variety of fabric options.
Specialty Swaddles
There are many specialty swaddle styles beyond basic blankets. These include:
- Velcro swaddles: These have Velcro straps to secure baby snugly without escape. However, Velcro can wear out with frequent washing.
- Zipper swaddles: Like Velcro styles but with a zipper for secure closure and adjustable sizing.
- Wearable swaddles: Essentially a swaddle sleep sack with arm restrictions to mimic wrapped pressure.
If choosing a specialty style, you may need fewer since they are more durable with less risk of loosening. But havingbackups is still a good idea in case of spills or washing waits.
Other Swaddling Essentials
In addition to swaddle blankets in multiple sizes, here are some other useful items:
- Swaddle transition aids: Zip-off swaddles, transitional sleep sacks, etc. to help baby adjust to arms-free sleep.
- Swaddle wraps: Stretchy fabric wraps provide an adjustable swaddling option.
- Swaddle sleeves: Goes around arms to lightly restrict movement while allowing some wiggle room.
Having a variety of swaddling tools allows you to find the method your baby responds to best. This can minimize frustration when transitioning away from full swaddling.
The Takeaway
Here are some key points on how many swaddles you’ll need at each stage:
- Have at least 7-10 newborn size swaddles for frequent changing in the early months.
- Around 4-8 small size swaddles are useful as baby begins growing out of newborn sizing.
- A few medium size swaddles can be used for continued napping/transitional purposes.
- Fabric, specialty style, and seasons impact ideal quantity. Plan for flexibility!
Don’t stress about the exact number. Every baby (and parent!) is different. Some trial and error will help you find the right amount of swaddles to keep your little one clean, cozy and comfortable.
