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Keep babies safe, secure and soothed with our pick of the best swaddle blankets and sleeping bags.

Sorted for Moses baskets and carriers? Next on the essential list is bedding! Swaddling is the age-old practice of wrapping your baby up like a burrito to keep them cosy and calm. The earliest records of swaddled infants dates back to over 4,000 years ago, so the concept is nothing new! But thanks to developments in baby kit, fast-forward to 2022 and you can now buy pre-made swaddle wraps in super-soft breathable fabric with Velcro or zipper closures.

But with so much sleepwear on the market to choose from, it can be tricky to decide what's right for your new baby. From safety advice to the best swaddles to shop, we'll help you get started.

Wrapping your little one up extra tight comes with a number of benefits. Anecdotally swaddling has been found to soothe a colicky baby, and it can also help to prevent face scratching and keep your tot warm until their internal thermostat kicks in.

‘Swaddling can help your baby feel safe and secure by mimicking the feeling of being held, which if you have a newborn, you will know they love!’ says Sarah Patel, a certified baby and toddler sleep consultant and expert at The Baby Show. ‘Swaddling can also be really handy if your baby is struggling with the startle reflex and they are waking themselves up with flailing arms and legs.'

Some parents swear by the soothing powers of a tightly fitted blanket during the early days. However, it isn't for every baby, so don't be alarmed if your little one rejects swaddling in favour of stretching out. Every child is different when it comes to how they feel most comfortable.

If you'd prefer to try a traditional muslin swaddle, perfecting your burrito wrapping skills might be tricky at first, but it only takes a few steps. Midwife and parenting expert Marley Hall has provided the following how-to tips:

There are a few sleep tips it is worth following to ensure your little one stays safe in their cocoon. The Lullaby Trust recommends the following safety guidelines for baby swaddling:

A baby swaddle is designed to be used instead of duvets or top sheets, so you do not need to use extra bedding. Some sleeping bags and swaddles are given a tog rating according to the warmth they provide – and the higher the tog rating, the warmer the bedding. Choose the right swaddle for your newborn based on the temperature of the nursery (or the room they sleep in!) and the following tog ratings:

We've rounded up the best baby swaddles on the market to keep your little burrito snug, cosy and calm. Our edit also includes baby sleeping bags that can help your tot transition to traditional bedding.

Thanks to adjustable fasteners, this versatile three-way swaddle can be modified to fit your baby's sleep style. You can wrap your little one up with arms in to minimise startle reflex, hands-to-face for a womb-like foetal feeling, or with one or both arms out if your baby prefers to sleep like a little starfish. It comes in different sizes depending on baby's weight and our mum tester gave it extra credits for taller tots who keep growing out of their sleeping bags.

Tog: 1.5 Fabric: 100% cotton Size: Available in 0-3 months and 3-6 months

This soft baby swaddle comes in a clever pocket design, which means you don't need to worry about restricting baby's arms. But most of all we love the fact that you can personalise it with the little one's name – a great gift for new parents.

Tog: Suitable all year round Fabric: 100% cotton Size: One size, suitable from birth

This bear-print baby bedding is a great halfway house between blanket and swaddle – the top half opens out for easy tucking, and it's simple and quick to do. Extra room in the bottom half also supports healthy hip development. Sweet dreams.

Tog: Suitable all year round Fabric: 100% cotton Size: Suitable from 0-3 months

Super durable but gentle to the touch, this fox-print muslin blanket can be folded and used for swaddling without the need for zips or Velcro. A versatile buy, muslin blankets also double up as a useful buggy sun shade or a comforter. Just remember to buy multiple blankies in case you lose one.

Tog: Suitable all year round Fabric: 100% cotton Size: One size, suitable from birth

Made from super-soft organic cotton and bamboo, this swaddle bag from Baby Mori is suitable for newborns from 15 days up to 2-3 months depending on how fast your mimi-me develops. Our panel of mum testers particularly liked the adjustable arm poppers which come in handy as your baby grows, and you can personalise this one too!

Tog: Suitable all year round Fabric: 30% cotton and 70% bamboo fabric Size: Suitable for newborns from 15 days up to 12lbs

This bestselling swaddle by Australian baby sleep experts Love To Dream features the brand's patented Arms Up wing design, enabling starfish-loving tots to snooze in their natural position. Made from cotton with a hint of elastane for extra stretch, thanks to additional arm room baby can self-soothe all night long, and you can (hopefully) get more sleep.

Tog: 1.0 Fabric: 93% cotton and 7% elastane Size: Suitable for newborns

This 100% cotton swaddle has been designed to keep your little one's legs in the correct position, allowing their hips to develop properly. It also comes with removable leg pouches for late-night nappy changes, plus arm pockets that help to mimic a natural foetal position to help soothe your little one. Plus it's suitable for swings and rockers, so baby can nap while you squeeze in a quick HIIT class.

Tog: Suitable all year round Fabric: 100% cotton Size: Suitable for newborns

This medium tog zip-up baby bedding by Newcastle brand Tommee Tippee combines the snug comfort of swaddling with the ease of a sleeping bag. The two-way zip means fast night nappy changes, even when you're operating at half speed (we know that feeling) and the panda print is super-cute too. And for growing tots, it comes in bigger sizes too.

Tog: 2.5 Fabric: 70% bamboo and 30% cotton Size: Available in 0-4 months and 3-9 months

Purists will love using this printed swaddle to wrap, tuck and comfort baby without the fuss of zips and toggles. Made from 100 per cent cotton muslin, it doubles up as a burp cloth, nursing cover and general baby wipe and comes in a range of designs including butterflies, flowers and jungle cats. Sold.

Tog: Suitable all year round Fabric: 100% cotton Size: Suitable for newborns

This Velcro fastening three-pack is an easy entry point for parents new to swaddling. Made from pure organic cotton, you simply secure them at the front for a cosy snooze. You can also buy loose muslin swaddles in the same print. Sleep tight!

Tog: Suitable all year round Fabric: 100% cotton Size: Suitable for newborns

This versatile baby sleeping bag gives you the option to swaddle your baby or let their arms roam free. The travel-friendly shape also works well in the car seat or buggy. Freedom of movement at hip-level means they'll always have room to grow. We love the matching baby nest in the same botanical print too.

Tog: 2.5 Fabric: Dupont Sorona – a hypoallergenic and sustainable fibre Size: Suitable from 0-4 months

This double-layered pure cotton muslin sleeping bag comes with chin guards to prevent rubbing and double underarm poppers to keep baby extra snug. And if you've mastered the art of baby-wrapping, you can also buy matching muslin swaddles in the same super-cute grey star print.

Tog: 2.5 Fabric: 100% cotton Size: Suitable from 0-6 months

Designed to help baby transition from swaddle to sleeping bag as they grow, this one comes with Love to Dream's signature wings but they can be removed as baby starts to move about more. Our mum loved the stretchy fabric which kept its softness after multiple washes.

Tog: 1 Fabric: 93% cotton and 7% elastane Size: Suitable from 3-6 months

If your little one needs a nudge in the right direction at bedtime, you can now teach them to associate bath time with sleep using this cute swaddle towel. Wrap baby up to transfer them from bath into their sleep swaddling blanket and boost your chances of getting some rest. For help creating a sleepy ambiance, add this Night Light to your cart too.

Tog: Suitable all year round, but not for sleeping Fabric: ‎80% polyester and 20% polyamide Size: Suitable from 0-6 months