It’s kind of cold now (at least for some parts of the United States). And while adults break out their Snuggie, babies and toddlers can bundle up in their swaddles and sleepsacks.
Wearable blankets are a functional and practical (not to mention adorable) way to keep your baby cozy as the temperature drops, especially since loose blankets in a crib can be a safety hazard. And when your baby gets older, sleepsacks also keep them warm since they’re likely to kick off their blankets at night.
My kids have grown up in Halo SleepSacks, starting from the swaddle when they were newborns to the big kid sleepsack, which has two openings for their feet so they can walk around (which is pretty darn cute, in my opinion). With two holes for their arms, the sleepsack zips up in the front, keeping their body warm even if they flail around in their sleep. The only challenge was when our kids became older and realized they could unzip themselves — in which case, I started putting the sleepsack on them backward.
We’ve relied on Halo’s micro-fleece sleepsacks — that’s what the brand is known for — but Halo also produces a cotton muslin sleepsack.
Many parents also swear by Woolino, a premium line of sleepsacks that babies and toddlers can wear year-round. Made with merino wool, the material is breathable and lightweight, and supposed to keep the body’s temperature regulated so that it’s not too hot in the summer and not too cold in the winter.
I love the adorable prints on the sleeping sacks and swaddles made by SwaddleDesigns, like this hedgehog one. SwaddleDesigns sleeping sacks are made in a variety of fabrics, including a lightweight muslin, a cozy flannel, and a soft velvet. It also makes several different swaddle designs, including the Omni Swaddle Sack, with snug sleeves (not just holes for the arms) and the option to either wrap the baby in a swaddle or let the baby sleep with their arms up and out.
Depending on the parent you talk to, you’ll hear that the Baby Merlin helped their baby sleep through the night — or that it did nothing. Very thick and snug so that it’s hard to move, the sleepsuit is meant to keep your baby from startling and waking up while also keeping them snug at night.